New report reveals how to tackle climate change through nature - Natural England

The programme used new technology to give unprecedented insight into how we can manage landscapes

• Projects see 800 hectares of habitat created, 95,000 trees planted, 16km hedgerows restored
• 3D laser scans reveal hedgerows store as much carbon as some woodlands

A pioneering government-led programme has driven forward our understanding of how to tackle climate change through nature-based solutions, particularly the power of soil fungi and the role hedgerows can play in absorbing carbon.

Scientific advancements achieved through the programme include new methods for measuring carbon in hedgerows using 3D laser scanning. This non-destructive method allows for large-scale estimation of carbon held within hedgerows which revealed hedgerows rival woodlands in carbon sequestration, helping us to gain a better understanding of how they can help in the effort to tackle the climate crisis.

Projects funded through the programme also revealed how fungi can be used as an indicator species for how much carbon is stored in soil, and how species rich grassland can take up significant amounts of carbon while supporting important wildlife.

The Nature Returns programme, led by Natural England in partnership with the Environment Agency, Forestry Commission and Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, has demonstrated how nature-based solutions can address the climate emergency and drive sustainable economic growth.