Farmers’ Voices on Climate Change: Research That Made Headlines

Our recent research, capturing the views of 300 UK farmers on climate change, has sparked national conversation. The findings highlight the scale of the challenge and the toll it is already taking on farming communities – and have been widely picked up by both mainstream and agricultural media.

Farmers’ confidence battered by climate change

The headline message from the research is clear: extreme weather, drought, and flooding are undermining confidence across the sector. This story was featured in The Guardian, Business Green, The Grocer, Farming UK, Farming Online, Edie, IEMA, Farmers Guardian, City AM, The Scotsman, and ITV News online. It was also the subject of a Guardian editorial and newsletter.

Core Research finding: Farmer confidence battered by climate change – new research.

Covered by: The Guardian, Business Green, The Grocer, Farming UK, Farming Online, Edie, IEMA, Farmers Guardian, City AM, the Scotsman, ITV News online, Guardian editorial, Guardian newsletter

Climate concern – but confusion around net zero

Alongside these findings, Farmers Weekly ran a Talking Point piece exploring why climate change is such a concern for farmers, yet the concept of net zero remains widely misunderstood. This reflects the need for clearer communication and more practical, farm-level support.

Core research finding: Why is climate a concern, but net zero so misunderstood? 

Covered by: Farmers Weekly Talking Point

The human impact: anxiety and depression

Perhaps the most sobering finding was that a majority of farmers reported feelings of anxiety and depression in the face of drought and flooding. This side of the story was covered by Farmers Weekly, Farmers Guardian, The Grocer, Business Green, Farming UK, LBC, and Times Radio.

Core Research finding: Majority of farmers report feelings of anxiety and depression in face of drought and flooding.

Covered by: Farmers Weekly, Farmers Guardian, The Grocer, Business Green, Farming UK, LBC, Times Radio

Why this matters

This coverage shows just how vital it is to keep farmers’ voices at the centre of the climate conversation. Farmers are on the frontline of climate impacts, and their insights are critical to shaping realistic, resilient responses.

Thanks to everyone on the Five Bar Gate panel that took part.