Banks release funds to help farmers reduce emissions

An increasing number of agricultural workers are said to be keen to adapt their operations in order to boost the air quality around their farms.

NatWest and the Royal Bank of Scotland have made a £50 million fund available to farmers, after research showed 33 per cent of rural dwellers wanted to embrace renewable energy in order to cut down on costs and emissions.

The banks have suggested the bulk of the money will be portioned off to farmers who want to install wind turbines or solar panels.

Representatives have also claimed the initiative could help the UK achieve its target of having 15 per cent of the country's energy consumption deriving from renewable sources by 2020.

Should demand outstrip supply, the organisations have hinted that further funding could be made available and other technology such as hydro energy could be explored in the future.

Earlier this week, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced that changes would be made to agricultural legislation in order to cut red tape for farmers and make it easier for them to run their businesses.

Posted by Joseph Hutton