The Key Sustainability Challenges Facing UK Agriculture & Farming

Agriculture sits at the heart of the UK’s sustainability journey. It not only provides food and livelihoods but also has a profound impact on climate, biodiversity, and the health of our natural resources. As the sector works toward net zero targets and adapts to changing consumer demands, farmers face several pressing challenges.

Decades of intensive farming have left many UK soils depleted. Loss of organic matter, erosion, and compaction reduce fertility and productivity. Without healthy soils, yields drop, carbon storage capacity falls, and biodiversity suffers. Regenerative farming and better land management are now critical to reversing this decline (Parliamentary Office of Science & Technology).

Agriculture accounts for a significant share of water use in the UK, particularly in drought-prone areas like the South East. With climate change making rainfall less predictable, farmers must adapt through smarter irrigation, rainwater harvesting, and crop choices that require less water.

Farming is a major source of methane (from livestock) and nitrous oxide (from fertilisers). The sector contributes around 12% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions (UK Government, Agri-environment statistics). While progress is being made through feed innovations and better manure management, reducing emissions without hurting productivity remains a tough balance (Agri-Climate Report 2024).

Monocropping, pesticide use, and habitat loss have contributed to declining pollinator populations and wider ecosystem stress. Biodiversity is not just a “nice to have” — it underpins resilient food production. Farms that restore hedgerows, wetlands, and wildflower margins can help bring back ecological balance.

Perhaps the greatest challenge of all is finding ways to feed a growing population while cutting emissions, protecting water, and rebuilding nature. Farmers are under pressure to remain profitable while also meeting rising sustainability standards from government, retailers, and consumers. The NFU has even questioned whether its own 2040 net zero target for farming is realistic without radical change (BBC News).

UK farming is at a crossroads. The challenges are complex, but they also present opportunities: healthier soils, cleaner water, and climate-smart farming methods can secure both food security and environmental resilience.

This is the first in our UK Agriculture & Farming Sustainability series. In the next post, we’ll explore how regulations are reshaping the sector and what farmers need to know.