Land - the ground beneath our feet - is under pressure like never before. If we are to address the nature and climate crises, grow food, provide clean energy, build homes and provide space for our own health and well-being, we need to make better use of land. 

That is why we welcomed the publication of a consultation by Defra that seeks to develop a Land Use Framework for England. 

With three weeks to the deadline to respond to the consultation, it’s a useful chance to reflect on the proposals within the Framework and what is needed to deliver the change we need to see. 

A vision for change 

The UK Government has put forward a pretty bold vision for land use change. In stark contrast to language used elsewhere in Government referring to nature protections being in the way of growth, there is welcome recognition that nature underpins a healthy economy and that we can, and must, meet the challenges in an integrated way.  

The emphasis on multifunctionality is welcome too, as that’s key – most land will have multiple outputs of both public and private benefit. 

One of the key headlines from the consultation is the need for 14% of land currently used for farming to be instead managed for nature.

In turn, this will help our food systems be more resilient to drought or flooding and support vital farm assets including soils, pollinators and pest predators. 

But is even this enough?  

There is little read through to global biodiversity goals – such as 30by30 – and if we are to meet our own legally binding environmental targets such as halting the loss of nature by 2030, we need to act at scale and quickly.  

Climate change will also have huge implications for land use and hasn’t yet been fully integrated into the Land Use Framework documents and analysis. 

What do we need? 

With a host of other plans, strategies and frameworks in the works from the UK Government, it is important that the Land Use Framework is integrated with these and doesn’t just end up sitting on a virtual shelf, gathering dust. The UK Government is currently developing a Food Strategy – one of the other documents this Land Use Framework must dock into.  

A mix of carrots and sticks will be needed to ensure the Land Use Framework means something on the ground. For example:  

1. Multifunctional land use 
   Embedding the idea that land use should seek to be multifunctional should read across into energy planning. Planning rules should require new homes to also include rooftop solar, and new solar farms should be managed with nature-based food production, local economies and biodiversity in mind.  
    

2. The application of red lines 
   The Land Use Framework should also support the application of red lines - strategic energy plans should support the protection of our most important wildlife sites. 
    

3. Supporting farmers and nature 
   New Local Nature Recovery Strategies should be used to support farmers identify the most impactful actions for wildlife, and they should be rewarded fairly for taking these actions.  
    

4. Reducing pressure on land 
   The Land Use Framework must also look to support efforts to reduce pressure on land. For example, the document has missed the opportunity to link to the opportunities and co-benefits of the Climate Change Committees recommendations on dietary change: not only would this support efforts to address climate change, make space for nature, but there would be significant health benefits for people too.  

The Land Use Framework, once finalised, has huge potential to provide an impetus for positive action that helps to address the nature and climate crises in an integrated way. We now need to identify the tools and incentives to secure the change that is needed for delivery.