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For every £1 invested in hedgerows, as much as
£3.92 is generated for the wider economy, new research from
CPRE, the countryside charity, has revealed;
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CPRE is calling on the government to stop dragging
its feet and set a target to increase the hedgerow network by
40% by 2050, which would be a win-win-win for climate, nature
and the economy
Hedgerows could become champions of climate action
and nature recovery, while contributing tens of thousands of jobs
to hard hit local communities, new analysis from CPRE, the
countryside charity, has revealed.
While the government has set clear targets to increase tree
planting, it is yet to set a target for hedgerows, which are
absolutely crucial in soaking up carbon, protecting against
flooding and aiding nature’s recovery. Ahead of the international
climate summit taking place in Glasgow in less than two months,
CPRE is calling on government for a firm commitment: set a target
to increase the hedgerow network by 40% by 2050.
The Climate Change Committee (CCC) recommends that
the extent of our hedgerow network should be increased by 40% to
support the UK government’s goal to reach net-zero carbon
emissions by 2050. Now, new research conducted by the Organic
Research Centre, on behalf of CPRE, has found that the benefits
of setting and achieving this target would not only be for the
climate and nature, as 40% more hedgerows would result in over
25,000 more jobs in hedgerow planting and maintenance in both
rural and urban areas. If the right hedgerows are planted in the
right place, for every £1 invested in hedgerow planting, as much
as £3.92 is generated in the wider economy.
The research was launched today (Monday 6 September)
at the first in-person environmental parliamentary reception
since lockdown in March 2020, attended by the Environment
Secretary, ; , Conservative MP for North Devon; members of the
environment sector and CPRE’s network of local
groups.
Commenting on the research, Crispin Truman,
chief executive of CPRE, the countryside charity,
said:
‘It is almost impossible to define the enormous value
of our hedgerow network – just as our arteries and veins supply
our bodies with nutrients and oxygen, the UK’s hedgerow network
defines many of our rural landscapes and must remain healthy to
benefit villages, towns and cities. Our research shows that
investing in our hedgerows is a win-win for climate and people in
both the countryside and urban areas.
‘Sadly, half of our precious hedgerows have been
ripped from the landscape since the Second World War and we’ve
seen a huge decline in nature and soaring carbon emissions. There
is a lot of work to do. Local authorities can support community
groups to plant more hedgerows while farmers can help by letting
hedgerows grow taller, and bushier.
‘But we know the government has the biggest part to
play in unleashing the full potential of hedgerows. That’s why
we’re calling on Ministers to set a target to increase the
hedgerow network by 40% by 2050 with improved protection
for existing hedgerows. This would be seen as a bold step
by the UK government in the lead up to hosting the international
climate summit to support nature’s recovery, help grow us out of
the economic downturn and tackle the climate emergency head
on.’
In its expanse, the hedgerow network is our largest,
most connected ‘nature reserve’. Healthy hedgerows are teeming
with life and vital for nature. One in ten of all vulnerable
species in the UK are associated with hedgerows. These include
the hazel dormouse, the much-loved hedgehog, whose decline has
been closely associated with hedgerow loss, and the brown
hairstreak butterfly, which lays its eggs on blackthorn, and is
particularly common in hedgerows.
But shockingly, we have lost around half of our
hedgerows since the Second World War and they are still in
decline. It is clear that continued hedgerow loss will hasten the
decline of these species but increasing the hedgerow network will
aid nature’s recovery.
