Scheme

To support its goal of providing 25% of the UK’s biomethane supply, we supported Acorn Bioenergy with the Farming for a Greener Future campaign. Aiming to educate policymakers, stakeholders and members of the public about anaerobic digestion, the report showcased how organic waste and rotational crops from agriculture can be used to power homes, reduce emissions, improve soil health and help to rejuvenate the rural economy.

Strategy

Meeting Place spotlighted Acorn’s recent planning success in Winchester and Northamptonshire, which moved forward with smooth planning approvals, zero statutory objections and local backing. The report then highlighted Acorn’s future pipeline of developments, to showcase the potential this emerging renewable technology could have. We collaborated with Acorn’s farmer contacts to gather testimonials surrounding the importance of diversifying into renewables and how they’ve found the process of supplying an AD facility, packaging up the findings into a whitepaper which celebrates biomethane’s role in supporting the UK’s energy and food security.

We also coordinated a councillor site visit to Acorn’s flagship Three Maids Hill development in Winchester to celebrate the completion of the construction. With video, photography and a press release to support, the event provided an opportunity to surface stakeholder feedback from the development for inclusion in the report.

Outcome

The resulting report will help to establish Acorn’s reputation as a responsible rural neighbour and, as one of the UK’s largest operators, a pioneer of anaerobic digestion facilities. Whether in influencing policy or shifting public perceptions, Farming for a Greener Future has helped to successfully position Acorn as a forward-thinking and community-minded developer.