Harnessing the power of nature to tackle climate change: 5 lessons based on what works - RSPB
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Harnessing the power of nature
to tackle climate change:
5 lessons based on what works
Harnessing the power of nature to tackle climate change: 5 lessons based on what works 1
Introduction
Many of us are seeing the impacts of climate change, not ‘out there’ but right here
in the UK: we face hotter, drier summers and wetter winters1 , both capable of
bringing devastating consequences.
Nature is bearing witness too: climate Earlier this year, the world’s top climate This report demonstrates what is
change is impacting the behaviour and biodiversity scientists confirmed4 possible if we unleash nature’s potential,
and prospects of many species, with that we must address both challenges sharing five of the most important
kittiwake numbers dropping by 70% together. At home, the UK’s climate lessons we have learnt from working
since the 1980s due to declines in sand advisors painted a grim vision of what with nature on the ground: storing “If we’re going to tackle
eel prey during the breeding season, will come if we fail to protect nature5. carbon, helping to prevent flooding and
partly due to warmer seas, and almost safeguard communities’ way of life,
climate change sustainably,
half of moths are in decline since 1970 As we approach two key global summits all while creating amazing havens for we have to deal with the
due to climate change2. that will gather leaders from around the wildlife that people can enjoy.
world to discuss nature and climate, it is
disaster of habitat loss and
Climate change and the loss of wildlife clear that every country, including each The benefits of these ‘nature-based species loss across
represent a twin crises that must government across the UK, must take solutions’ to climate change are not
be tackled together. Here in the UK, action. And a key part of this action must restricted to climate and nature.
our planet...”
the Prime Minister has made clear be to harness the huge power of nature Our practical experience, backed up Boris Johnson,
his ambition to demonstrate global to tackle climate change. by economic analysis6, shows that April 22, 20213
leadership on the environment. investing in nature projects can bring
Harnessing the power of nature to tackle climate change: 5 lessons based on what works 2
jobs to the places that need them
most – highlighting the role that such
projects can and need to play in a truly
green economic recovery – as well as
demonstrating just how cost-effective
it is to protect the environment well in
the first place rather than dealing with
problems further down the line.
We can’t afford not to invest in nature.
Economists have found we can save
over £176 billion over the next century if
we restore our peatlands, saltmarshes
and woodlands – a conservative
investment that does not include
benefits such as flood prevention, job
creation and water quality management. Imagine what could be if governments
Extreme weather is already threatening our health and our
across the UK released the potential of homes now. People in the UK are more likely to experience
From the Solent coastline in Southern our most precious asset – nature. By
England, where saltmarsh stores carbon fully protecting our most special places,
flooding than burglary. The deadly 2018 heatwave killed
ten times faster than trees and helps committing to large-scale restoration over 800 people, saw over 500 emergency water call outs
shield communities from the devastation of our land and creating more, well
of rising sea levels, to the Scottish managed havens, the nature and climate
and saw 10,000 subsidence claims.
highlands where we are working in crisis stands a much stronger chance of
partnership with local people to restore being tackled. This report shows what
At the same time more than one in ten UK species are
native woodlands to their ancient limits, is possible – for nature, the climate and at threat of extinction7. Over half of UK species are
the natural wonders of the UK have people - and we look to political leaders
given us an incredible return on our to grasp the opportunity now. We
in decline and in the last 40 years almost 40 million birds
investment. cannot afford to wait any longer. have vanished from our skies8.
