Identifying farmer typologies based on their views towards greenhouse gas emissions

Widespread adoption of technologies for greenhouse gas (GHG) emission mitigation is required to meet GHG reduction targets while maintaining levels of food production. In this context, improving our understanding of factors influencing behavioural change, including farmer views towards GHG mitigation, is required. Based on a representative sample of 526 farmers across various farm systems in the Republic of Ireland, this study takes an exploratory research focus and investigates the views of farmers towards their farm level GHG emissions by conducting a typology analysis that groups like-minded farmers together. Farmer views are first assessed on five-point Likert scales using nine statements. Principal component analysis (PCA) is applied to survey responses, revealing three components: one dealing with belief in ability and knowledge to reduce emissions, the second looking at environmental concern towards GHG emissions and the third gauging social mistrust felt by farmers as well as income prioritization. Subsequent cluster analysis shows four distinct farmer groups, which were then labelled based on their profile; Unconcerned, Ill-equipped, Concerned and Mistrusted. Finally, differences in farm and farmer characteristics across groups are examined using a series of statistical tests.