A typology of dairy farmer perceptions towards climate change |
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| Authors: | Andrew P Barnes Luiza Toma |
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| Institution: | (1) Land Economy Research Group, SAC, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, UK |
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| Abstract: | Dairy farming is an industry which could potentially mitigate a large amount of greenhouse gas emissions. However, perception
and acceptance towards climate change is a significant barrier to voluntary adoption of best practice techniques. A number
of countries have set targets for reducing emissions, of which Scotland has one of the most ambitious agendas. This paper
presents results from an extensive survey of 540 dairy farmers, conducted in 2009, with the aim of understanding attitudes,
values and intentions towards climate change. Only half of these farmers agreed that temperatures would rise in the future
and this could significantly hinder adoption of voluntary measures to meet emissions targets. To explore this further a typology
was developed on the responses to attitude and value statements, using principal components and cluster analysis methods.
Six distinct types were found to exist which had a range of outlooks towards the impact of climate change in the future. However,
five of the six types stated no intention to adopt practices which would reduce emissions. The typology approach supports
diversified engagement strategies and a more innovation-led or resource maximisation view towards farming was expressed by
several of these types. This may indicate that policy makers should focus on ‘win-win’ technologies as a means to effectively
engage with these. However, a number of types were disengaged from the process which was driven by uncertainties towards projections
for global warming and this needs to be addressed by both scientists and policy makers to ensure greater participation within
the farming community. |
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