Environment

Malting industry targets sustainability by reducing barley's environmental impact

Monday, 28 April 2025 12:12AM UTC

The malting and barley sectors are focusing on sustainable farming practices and innovative research to cut carbon emissions, especially from barley cultivation, which accounts for a significant proportion of malt's environmental footprint. Collaborative efforts aim to achieve net zero emissions by 2030 through improved fertiliser use, soil health, and regenerative agriculture.

The malting and barley cultivation industries are increasingly concentrating efforts on reducing the environmental footprint of their activities, with particular attention being paid to the cultivation of barley, which significantly contributes to the carbon emissions associated with malt production.

According to the Maltsters' Association of Great Britain (MAGB), while the malting process itself has already seen enhancements in energy and water efficiency, barley cultivation remains a critical area for environmental improvement. Barley can represent as much as 65% of the total carbon footprint of the final malt product, with nitrogen fertiliser accounting for up to 43% of these emissions.

MAGB’s environmental strategy outlines the sector’s plans to address these challenges, many of which are spearheaded by member businesses aiming for ambitious sustainability targets, including achieving net zero emissions by 2030. Central to this strategy is collaboration with barley growers to promote agricultural practices that support soil health, increase biodiversity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Among the techniques being explored are the use of low-carbon fertilisers and alternative nitrogen sources, such as digestate solids derived from anaerobic digestion. These innovations seek to lessen reliance on conventional nitrogen fertilisers, which contribute significantly to environmental impact.

At the farm level, existing assurance schemes like Red Tractor and Scottish Quality Crops provide a baseline for environmental standards. However, maltsters are working closely with long-established grower networks to go further, sharing best practices and advocating for regenerative agricultural methods. They also facilitate knowledge exchange through grower groups, fostering community-led progress in sustainable farming.

Research investments play an important role in these endeavours. For instance, a PhD project at the International Barley Hub has been investigating the benefits of undersowing barley with short, herbaceous legumes. This approach aims to reduce the need for artificial nitrogen fertilisers by harnessing the legumes' natural nitrogen-fixing capabilities, decrease herbicide application by suppressing weed growth, and maintain soil cover to prevent erosion.

In addition to academic research, organisations such as the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) continue to support the malt and barley sector by providing independent research, technical advice, benchmarking tools, and comprehensive guidance on sustainable crop production practices.

Through a multifaceted approach focusing on improving the environmental performance of barley cultivation, optimising malting processes, and fostering collaboration throughout the supply chain, the malting industry is working to ensure that malt production remains viable while meeting its environmental responsibilities. This strategy reflects the sector’s commitment to balancing productivity with sustainability as it looks toward the future.

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://grains.org/buying-selling/sustainability/barley-sustainability/ - This URL supports efforts by the barley industry to assess and improve the environmental impact of barley production through collaborations and sustainability initiatives.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9916166/ - It examines the environmental impact of barley production, highlighting the importance of nutrient management scenarios in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which aligns with the industry's focus on reducing carbon footprints.
https://livefarmer.co.uk/the-dark-side-of-barley-farming-7-challenge/ - This article discusses the environmental challenges of barley farming, including the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which corroborates the industry's efforts to adopt more sustainable practices like low-carbon fertilizers.
https://hsat.space/climate-change-and-barley-yield-understanding-the-threats/ - It highlights the environmental consequences of barley yield decline, which underscores the need for sustainable practices to maintain soil quality and biodiversity, aligning with the malt and barley industries' sustainability goals.
https://backend.orbit.dtu.dk/ws/files/162054295/Dijkman_et_al_2017_barley_cultivation_LCA_JCP.pdf - This study assesses the environmental impacts of barley cultivation under current and future climatic conditions, supporting the industry's efforts to mitigate environmental impacts through improved agricultural practices.
https://ahdb.org.uk/ - The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) supports the malt and barley sector with research and guidance on sustainable practices, aligning with the sector's approach to combining productivity with sustainability.
https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikAFBVV95cUxNemdRM3VtbVZlTWJuR3BvSXk4OFQtR3FDT2JFcjRKWnBFa21wY1VDcGZIS1lnVkc3ZkgtWlhaVFhpZEdwbHY1WUtBSzdac0VVcDVUS3oyUzdoNTEtSE8tTGQyR1d2eGlVTlBGamppM3h4ams2V1FIM3VsbTV4WVFGVHQtaHJxUTIyaGg3LXFISHc?oc=5&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en - Please view link - unable to able to access data

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 7

Notes: The narrative references initiatives like net zero targets by 2030 and ongoing research (e.g., PhD project at International Barley Hub), suggesting timeliness. However, without explicit dates or recent developments cited, freshness relies on contextual relevance to current sustainability trends rather than verifiable recency.

Quotes check

Score: 8

Notes: No direct quotes requiring attribution. References to MAGB’s strategy and AHDB’s role use organisational statements consistent with typical industry communications. No originality concerns identified, as claims align with known sustainability practices in agriculture.

Source reliability

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative cites established entities (MAGB, AHDB, Red Tractor) and academic institutions (International Barley Hub), which are credible in the agricultural sector. While the originating publication is unspecified, reliance on recognised organisations enhances reliability.

Plausability check

Score: 9

Notes: Claims about sustainability efforts (low-carbon fertilisers, regenerative agriculture) align with widely reported industry trends. MAGB’s 2030 net zero target and research into nitrogen-fixing legumes reflect plausible, evidence-based strategies for reducing emissions.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative’s claims are consistent with current industry practices and sustainability objectives. Reliance on credible organisations and absence of red flags in timelines or plausibility justify a high-confidence pass, though the lack of explicit dates slightly limits freshness verification.

sustainability
barley cultivation
carbon footprint
malting industry
environmental strategy
agriculture
net zero