Citations
1 Met Office UK Climate Projections https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/climate-change/climate-change-in-the-uk
2 2019 State of Nature Report: https://www.rspb.org.uk/about-the-rspb/about-us/media-centre/press-releases/state-of-nature-2019/
3 UK government speeches website: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-statement-at-the-leaders-summit-on-climate-22-april-2021
4 IPBES-IPCC workshop report on biodiversity and climate change: https://www.ipbes.net/events/launch-ipbes-ipcc-co-sponsored-workshop-report-biodiversity-and-climate-change
5 The Climate Change Committee’s June 2021 Independent Assessment of UK Climate Risk: https://www.theccc.org.uk/2021/06/16/uk-struggling-to-keep-pace-with-climate-change-impacts/
6 RSPB March 2021 Economic benefits of nature based solutions report: https://www.camecon.com/what/our-work/rspb-economic-benefits-of-nature-based-climate-solutions/
7 State of Nature report (see 1)
8 JNCC 2019 Birds Directive Report: https://jncc.gov.uk/our-work/article-12-report-2019/
Harnessing the power of nature to tackle climate change: 5 lessons based on what works 3
Lesson 1: Harness the power of our dynamic coasts: Medmerry
Medmerry Nature Reserve, in West area to form seaward of the new cost of £28 million2. Climate
Sussex, sits on a section of England’s defenses. Natural intertidal habitats benefits have also been
southern coastline which includes the such as saltmarshes and mudflats important. Per unit area, coastal
small town of Selsey. This area was at would ordinarily absorb strong waves ecosystems can sequester and Since the creation of
extreme risk of flooding from high tides to reduce the depth and length of peak store more carbon dioxide than any the site, bird populations
and storms. However, restoration of 183 water levels and erosion from storm other ecosystem3 with saltmarshes have flourished. In 2019,
hectares of intertidal habitat, including surges. When this habitat is lost, or sequestering carbon considerably there were peak counts of 72
saltmarsh, means that Medmerry now when it is not able to move naturally faster than tropical rainforests4, whilst shoveler, 152 shelduck, and 1321
provides not only some of the most inland as sea levels rise, coastal also creating incredible homes for teal (Sussex Bird Report, 2019). The
important places for birds in Britain but communities are put at much greater wildlife and recreation spaces for the breeding and wintering populations of
cost-effective flood-risk management risk of flooding. Projections suggest that local community. wading birds such as avocets, lapwings
for 348 properties, for the local water UK will lose almost 3,000ha of intertidal and oystercatchers have all increased
treatment facility and for the only road to habitat by 2050 due to climate change Local people are using this new, easily significantly. Notably, avocets first bred at
a local town servicing 5,000 residents. and sea level rise, and increased coastal accessible green space to exercise and RSPB Medmerry in 2014, and in 2019, 22
The new saltmarsh area also sequesters erosion (RSPB Sustainable Shores socialise and collectively help manage pairs nested. Also in 2014, black-winged
and stores carbon, helping to mitigate Report, 2018). It is estimated that one the reserve, which helps improve their stilts bred, only the third successful
climate change, and helps the area in six people in England are living in health and mental wellbeing5. The breeding record in the whole of the UK.
to adapt to sea level rise and coastal properties at risk of flooding1. project has also helped to attract green
erosion caused by climate change. tourism; based on the use of the car
There have been significant economic parks alone, it is estimated that there Lesson learned:
This was all achieved through a process benefits from the managed realignment are at least 30,000 visitors a year. Local Harnessing the power of our
known as managed realignment. at Medmerry. Maintenance of the farmers are also able to get higher prices coastal wetlands through
Indeed, Medmerry is one of the largest previous coastal defences, a 3km shingle for the beef produced from the cattle managed realignment provides
open coastal managed realignments in bank, was costing the Environment that graze the saltmarsh grasses on not just carbon storage but vital
Europe. Managed realignment involves Agency £300,000 per year. The overall site, given that the beef has a higher protection to coastal communities
building new sea defenses inland from direct economic benefits are estimated percentage of salt that is favored by and nationally important species.
the coast and allowing a new ‘intertidal’ at £90 million, compared with project consumers.
Harnessing the power of nature to tackle climate change: 5 lessons based on what works 4
Lesson 2: Work with business in ingenious ways: Wallasea Island
The Essex coast was a haven for The ability of Wallasea to hold water now and 70 pairs respectively) and black
wildlife 400 years ago, but coastal helps to protect the adjacent estuary headed gulls (2000 pairs). Around
erosion and land conversion for and land from the negative impact of 30,000 water birds spend winter at the
agriculture meant that only a tenth of an unplanned breach of its seawall, reserve, with eight species recorded in
the original precious saltmarsh habitat contributing to providing a long-term nationally important numbers,
on this coast remained. In response, flood defence solution for the estuary. It and 4 species present in internationally
the RSPB’s Wallasea Island Wild also provides valuable habitat for coastal important numbers. In 2020, a survey
Coast Project in Essex is an incredible wildlife, sequesters carbon, and provides found 25 nationally scarce invertebrate
example of habitat re-creation and health and wellbeing benefits to the local species across the reserve, and the
a nature-based solution to climate community by providing a fantastic site
change, which pioneered working with for outdoor recreation. At 670 hectares,
businesses to restore the saltmarshes it is the largest coastal habitat restoration
and help local people adapt to rising sea ever completed in the UK – twice the size
levels – achieving remarkable things for of the City of London.
carbon, nature and community.
