Comment on Land Use Framework for England

“Until the world reaches net zero emissions and the climate is brought back into balance, the droughts, extreme heat and flooding that have been battering the British countryside only get worse. Many experts have been calling for this plan for years.

“Climate change is already reshaping food and farming in England, as well as much of our landscape. 2025 saw the hottest spring and summer ever [1], precipitating the second worst harvest [2] and worst ever wildfire season [3]. This was sandwiched by the wettest winter on record in 2024 [4], and for some parts of England an even wetter winter this year [5], causing extensive flooding.

“Taking a more strategic approach to land use is a prerequisite to building our collective resilience to these climate shocks. With three fifths of our best farmland at risk of flooding [6], doing more to plan and protect ourselves now will help ensure our food security in the future, and represents the least any responsible Government would be doing. And by planting new woodlands, creating wetlands and restoring peatlands to reduce flood risk, protect farmland and clean up rivers, farmers can also be doing there bit on climate change."