More trees, less meat

Big changes to land use are needed if we are to meet emissions targets, warns climate body

UK citizens need to decrease the amount of beef and lamb we eat by a fifth by 2050 if we are to reach our net zero target.

That’s according to a new report by the Committee on Climate Change, which says that the way we use land in our country has to change if we are to meet our emissions targets.

In 2017, emissions from agriculture, land use and peatlands in the UK were responsible for 58 million tonnes of CO2 and equivalent greenhouse gasses.

Recommendations in the report include planting 90 to 120 million broadleaf and conifer trees each year until 2050 - which would increase UK forestry cover from 13% to 17%.

That would save an estimated 14.3 million tonnes of annual CO2 or equivalent greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The report also called on us to reduce the 13.6 million tonnes of food wasted each year by 20%.

Coupled with the reduction in beef and lamb consumption, that could save a further 6.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

It also calls for an increase in land use for energy crops - plants which are processed into fuels to produce energy.

Lord Deben, Chairman of the Committee on Climate Change, said: “Changing the way we use our land is critical to delivering the UK’s Net Zero target.

“The options we are proposing would see farmers and land managers - the stewards of the land - delivering actions to reduce emissions.

“Doing so can provide new revenue opportunities for farmers, better air quality and improved biodiversity, and more green spaces for us all to enjoy.

“But major changes are required and action from government is needed quickly if we are to reap the rewards.”

One of the key recommendations in the report is the restoration of peatland.

Peat is one of the largest natural stores of carbon - and peatlands occupy about 12% of the UK’s land area and store an estimated 5.5 billion tonnes of carbon.

When dried out or burnt, peat moors end up releasing a lot of CO2 into the atmosphere.

The report calls for the restoration of 50% of upland peat and 25% of lowland peat, as well as banning peat extraction.

Tom Fyans, deputy chief executive of countryside charity CPRE said: ”The CCC is right to recommend banning peat extraction and the burning of peatland in the near future.

“For too long, restoring peatlands has been left high and dry as a climate solution.

“But much more ambition on rewetting peatland soils is essential if we are to avoid fires like those at Saddle worth moor in 2019.

“The CCC should press the government to go much further than saving just over a quarter of UK peatland emissions by 2050.”