Act local – Environmental Farmers Group offers solutions for Humber businesses

Split into regional areas, EFG offers a Membership of progressive farmers who are signed up to deliver EFG’s environmental objectives by trading natural capital through a professional single point of contact. This makes it easier for both the farmer and those looking to purchase natural capital services.  

EFG is looking to achieve its three objectives by trading with buyers: 

• Achieving Carbon Net Zero farming by 2040 – through trading carbon offset credits and carbon emissions reduction credits.
• Biodiversity & Species Recovery – through trading Biodiversity Net Gain units and voluntary biodiversity credits.
• Clean Water – through trading nutrient credits as well as other services provided through nature-based solutions (e.g. Natural Flood Management). 

Built from the bottom up, EFG brings farmers together to create an effective commercial structure at scale. This provides farmers with easier access to a wider marketplace and buyers with the ability to work with many farmers on the ground through a single organisation. 

By joining EFG, farmers have access to a large amount of information and expertise on the natural capital sector as well as ownership of the organisation. EFG acts as a trusted navigator for its farmer members, offering reliable and informed information in a new and fast paced environment. 

Northern Lincolnshire Carbon Project 

The cooperative now has a membership and following of over 500 farmers covering around 340,000ha, which equates to 3.8% of England’s farmed area. Split into regional areas, EFG has an active group of farmers in Northern Lincolnshire.  

This Northern Lincolnshire group have secured a grant from DEFRA which is providing seed funding to develop a mechanism which enables farmers to meet net zero through trading natural capital. The project will enable EFG to deliver an innovative carbon project involving 20 local EFG farmers covering 8000ha, local environmental experts and several national specialist partners. 

Farmers will undertake a carbon emissions audit, followed by above-ground habitat mapping to calculate the amount of carbon being sequestered on each farm. EFG will visit individual farmers to map the potential for changes in land use and farm practice that would reduce farm emissions. By aggregating farm plans, EFG will create a catchment-scale conservation plan for its Northern Lincolnshire area which falls in line with Government targets and local environment management plans. 

Opportunities for businesses in the Humber 

Through Future Humber and other initiatives, Humber businesses have been pushing towards Net Zero, transforming operations, innovating supply chains, and cutting emissions across the board. But as the transition gathers pace, there's a growing opportunity to amplify those efforts by supporting local, land-based solutions. 

Partnering with EFG allows businesses to invest in nature-based solutions within the local landscape, working directly with nature, agriculture, and rural communities to deliver environmental outcomes, right here in Northern Lincolnshire. EFG offers Humber businesses the chance to: 

• Offset residual emissions through verified, nature-based projects on local farms as part of a joined-up, collective effort.
• Support sustainable agriculture and help shape the future of the region’s working countryside.
• Invest in or finance the restoration and protection of local ecosystems, from soil health to water quality to biodiversity.
• Co-fund and collaborate on future projects that deliver measurable outcomes for both nature and business. 

This is an opportunity for Humber businesses to strengthen the local economy, support farmers as stewards of nature, and deliver visible, lasting impact across Humber’s rural landscapes. Join EFG in helping farmers to protect and enhance nature for the public good and contact us at efg@gwct.org.uk or 07521 419039.