The £8 million project involved making
Wallasea’s saltmarsh had been approximately 160 hectares of the site
enclosed by sea defences and drained available to Crossrail to use the earth
for arable crops. However, in early from London tunnels to raise the land
2008, the RSPB was approached by above sea level. The Environment
Crossrail Ltd regarding a project to build Agency provided significant funding,
major new railway connections under working with other partners including
central London. The company was Defra and Natural England, which
seeking a beneficiary to re-use more helped secure that land as replacement
than three million tonnes of clean spoil intertidal habitat to offset losses of this
from their tunnelling. The Wallasea habitat elsewhere. This resulted in the
Island Wild Coast Project was born and creation of a new 115-hectare intertidal
sought to use this spoil to transform area of saltmarsh, islands and mudflats,
this island back into amazing intertidal named Jubilee Marsh. Saline lagoons,
coastal marshland, by raising the island a creek network and grazing marsh are
and allowing hard sea coastal defences managed by sluices to control water site also provides a nursery area for Lesson learned:
to breach to facilitate controlled levels, creating a variety of depths commercially important European working in innovative
flooding of the new saltmarsh and of water to suit different species. seabass and herring – encouraging partnerships with business can
wetlands in a managed realignment like visiting common seals. The wet present wildlife-friendly flood-
that at Medmerry. Public consultations Wallasea sits within a Special Protection grassland is grazed by cattle that defence solutions to the impacts of
with Local Authorities, Yacht Clubs and Area, meaning it is internationally manage grass length for wading birds, climate change upon our coastal
local communities helped the RSPB important for wildlife. It provides such as black-tailed godwits and communities that work for people,
develop the reserve design that we remarkable habitats for breeding water spoonbills and birds of prey such as nature and carbon.
see today. birds such as avocets, terns (over 100 short-eared owls and marsh harriers.
Harnessing the power of nature to tackle climate change: 5 lessons based on what works 5
Lesson 3: Prioritise peat: Forsinard
Flows to the Future, in the North of 10,000 years, the peat is now up to 10 disappearance from some areas of the In addition to the carbon benefits and
Scotland, was an ambitious partnership metres deep in some areas. habitat’s special wildlife. other important but hard to quantify
project led by RSPB Scotland, restoring biodiversity and ecosystem benefits, to
areas of blanket bog in the heart of the The Flow Country’s blanket bogs alone RSPB Scotland works in partnership offset the estimated £10.5 million total
Flow Country that had been damaged store more than double the amount with others to restore the damaged project expenditure over 5 years, future
by forestry planting and drainage. It of carbon found in all of Britain’s bogs by removing the forestry peatland restoration is expected to deliver
also involved and continues to connect woodlands6. They are also areas of plantations and by blocking drainage a further £6.3 million of benefit in additional
people with this precious habitat, international importance for biodiversity. ditches and forestry plough furrows, employment impacts (Gross Value Added)
delivering real economic benefits In addition, pollen preserved within which allows the peat to rehydrate across Caithness and Sutherland in the
for one of the most remote areas of the peat acts as an important record and start absorbing carbon rather than next 30 years8, all whilst providing habitat
Scotland. of past environments. However, releasing it. So far, over 2,600 hectares for wading birds like golden plovers,
after remaining largely untouched for of afforested bog have been cleared dunlins and greenshanks to return once
Peat bogs are an important defence millennia, a UK government drive to of trees to enable the bog to recover, the conditions are right.
against climate change because the produce more timber in the 1970s and but significant areas of land still need
dead plant material in the peat contains ‘80s led to large rewetted to both restore habitat and
carbon. As long as the peat remains areas of deep peat secure its carbon. According to the Lesson learned:
wet, this carbon stays locked up, being planted latest recommendations by the UK Rewetting and restoring peat bogs
preventing its release as carbon dioxide with non- Committee on Climate Change, the UK is a vital step to prevent damaged
into the atmosphere. Blanket bog is a native forestry urgently needs to rewet 100% of the peat acting as a carbon source
rare type of peatland which only plantations. UK’s peatlands7. rather than a carbon sink, whilst
forms in cool places with This led to simultaneously providing important
plenty of rain and that drying out of the This project to restore the degraded habitats to restore biodiversity and
covers the landscape peat, the release of bog now avoids large-scale emissions bringing economic value to the
like a blanket. Having stored carbon from of greenhouse gases at the site each surrounding area.
grown for over the peat and the year.
