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

National Trust inks Wildfarmed deal to sell scones made from regenerative flour

National Trust inks Wildfarmed deal to sell scones made from regenerative flour

National Trust to offer scones, brownies, and cakes made using Wildfarmed's regenerative ingredients across its estate from next month

Stuart Stone
clock 12 June 2026 • 2 min read
Could solar farms on rewetted peatlands deliver a win-win for biodiversity?

Could solar farms on rewetted peatlands deliver a win-win for biodiversity?

German study finds solar projects on rewetted peatlands can provide valuable habitats for rare bird species

clock 09 June 2026 • 2 min read
Blue Belt: Montserrat becomes latest UK overseas territory to join conservation initiative

Blue Belt: Montserrat becomes latest UK overseas territory to join conservation initiative

UK's Blue Belt Programme marks 10 years of delivery, with more than four million square kilometres of ocean now protected globally

Stuart Stone
clock 08 June 2026 • 4 min read