Defra splashes millions on land recovery plan
Under the Government’s funding initiative, the RSPB is one of the main beneficiaries of Defra’s largesse and much focus is on Net Zero.
Conservation bodies including the RSPB and various Wildlife Trusts nationwide are among the beneficiaries of £12million funding. The cash has been allocated under the first round of Defra’s Landscape Recovery (LR) funding scheme.
The principal aim of the scheme, which was set up in 2022 under the Agriculture Act 2020, is to “protect native species and improve rivers” via “a number of longer-term, larger-scale, bespoke projects to enhance the natural environment and deliver significant benefits”.
According to government documents, Landscape Recovery focuses on enhancing biodiversity, improving water quality and achieving Net Zero, addressing critical environmental and climate priorities that require large-scale land-based actions. It supports the UK’s commitment to protect 30% of its land by 2030 and establish a Nature Recovery Network by restoring protected landscapes and creating new nature recovery areas.
The documents also state that the scheme targets increased species abundance and is aligned with the goals of the 25-year Environment Plan and the Environment Act. It also complements the climate change objectives of the Build Back Better plan for growth, particularly its transition to Net Zero pillar.
Key aims include decarbonising agriculture and reducing agricultural emissions, contributing significantly to the UK’s climate and environmental targets. The documents state that by focusing on these priorities, Landscape Recovery ensures a strategic approach to achieving sustainable and long-term environmental outcomes.
The first round of projects are expected to deliver a range of environmental benefits, including at least 10,000 hectares of restored habitat; at least 25 to 50 kilotonnes of carbon saving per year — equivalent to taking up to 25,000 cars off the road — and improving the status of 45% to 57% of species of principal importance in England, such as curlew and water voles.
The RSPB is among the 19 beneficiaries of the first round of funding and will receive a total of £2,099,727 across three separate funding allocations. The National Trust will receive £1,080,732 across two separate allocations. The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (£696,385) is among the other recipients, which will each receive between £274,000 and £904,000.