Harnessing the power of nature to tackle climate change: 5 lessons based on what works 6
Lesson 4: Right tree, right place: Cairngorms Connect
Cairngorms Connect is a partnership contribution to the quality of life, culture Financial support to make all of this damaging events such as fire, disease
project with a bold and ambitious 200- and well-being of local people. happen comes from the Endangered and windthrow, as well as helping reduce
year vision to enhance habitats, species Landscapes Programme9 which is the warming of watercourses.
and ecological processes across a vast This work is revolutionary in its vision funded by Arcadia and managed by the
area within the Cairngorms National and is the biggest habitat restoration Cambridge Conservation Initiative. Finally, one of the goals of Cairngorms
Park, Scotland. The project partners project in the country, with a goal Connect is to build understanding in
include the RSPB and neighbouring to create a seamless landscape for One of the many strands of the project the community about the project and
landowners and the area stretches nature, resilient to the effects of focuses on enhancing native woodlands to increase acceptance of the benefits
over 600 square kilometres, filled with climate change. The project also by managing herbivore impacts (domestic of restoration. This is done through
ancient woodlands, rivers, lochs, and seeks to reduce carbon emissions livestock and deer populations), the stakeholder engagement with the local
mountains, containing vast expanses through restoration and to increase eradication of non-native trees and community, surveys, and real market
of blanket bog, tranquil wetlands and carbon sequestration through locally- shrubs where they risk dominating native economic impact being measured in jobs
woodland bogs. appropriate delivery of nature-based woodlands, and the enrichment of tree and value added to the local economy.
solutions to climate change. species that have been lost from native
The Cairngrorms Connect project seeks woods due to high levels of grazing.
to enhance the ecosystem services Over 5,000 species have been recorded As such, by December 2023, the project Lesson learned:
provided by a healthy environment at Cairngorms Connect, around will successfully complete 800ha of new Adhering to the principle of ‘right
rich in life. We know that joined up, 20% of which are Nationally Rare or Scots pine regeneration, 600ha of new tree, right place’ has multiple
natural landscapes function more Scarce. Some are recorded nowhere native woodland planting, repaired 900ha benefits for wildlife as well as the
effectively and better serve the needs else in Britain. Eagles, wildcats, pine of damaged bog woodlands. Working ecosystem services that the area
of wildlife and people and the project martens, black grouse, ptarmigan, with the principle ‘right tree, right place’, provides for local communities
embraces our responsibility to deliver otters, lapwings, tooth-fungi, shining- the project seeks to create a bigger forest and ensures the land is more
these benefits such as flood regulation, guest ants and sub-Alpine mosses which will be more able to accommodate adaptable to climatic changes.
climate regulation, food provision and a all find a home in the project area. the ecological impacts of large-scale
Harnessing the power of nature to tackle climate change: 5 lessons based on what works 7
Lesson 5: People, nature and climate can live in harmony: St Aidans
At St Aidan’s in the Lower Aire Valley of management benefits. This natural Having sites like this along a river system It is also an important site for breeding
Yorkshire, the RSPB, the Environment flood management approach eliminated is a huge opportunity to protect homes populations of the black-necked grebe,
Agency and Leeds City Council have the need for expenditure on concrete and businesses from flooding, an issue bittern and redshank as well as hosting
created an inland 400-hectare wetland walls and both protects the immediate identified by the Committee on Climate otters, harvest mice and a range of bat
nature reserve by adapting a former community and prevents funnelling Change as one of the critical risks that species. The site is made up of a tapestry
opencast coal mine. The site stores flood water to communities further the UK is not yet prepared for in our of different habitats such as reedbed,
7.5 million cubic metres of flood water down the Humber estuary. adaptation planning in the face of more wetland, meadows and woodland that
and can reduce the downstream flood extreme weather events10. This scheme support this incredible array of wildlife
peak by 400mm, protecting homes The site is linked with the nearby demonstrates how we can slow the flow and bring the local community closer to
in Allerton Bywater, Castleford and Fairburn Ings nature reserve, which is of water by holding flood water safely nature on their doorstep.
