COP26: Land Unlocked
Work is underway for a better future
One of the simplest solutions to the multiple challenges we face is right beneath our feet.
Land is the silent partner in the climate debate. If 1.5C is to stay within our sights, the UK must focus on scaling up the work of citizens and communities to harness land and natural systems to fix food, and in turn fix the planet.
We have seen this in action during our Land Unlocked UK tour and these practical steps are underpinned by the latest Farming for Change research - showing the huge potential of a broader pathway and a course that works for all.
Films, stories and actions
The Land Unlocked Tour
Across the UK, citizens are taking action, moving to regenerative farming practices, re-localising their supply chains and working with their communities to adapt to the climate and nature crises. Follow #LandUnlockedTour and see where we've been.
A pathway to a brighter future
There are clear, 'no regrets' actions that governments can take to scale up the work of citizens and communities, at pace, for a better future.
Nature
Support a transition to agroecology
Agroecology is a science and a practice for improving food and farming systems, which supports regenerative farming, builds resilient businesses, puts people - farmers, food producers, citizens – at the heart of solutions and enables one patch of land to provide multiple benefits.
Finance
Aligning public and private finance
The market alone may not be capable of making the bold, fair and transformative moves, away from the old, extractive and inequitable industries and towards more just and sustainable economy. Governments acknowledge this, having kickstarted transitions to cleaner energy, housing and transport in the past. Now, the same shift is needed in agriculture, to help farmers and growers move rapidly towards more regenerative practices, backed by patient and purposeful finance, with government policies that set out clear ambition and direction for the sector.
Resource resilient communities
The climate is already changing. Communities need the tools and resources to adapt, and shape the locally-led actions that work best for them.
With the right approaches and resources, local community knowledge can help create networks and plans which support a thriving local food and farming system, led by agroecological principles.
Agroecology is the key to:
-
Feeding a future UK
77.5m people
A healthy, affordable diet
-
Ensuring the UK's
Read more: new Farming for Change researchenvironmental impacts
are not externalised overseas
-
Reducing emissions
by over 70%
to meet net zero
-
Providing a broad pathway for
resilient businesses
to enhance UK food security
Land Unlocked:
Conversations
Read, watch and listen to all the conversations about Land Unlocked
Where is the funding we need for trees?
"We're growing native trees for woodland restoration, but the right kind of financing isn't ready"
Low input farming is cost effective
Graham's farm has transitioned from a high input to low input farming operation
Serving less and better meat
Public sector organisations can take bold action and shift to serving more sustainable food
Land Unlocked COP26 Briefing
New film and key messages from UK tour and latest research
Nature-friendly farming in the uplands
"I went from revved-up farmer to farming with nature", says Hywel
Our move to regenerative farming
Nic & Reno Renison used to have a conventional mindset but changed to farming regeneratively
A veg box scheme for Glasgow's tenements
50 types of veg, zero food miles, one big financial challenge
Innovative approaches to food charity
Providing the healthy food that people actually need
Too cutting edge for high street banks?
Laurence explains how he found innovative finance to expand his veg box scheme.