Government launches “national conversation” on land use

Commenting on the government’s national consultation on land use, launched today, Friends of the Earth’s head of policy, Mike Childs, said:

“As one of the most nature-depleted countries on the planet, the UK has an urgent need to restore wildlife as well as build more homes, develop homegrown renewables to reduce energy bills and increase farming resilience to climate change. This may sound like an impossible task, but it isn’t.

“Many solar farms already boost wildflowers and pollinators. Windfarms and agriculture already co-exist. Tree planting can mitigate floods and store carbon. And farmers can be more economically secure if they are also paid for restoring nature and hosting renewables, alongside the crops they produce.

“Failure to adapt to the land-use challenges we face will see more crops ruined by flooding, a continuing decline in our bees and butterflies, reduced energy security and higher household bills.

“A forward-thinking land-use plan is long overdue and can benefit everyone if we are smart about it.”

ENDS