Managing our land & water so it benefits us all

Land use plays a significant role in our plans to meet net zero, support nature’s recovery and adapt to our changing climate.

As our population grows, the pressures on our land and water systems intensify. Land provides essentials such as food, housing, transport systems, businesses and leisure activities – and in our efforts to reduce emissions, we require more land for renewable energy and tree planting. We also need to make more space for other species, as we endeavour to reverse the declining health of our wildlife and the ecosystems that support us. But the amount of land in Yorkshire and the Humber is limited, and as climate change causes higher levels of coastal erosion, flooding and drought, and impacts crop production, there is a pressing need to change the way we manage our land and water.

Our region contains three national parks, two national landscapes and two World Heritage Sites. We have an incredible diversity of topography, habitats and species – some of which are unique to the region and of international importance, such as the region’s peatland environments which play an essential role in storing carbon, and constitute a quarter of the national stock. Of the 5.5 million people living in our region, all are affected by land use decisions, but very few own or control the land; therefore it’s essential that we bring a diverse range of perspectives into decision-making processes, including those that will speak on behalf of nature.

The policy landscape is already changing in this area, in response to the climate and biodiversity emergencies, and changes to trade and regulatory environments as a result of Britain leaving the European Union. Yorkshire and the Humber must seize on the opportunity to harness this momentum, to become a leader in sustainable, productive and nature-positive land management.

We know we’re succeeding when…

• Land use and water management across the region is restorative, enhancing biodiversity, delivering protection from climate impacts, and strengthening natural carbon stores.

• The decisions made about our land and water improve social equity in our urban environments and contribute to thriving rural communities.

• Nature’s health and resilience is improving through increased habitat connectivity, better protection of wild spaces and ongoing habitat creation and restoration efforts.

• The water in our rivers, lakes and seas is increasingly clean and unpolluted, supporting a more diverse range of life.

• Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and food production are falling in line with the region’s net zero target, and biodiversity on food producing land across the region is increasing