Sustainability

New research to tackle cattle methane emissions in Africa

Together with the International Livestock Research Institute, SRUC has been awarded £1.5 million by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help develop a selection index for the smallholder dairy system in the hopes of breeding a more environmentally friendly dairy cow.…

SRUC
13/02/2023

Drainage guru recognised for work to improve sustainability

An agricultural consultant with more than 30 years’ experience of advising farmers has been recognised for his work to improve the sustainability of land use.…

SRUC
06/02/2023

2023 – a big year for biodiversity

SRUC’s Thriving Natural Capital Challenge Centre has been awarded a Natural Environment Research Council grant to focus on network building for nature positive projects - between Scottish biodiversity uplift programmes happening on the ground, and the investment and private finance sector. …

Hannah Rudman
26/01/2023

Agrecalc appoints first CEO

In a major step towards becoming a spin-out company, Agrecalc, the award-winning and market-leading carbon footprint tool developed by SAC Consulting together with SRUC researchers, has appointed its first chief executive.…

SRUC
23/01/2023

Potato conference seeks to boost growers’ confidence amid global challenges

The ongoing impact of the war in Ukraine and the pressure of reducing carbon footprints will be on the agenda when Scotland’s biggest potato conference returns in the new year.…

SRUC
19/12/2022

Pine needles offer key energy solution

A real Christmas tree is the centrepiece of many households’ festive decorations but apart from filling the room with a woody fragrance, pine needles have a key role to play in addressing challenges relating to energy.…

SRUC
15/12/2022

Drones take carbon project to next level

Environmental specialists at SAC Consulting, part of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), are using drone-mounted LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors to estimate above-ground carbon storage in hedges and trees.…

SRUC
06/12/2022

Edible insects: the low carbon snack with big potential

In this blog post, Dr Pattanapong Tiwasing, a researcher at our Rural Policy Centre, highlights the benefits edible insects can bring to our sustainability goals. He also delves into the current status of the insect sector in the UK and beyond, urging policymakers to take action to enable it to survive.…

SRUC
30/11/2022

Carbon management for climate change mitigation

As part of SRUC, SAC Consulting operates alongside and in collaboration with our cutting-edge research units to ensure the development of new and innovative solutions to carbon management problems. Our team is passionate about addressing important carbon management issues and keen to work with clients to achieve climate change mitigation targets.…

Seamus Murphy
18/11/2022

Scotland’s first peatland restoration course

A new course in peatland restoration - the first of its kind in Scotland - has been developed by SRUC in partnership with NatureScot Peatland ACTION.…

SRUC
03/11/2022

Graze Debate 2022

The Graze Debate theme aims to facilitate discussion between pasture-based farmers, researchers and advisors in the pursuit of a sustainable beef and sheep sector in Scotland. …

Poppy Frater
01/11/2022

Sustainable food and drink – why it needs a team of all the talents

SAC Consulting, part of SRUC, has recently expanded its Food & Footprint service, recognising the growing need to offer wide-ranging expertise to equip farmers, food processors and retailers, to tackle some of the major challenges facing the sector around climate change and biodiversity loss.…

SRUC
18/10/2022