Land-Based Climate Actions: Balancing Benefits and Trade-Offs for Net Zero Targets

The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) has collaborated with the Climate Change Committee (CCC) to assess the role of land-based actions in achieving the UK's net zero targets by 2050. Their research, published in May 2025, evaluates various land management strategies, highlighting both their potential benefits and associated trade-offs.

The study focused on 12 distinct agricultural landscapes across the UK, encompassing 55% of the rural land area. Researchers modeled the impacts of several land-based mitigation measures, including:

• Peatland Restoration: Rewetting and revegetating degraded peatlands can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• Woodland Creation: Establishing new woodlands and enhancing existing forests contribute to carbon sequestration.

• Agroforestry and Hedgerows: Integrating trees into agricultural systems supports biodiversity and improves carbon storage.

• Sustainable Cropland Management: Adopting practices that maintain soil health and reduce emissions from agricultural soils.

The findings indicate that these measures could reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 23.8 to 28.1 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent by 2050, accounting for 45-53% of the emissions reduction target for the agriculture and land use sector.

However, the implementation of these strategies presents several challenges. Restoring peatlands or converting agricultural land to woodlands may lead to a reduction in food production and affect farm incomes. Additionally, the effectiveness of these measures is influenced by their location and resilience to future climate conditions. For instance, afforestation with non-native species can harm biodiversity and may not be suitable for all areas.

The research emphasizes the importance of careful planning and policy design to maximize the benefits of land-based actions while minimizing negative impacts. It advocates for a landscape-scale approach that considers local conditions and integrates community input to ensure the sustainability of these initiatives.

Conclusion:

Land-based actions play a crucial role in the UK's strategy to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. While they offer significant environmental benefits, such as carbon sequestration and biodiversity enhancement, careful consideration of their economic and social implications is essential. Strategic planning and informed decision-making will be key to balancing these benefits with the potential trade-offs, ensuring that land management contributes effectively to climate change mitigation goals.

Source: UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH)