Update on Carbon Audits pause

The Farm Advisory Service (FAS) has received a strong uptake in Carbon Audits.

To allow the service to manage this high demand, and the Scottish Government to adjust available resources, new applications for FAS Carbon Audits were paused on 23 September 2024. Existing applications will be processed and honoured as usual.

This pause will allow time to process outstanding applications, and a further update on the next steps will be shared in due course. Farmers and crofters seeking assistance with Carbon Audits after 23 September can apply through Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) and advice on carrying out a Carbon Audit is available on the FAS website.

The strong uptake in FAS Carbon Audits demonstrates the credibility of FAS Carbon Audits and the strong relationship FAS has with the sector.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands Mairi Gougeon said:

“I am delighted to see the current high demand for FAS Carbon Audits from farmers and crofters. FAS has played a central role in supporting farmers and crofters in preparing for the Whole Farm Plan. This includes providing easy access to information and updates, support for Carbon Audits, and Specialist Advice on biodiversity and soil nutrition.

Seeing high uptake of this support means farmers and crofters are engaged and informed as we move towards our ambitions for the Whole Farm Plan in 2025, and I thank every farmer and crofter who has been involved.

Carbon audits play a key role in Scotland becoming a global leader in sustainable and regenerative agriculture. While applications to FAS Carbon Audits are paused, I would encourage farmers and crofters to access the resources available to them through the PSF and FAS resources".

Additional Support and Information:

You can additional support and information at the following links:

Preparing for Sustainable Farming (ruralpayments.org)

Preparing For The Future | Helping farmers in Scotland 

Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) How to Get Started with Carbon Audits

Further questions:

If you have any further questions, you can contact the advice line by emailing advice@fas.scot or by calling 0300 3230161.

Further support with your Carbon Audit through PSF is also available from your nearest RPID Area Office