ClimateXChange has published LUC’s research report into options for decarbonising mobile farm machinery in Scotland.

Our growing team of climate specialists continued its involvement with ClimateXChange using robust methodology and an expert understanding of low-carbon management.

We initially calculated a greenhouse gas (GHG) emission baseline for mobile machinery use. We then used this baseline to estimate the emission saving potential and technical feasibility of various fuel sources. For this purpose, we assessed biodiesel, biomethane, battery electric vehicles (BEV) and hydrogen alternative fuels.

We also explored the potential to decarbonise agricultural machinery across different types of farming found in Scotland.

Our findings

Biomethane offers the highest short-term emission reduction potential, of 77%. This is due to the availability of this technology and its suitability to current farming practices, offering a like-for-like replacement for current diesel machinery.

BEV and green hydrogen offer the highest emission reduction potential by 2035 (98.8% and 94.8% reductions, respectively). This estimate assumes that both technologies will have matured significantly by this point. Both technologies face challenges in their practical implementation across the agricultural sector.

Biomethane and biodiesel may be the favourable alternative fuel option in the short term. In the long term, battery electric and hydrogen will be the preferred technologies as they mature. Emerging solutions need to be evaluated to avoid locking in potentially undesirable technologies.

Short-term uptake of biomethane and biodiesel could be prioritised on dairy farms where there is potential to generate fuel with waste materials. For farms where generating biomethane is not feasible, or access to a collective source of biomethane is not possible, there could be a long-term focus on preparing infrastructure for battery electric vehicles or hydrogen.

Learn more about our carbon and agri-environment work on our website.