ICMIF member NFU Mutual (UK) has announced a new partnership with Environmental Farmers Group (EFG) to help farmers manage the risks of devoting land to environmental and regenerative schemes within natural capital markets.

The partnership has been forged following NFU Mutual research which shows that 24% of the UK farms and estates surveyed are already involved in public or private natural capital initiatives.

One of the leading groups on Natural Capital in the England, EFG, is a farmer-owned cooperative which aims to deliver positive environmental change at a landscape-scale, funded through natural capital trading. Supported by some of the UK’s leading natural capital specialists, EFG’s mission is to harness scale and member cooperation to secure the best environmental results and financial returns for a wide range of natural capital goods and services.

EFG works with rural organisations in the UK including Natural Capital Advisory and the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, to shape regulated, voluntary, and future compliance markets, driving positive landscape-level environmental impacts.

Katy Townsend, NFU Mutual Farming Propositions Consultant, said: “This partnership with EFG marks a significant step in our mission to support the future of farming. By combining our expertise, we can develop the right solutions to address key customer needs and help them effectively manage their natural capital risks.

“We’ve found that many farmers considering a move into natural capital activities are looking to NFU Mutual to help identify, manage, and insure against the risks involved.

“Many of the farms and estates already participating in natural capital activities are dedicating between 10–20% of their land to natural capital projects, often without adequate risk protection in place.

“Farmers’ greatest perceived risk is uncertainty about the future of natural capital markets.”

Rob Shepherd, EFG Chairman, said: “This exciting new partnership between the Environmental Farmers Group and NFU Mutual brings together two organisations with much in common. As a cooperative and a mutual respectively, we share core values of collaboration, trust, and community.

“We’re looking forward to working together to help our members understand and maximise the potential of their Natural Capital.”