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Abstract
Background: Agriculture is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. Therefore, numerous studies have assessed the factors motivating farmers to introduce environmental practices. However, the determinants of farmers’ decisions to reduce carbon emissions in line with the new net-zero goal are not well-understood. Methods: This study aimed to explore factors affecting UK farmers’ adoption of carbon emissions reduction practices using a mixed method approach based on 101 online survey responses. The survey questionnaire included a combination of closed and open-ended questions. Three additional in-depth interviews were conducted. No responses were obtained from farmers in NI. The respondents were from all farming sectors with majority being cereal growers and lowland livestock farmers. Factors explored include a range of motivating factors, perceived barriers to adoption of carbon emission reduction practices, farmers perceived behavioural control and farmers innovativeness. Attributes of farm and farmer such as location, farm type, farm size, age, and level of education Results: Multiple linear regression analysis shows that 31.5% of farmer’s adoption of carbon emissions reduction practices can be explained by five factors, which are farm size, financial incentives, farmers innovativeness, farmers perceived behavioural control and crop farming only. Further cluster analysis showed a typology of four categories of farmers with Early Adopters and Late Majorities reporting more actions in reducing carbon emissions than innovators, and Laggards taking fewest or no actions at all. Larger farmers and crop farmers are more likely to take more actions than animal and mixed farmers. Those who take less or no actions in reducing carbon emissions in farms were more likely to believe that there is not much farmers can do. Qualitative data analysis suggests that more accessible information and knowledge transfer should be provided to unlock the potential of achieving Net Zero target by 2050.