Waitrose has announced the recipients of its £500,000 fund to support farmers in transitioning towards more sustainable, low-carbon farming methods.

This move is part of the supermarket’s strategy to promote sustainability in its supply chain and achieve net zero emission standards across its UK farms by 2035.

Waitrose managing director James Bailey said: “We’re really pleased to be able to support our farmers with projects that will not only help drive down real emissions but help them invest in their futures.

“It’s a challenging time for farmers, yet we saw a real ambition from applicants to the fund to drive forward climate- and nature-friendly farming. We’re excited to see the projects come to life and all the amazing benefits they will bring.”

Moving forward, the fund will support projects that are eco-friendly and boost sustainability from nine successful applicants out of 2,000 applications.

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The funding will go towards developing low-carbon projects, for example, water and fertiliser recycling, bringing in wilded habitats, cover cropping and reusing waste as fertiliser.

Other projects include implementing agroforestry, wildflower planting and wetland management; emission management services; planting more trees for biodiversity and creating fertiliser from litter.

Farmer and egg producer Clair Brettell added: “As organic egg producers, we’re always talking about improving bird welfare and encouraging biodiversity on the fields where our hens range.

“The net zero grant fund by Waitrose is a fabulous initiative to support farmers. We’re excited to be working with Waitrose on our project to have a positive impact on the environment and lead to more sustainable practices on our farm.”

The new development builds on the retailer’s ‘Farming for Nature’ investment, which aims to create a net zero supply chain by 2050 and combat the effects of climate change in farming.

Daniel Zeichner, Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, said: “Climate change is a significant threat to agriculture and our broader food system, and reducing emissions from the sector is vital to meeting our net zero commitments. I’m extremely pleased to see new funds, such as Waitrose’s net zero farm fund, support the adoption of low carbon farming practices.”