Reimagining land for nature and people: Earthwatch’s Land Use Framework Consultation response

2nd May 2025

At Earthwatch Europe, we believe the way we use our land holds the key to addressing the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change. That’s why we welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the Government’s Land Use Framework Consultation.

 A critical step in shaping how England’s land can better support nature, people, and climate resilience in the decades ahead.

Our response drew on our practical experience in nature-based solutions, citizen science, and sustainable agriculture to offer clear, evidence-based recommendations.

Our vision for land use change

We agreed with the overall assessment of the scale and type of land use change proposed – but we believe the Government must go further, faster.

From improving farmland practices to restoring degraded peatlands and expanding urban greenspaces, the scale of ambition must match the urgency of the challenges we face.

Our key messages included:

• Scaling up sustainable farming: Through our Farming with Nature programme, we support regenerative agriculture that balances food production with ecosystem restoration. We urged the Government to back this approach and ensure policies are aligned, clear, and supported with long-term investment.
• Unlocking the power of wetlands: With our rivers in crisis, we emphasised the need for land use change that prioritises wetlands – proven to be five times more effective at filtering nutrient pollution than land-based solutions.
• Reforesting smarter: While tree planting has a role, we highlighted the importance of designing nature corridors and integrating trees within agricultural landscapes, not just focusing on woodland expansion.
• Championing urban nature: From Tiny Forests to community gardens, we called for cities to become hubs for nature and food production, helping to tackle climate impacts while improving public health and wellbeing.

A need for urgency and embracing citizen science

We strongly supported the framework’s core principles, especially the focus on co-design, multifunctional land use, and long-term thinking.

But we also called for a stronger emphasis on timely action – planning for the future must not delay action today.

We also urged greater recognition of citizen science data in land use decisions, an approach we’ve seen succeed through our Great UK WaterBlitz and other community-driven initiatives.

Enabling change through collaboration

True transformation requires shared responsibility. We highlighted the importance of:

• Collaborative leadership: Government must provide clear direction, but coordination should happen at the local or catchment level, involving local authorities, landowners, and citizen scientists alike.
• Empowering farmers and communities: Change must be bottom-up as well as top-down. We advocated for better incentives, clearer policies, and practical tools that support farmers and land managers to lead the transition; including our FreshWater Watch water quality monitoring kit, and soil health toolkit.
• Aligning fragmented policies: From climate adaptation to private investment, the Government must streamline overlapping schemes into a coherent vision that businesses, landowners and communities can trust.

Looking ahead

Earthwatch is committed to supporting a land use transition that’s inclusive, science-based, and locally led. This consultation is a positive step – but delivery will be the real test.

Whether you’re a policymaker, landowner, or concerned citizen, we all have a role to play. If you’re inspired to take action, join one of our citizen science initiatives or explore our Farming with Nature programme.

Together, we can reimagine our landscapes as thriving spaces for people, wildlife, and climate – now and for the future.