A groundbreaking farming project in Dumfries and Galloway has successfully concluded, aiming to enhance both business and environmental sustainability. The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere Partnership (GSABP) collaborated with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) on this initiative. Last year, the biosphere was selected to participate in an international peer learning project focused on implementing the UN’s sustainable development goals. With a $25,000 grant from UNESCO, funded by the abrdn Charitable Foundation, GSABP embarked on a 12-month project. The project’s objective was to devise a method for assessing natural capital on farms, pilot auditing techniques in real-time, and develop an innovative methodology that could potentially be scaled up nationwide.
The project involved examining six pillars of natural capital, which included aspects such as biodiversity, carbon capture, and soil health. By providing recommendations for each farm, the project aimed to prevent the degradation of natural habitats, enhance soil health, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and boost farm profitability. This methodology equips farm managers with the necessary tools to determine the best practices for their land. Furthermore, a curriculum on natural capital was developed and delivered to HNC Agriculture students at SRUC’s Barony campus near Dumfries.
In the final stages of the project, an international delegation from UNESCO and the abrdn Charitable Foundation met with biosphere trustees. During a one-day conference and tour, various organisations, including NatureScot, the NFUS, the council, and South of Scotland Enterprise, shared their insights. As part of UNESCO’s global knowledge exchange program, representatives from the biosphere’s land use and biodiversity team travelled to Venice to present their findings at the Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe and meet with future recipients of UNESCO/abrdn funding for sustainable development projects.
Director of the Biosphere, Ed Forrest, highlighted the critical significance of evaluating and safeguarding natural capital in the face of climate change and economic uncertainty. He expressed pride in supporting local farming businesses to optimize their operations and raise awareness of the region’s exceptional natural resources. Forrest extended gratitude to UNESCO and the abrdn Charitable Foundation for enabling the creation of a practical toolkit with significant potential for agricultural innovation in Dumfries and Galloway, as well as across Scotland.