UK Parliament POST Future research: Regenerative agriculture

Manning, Louise; Nayak, Rounaq

Abstract

This submission explores the definitional, practical, and governance challenges associated with regenerative agriculture, a concept increasingly promoted as a means to reduce the environmental impact of food production. Drawing on historical and contemporary perspectives, the paper outlines how regenerative practices, such as reduced tillage, increased biodiversity, and closed nutrient loops, can contribute to sustainable food systems. However, a lack of definitional consensus, certification standards, and robust impact measures raises concerns about greenwashing and inequitable benefits. The submission highlights the importance of adopting a Just Transitions framework to ensure inclusive and fair implementation, particularly for smallholder and tenant farmers who may lack access to financial or technical resources. It calls for co-produced policy design and equitable access to natural capital markets, stressing the need to centre lived experience evidence and participatory governance in future frameworks. By combining agroecological theory with insights from voluntary carbon markets, the paper outlines key considerations for policymakers aiming to advance regenerative agriculture while avoiding the entrenchment of existing structural inequalities.

• Report Type: Policy Document
• Acceptance Date: Mar 20, 2025
• Deposit Date: Mar 25, 2025
• Series Title: Approved work: Regenerative agriculture
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/13978005
• Publisher URL: https://post.parliament.uk/approved-work-regenerative-agriculture/