Radish-powered carbon-negative farming is one of the ways a Suffolk malt firm is hoping to drive down its CO2, an East conference was told.

Delegates at a Clean Growth for Business conference organised by New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) heard from companies across Norfolk and Suffolk which are leading the counties' charge towards net zero.

They included Stowmarket-based Muntons which is working with farmers and fertiliser firms to help it achieve its zero carbon goals. It has successfully trialled radish cover crops as part of its bid.

Muntons' head of innovation and marketing Kate Dixon explained how the business  developed "growers’ routes" and worked with fertiliser firms to drive up the production of lower carbon barley.

This led to proactive trials and partnerships - and it was now involved in regenerative agriculture and working towards carbon negative barley.

"The latest innovation - the one that’s going to change the world for us - is the radish," she said.

"One of the things we are looking at in the latest trial is growing it as a cover crop.

"By doing that, we have our malt and barley, then we plant our winter cover crop which traps carbon in the soil and improves the habitats that we have.

"Not only that, if you crush it and roller it, that actually goes into the soil which makes it more friable, which means it is easier to manage so you are using less energy, it absorbs water and again it gives more carbon back.

"From the research we have done so far and the preliminary trial results, we are generating net negative carbon in terms of our overall results, which is phenomenal when you think all you are doing is planting an additional crop over winter."

Speakers from a range of organisations - including Swedish energy company Vattenfall, proposed nuclear power plant Sizewell C and Transport East - explored carbon reduction in four key areas – agri-food and land management, energy, mobility and construction at the event, which was held at the King's Centre, Norwich, on November 15.

As well as sustainable crop production, lift-sharing and training in sustainable construction were among the initiatives showcased to show how Norfolk and Suffolk was rising to the net zero challenge - and in some cases leading the field.

East Anglian Daily Times:

But there were challenges, delegates heard, including high levels of road freight and the rural make-up of the counties. Nearly half - 48% - of the counties' transport carbon emissions involved journeys to or from rural areas, they were told.

Pete Joyner, chairman of the Norfolk and Suffolk Clean Growth Taskforce, said the grup- set up last year - wanted to help businesses understand the impact they can have in cutting carbon emissions and give them the tools and skills to act.

"There are genuine savings to be made if you can find a more sustainable way to heat your office or place to plug your electric vehicles because in time businesses will be penalised for their over-consumption and over-emissions of CO2," he said.

"That has got to be a real driver for any business that wants to be successful in the future and manage its cost base and hopefully grow."

LEP chairwoman C-J Green, said the LEP undertook a study in 2019 looking at the impacts of climate change and the results were worrying.

"For us as a region, it can feel overwhelming knowing where to start to make a difference. The answer from our room today - just start something. The resolution will be one step at a time," she said.

To find out about support available for business, visit https://newanglia.co.uk/clean-growth-for-business/