Zoom in on Net Zero - with UCL sustainable agriculture expert Dr Carole Dalin

James Murray
clock • 1 min read

VIDEO: Principal research fellow at UCL's Institute for Sustainable Resources chats to James Murray about decarbonising agriculture and food

Dr Carole Dalin is principal research fellow at University College London's (UCL) Institute for Sustainable Resources, and an independent research fellow at the Natural Environment Research Council.

Her work at UCL focuses in particular on water, food trade and agriculture sustainability, and she recently co-authored a fascinating report commissioned by HSBC which looks at the challenges and opportunities for developing a net zero agriculture system in the UK.

The study offers the stark conclusion that urgent action and "tough investment decisions" are needed across the agricultural sector in order to shift farming, food and water onto a climate-friendly footing in line with the National Farming Union's 2040 net zero target, and to bolster resilience against escalating climate risks.

Ahead of BusinessGreen's upcoming Net Zero Nature summit later this month, Dalin spoke to editor in chief James Murray about how serious the growing risks are from water scarcity, the role for farming in supporting nature-based carbon sequestration, the need for dietary shifts away from red meat, and whether the agricultural sector can credibly decarbonise within two - or even three - decades. The conversation can be watched in full above.

Want to find out more about nature's role in the net zero transition? Register now for the inaugural Net Zero Nature virtual summit on May 27th.

More on Biodiversity

Biodiversity Net Gain: Why further exemptions could undermine the government's housing drive

Biodiversity Net Gain: Why further exemptions could undermine the government's housing drive

Government proposals to exempt more developments from BNG rules risk creating abundant green spaces for the wealthy and biodiversity deserts for the poor, writes CIEEM CEO Sally Hayns

Sally Hayns, CIEEM
clock 08 June 2026 • 5 min read
NatureProsperity: Jeremy Leggett launches new nature recovery investment firm

NatureProsperity: Jeremy Leggett launches new nature recovery investment firm

Serial green entrepreneur who founded Solarcentury, SolarAid, and Highlands Rewilding reveals plans for new venture designed to accelerate nature recovery at scale

Michael Holder
clock 08 June 2026 • 2 min read
How a Strategic Nature Network could unlock £600bn in benefits for the UK

How a Strategic Nature Network could unlock £600bn in benefits for the UK

Rebuilding Nature alliance argues co-ordinated approach to connect nature recovery efforts across the country could deliver huge economic, environmental, and societal gains

clock 05 June 2026 • 3 min read