surrounding villages. also designed to protect locals from within the catchment to reduce the
flooding. When the River Aire risk of damage to homes and increase
The current site was formed reaches capacity, water is the resilience of local communities to Lesson learned:
when the opencast directed onto Fairburn Ings, extreme weather events. Natural flood management has
coal mining area was away from homes and multiple benefits for nature and
flooded in 1988, business in Castleford, The site hosts 12km of public trails, people in the face of a changing
after the riverbank and the river level is promoting access to nature and outdoor climate, protecting communities
collapsed. Mining reduced downstream. exercise opportunities to the local from flood risks as the impacts of
subsequently ceased The visitor centre population of Leeds. The green tourism extreme weather events worsen,
in 2002 and the is on stilts to help potential for new visitors is huge, with whilst providing adaptive spaces
land was converted protect it from the the site acting as a vital base on the for nature to thrive and for
to a nature reserve intermittent rise in migratory journey of a wide range of birds communities to access nature.
with natural flood water levels. like the curlew, lapwing and pochard.
Harnessing the power of nature to tackle climate change: 5 lessons based on what works 8
Estimated savings and benefits to the UK over the next century
if we restore and create our peatlands, saltmarshes and woodlands
Based on carbon and recreation benefits, as well as air quality benefits for woodlands
RSPB analysis of how much of these habitats we need to restore and create over the coming decades
suggests that these nature-based solutions could generate benefits worth
This figure doesn’t include a host of other benefits
Biodiversity Water quality Flood management
Noise mitigation Temperature regulation Job creation
Harnessing the power of nature to tackle climate change: 5 lessons based on what works 9
Endnotes Our mission
1 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/292928/geho0609bqds-e-e.pdf The RSPB is dedicated to creating a
2 https://environmentagency.blog.gov.uk/2016/10/17/building-a-greener-future/ world richer in nature. We use our
3 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-019-0951-7 expertise in birds and nature to provide
4 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3704532/ evidence-based solutions to the nature
5 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-44097-3 and climate emergency, helping people
6 https://www.theflowcountry.org.uk/flow-facts/flow-fact-1/ live well in harmony with nature. We
7 https://www.theccc.org.uk/2021/06/16/uk-struggling-to-keep-pace-with-climate-change-impacts/ work with our partners to keep common
8 https://www.theflowcountry.org.uk/about-us/flows-to-the-future/ species common, recover threatened
9 https://www.endangeredlandscapes.org/ species, protect and restore special
10 https://www.theccc.org.uk/2021/06/16/uk-struggling-to-keep-pace-with-climate-change-impacts/ places and inspire and enable everyone
to act for nature. We are the UK partner
Unless otherwise stated, all images are from rspb-images.com. Front cover: river by (shutterstock.com). Page 2: flooding by
of BirdLife International, operating in
Richard Packwood, Black-legged kittiwake by David Tipling. Page 3: Storm Ciara Richard Packwood. Page 4: Medmerry by the four countries of the UK, the Crown
(Environment Agency), shelduck by Ben Hall. Page 5: spoonbill by Richard Brooks, Wallsea Island by David Wootton. Page 6:
Peatland pools at Forsinard by David Tipling, golden plover by Mike Lane. Page 7 Cairngorms by David Tipling, capercaillie by Dependencies and Overseas Territories.
(shutterstock.com). Page 8: St Aidans by Jennie Smith, otter by (shutterstock.com). Page 9: wild flowers by Colin Wilkinson, water
vole by Ben Andrew, flooded field by Gwyn Williams, trees by (RSPB), traffic jam by Eleanor Bentall, cracked soil by Ben Andrew,
We also work globally, wherever our
hands by (shutterstock.com). Above: tree by David Broadbent. shared nature goes or the need exists.
The RSPB is a registered charity in England and Wales 207076, in Scotland SCO37654 327-0185-21-22You can also read
