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"There are many potential benefits from agroforestry, from a production point of view but also in terms of biodiversity and we know that farming in the future will have to take into account much more than just producing food" Researchers based at the James Hutton Institute have welcomed the publication of the UK Committee on Climate Change’s new report on land use, and have highlighted the potential of agroforestry and peatland restoration to help deliver the major shift in land use that is needed to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The report outlines five objectives for policy

"There are conflicting opinions about how Zero Budget Natural Farming should be developed for widespread use, and this report provides scientific evidence on the potential for scale-up" A new report co-authored by a James Hutton Institute scientist and published in Nature Sustainability examines the potential impacts on food production of Zero Budget Natural Farming, a farming system that is sweeping India. Zero Budget Natural Farming differs from traditional organic farming in that it does not attempt to provide the nutrients needed for crop growth using animal manures, but instead aims to

"SEGS is a hugely important and distinctive capability for the Institute. Tony is an excellent appointment and has lots of ideas about how to build SEGS even further" Dr Tony Craig has been appointed head of the Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences ( SEGS) department, having previously been in the role on an interim basis jointly with Dr Alice Hague. Dr Craig will take the role on a permanent basis at the beginning of April. More information from: Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo, Media Manager, Tel: +44 (0)1224 395089 (direct line), +44 (0)344 928 5428 (switchboard) or +44 (0)7791 193918

"This is a critical time for the environment in Scotland and globally (...) I look forward to working with colleagues in the group to develop our science to help address the key challenges of climate change, the global biodiversity crisis, and developing sustainable farming systems" Professor Rob Brooker has been appointed to the leadership of the Ecological Sciences department at the James Hutton Institute, following the departure of Dr Helaina Black, who has become an Honorary Associate of the Institute. The group carries out research around the world on the ecology of organisms and

"Both IYPH and YCW are especially crucial to galvanise everything that is a factor in plant health and water security, including soil, climate, plant science and water use, so all of these areas of research need to be intensified, redoubled and well-funded to protect people from the negative effects we are seeing already." 2020 is the International Year of Plant Health and Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters, bringing public attention to two huge global challenges and for good reason, say scientists at the James Hutton Institute. More information from: Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo, Media