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New scheme to financially reward UK sugar beet growers for cutting carbon emissions

6 April 2026

UK sugar beet growers can join a major new industry initiative being launched by British Sugar to help drive the transition to more sustainable farming practices with financial rewards for positive change. 

British Sugar has committed funding and is collaborating with the Soil Association Exchange to financially reward our growers for improvements in UK sugar beet production’s sustainability credentials. 

The Soil Association Exchange independently verifies and financially rewards environmental improvements using measurements across six key areas, including soil, water, biodiversity, and carbon. 

The Exchange Market is open to UK growers to register verified sustainability improvements and access funding for activities that support reductions in UK sugar beet’s greenhouse gas emissions.  

Grower participation in this initiative is completely voluntary.  

Dan Green, Agriculture Director at British Sugar, said: “This is an exciting first for our industry, and I hope that our growers will now take the opportunity to get involved. 

“Through this initiative, growers will receive 50% of the incentive upfront to support the changes on farm. 

“This reflects our commitment to helping growers meet rising environmental expectations while continuing to supply customers with responsibly produced homegrown sugar. 

“The Soil Association Exchange offers our growers an independent, practical, and clear way to track sustainability improvements, benchmark progress, and access tailored support — all without adding unnecessary complexity. 

“This is about partnership and moving forward together with growers at the heart of the journey to build a more resilient and sustainable future for British sugar beet.” 

Joseph Gridley, CEO at Soil Association Exchange said: “It’s incredibly exciting to partner with British Sugar, and to be able offer new funding to their growers. 

“We know that trying new practices inherently carries risk, and we hope this new financial and advisory support will give the reassurance that farmers need and accelerate the transition of sugar beet to a more resilient and lower emission future.” 

For further information, sugar beet growers can view a Frequently Asked Questions webpage, or visit the Soil Association Exchange website. 

• While new to British Sugar, the Soil Association Exchange already works with over 2,000 farmers covering 4% of UK farmland, and has backing from supply chain businesses including Lloyds Bank, Marks & Spencer, Mars, and Tesco. 

• The Soil Association Exchange is accredited under the Farm Data Principles scheme, guaranteeing fairness, transparency, and farmer control.