ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ (ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥) experts have contributed to a comprehensive environmental report, which details how nature has enormous potential to fight climate change and biodiversity loss in the UK.
The report, by the British Ecological Society, gives a complete assessment of nature-based solutions (NbS) to mitigate climate change and biodiversity loss, with contributions from over 100 experts, including those from ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥.
The report details mitigations in the UK’s freshwater, heathlands, arable, built environment, woodlands, marine, peatlands and grasslands and details the strengths, limitations and trade-offs of NbS in different habitats across the UK.
ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥â€™s Professor Rick Stafford was a lead author on the report, and the marine section of the work, and contributed to other chapters in the report while Lu Esteves provided a case study on saltmarsh creation, based on her extensive research into this area. ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥â€™s Phillipa Gillingham worked on the steering group for the report, reviewing both the woodlands and heathlands sections, while ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥â€™s Professor Adrian Newton acted as reviewer on the woodland section.
Professor Stafford said, “In marine environments nature-based solutions changes are nearly always win-win. Investment in nature-based solutions that restore or protect coastal environments is an effective mechanism of achieving greater biodiversity, storm mitigation and carbon capture with few trade-offs.â€
Professor Jane Memmott, President of the British Ecological Society, said: “The Nature-based Solutions report offers a real basis for setting effective policies and incentives that will maximise the benefits of nature-based solutions in the UK for the climate and biodiversity.â€
It is hoped the report will provide a framework for action and policy change in order to combat climate change and biodiversity loss in the UK.
The implementation of NbS to help achieve net-zero commitments and tackle biodiversity loss will require shared knowledge resources and effective partnerships across different policy areas. Long-term policies, goals and government commitments will be necessary to support long-term investment, research and monitoring of of NbS.
To read the British Ecological Society report, visit the
For more information about ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥'s environmental courses, visit the Life and Environmental Sciences page.