Yesterday, EFG held its Fifth Members’ Meeting at Codford Village Hall, Wiltshire. Over 80 people attended the event (also held virtually) with a range of interesting speakers. EFG Chair Rob Shepherd opened proceedings with an update on nutrient neutrality and EFG’s work on this subject. EFG board member Colin Smart then provided an update on EFG’s growth strategy, with EFG now reaching over 240 farmers covering 120,000ha in several regions of England.
EFG welcomed three guest speakers: Phoebe Tucker from the Green Finance Institute (GFI), Professor Mark Kibblewhite from MK Soil Science, and Robert Nightingale from Frontier. Phoebe gave an overview of GFI’s work in the natural capital sector and with farmers, demonstrating the long-term opportunities available to farmers. Mark provided an interesting update from his ‘reconnaissance mission’ of soil carbon providers and the next steps for EFG. Robert outlined how Frontier were approaching their carbon emissions reductions requirements, including the value of natural capital assets held by farmers.
Teresa Dent, Chief Executive of the GWCT, then demonstrated to members how EFG is beginning to build the ‘investible landscape’ through its catchment-scale conservation plans, providing buyers with opportunities for offsetting and becoming ‘nature positive’. Christopher Sparrow, Managing Director of Natural Capital Advisory, closed proceedings with an update on the commercial context, outlining the multiple trading opportunities being handled by the team.
We look forward to the next Members Meeting in December.