TO BE PUBLISHED November 2024
Price: £150 PLUS VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference will examine land use in England and priorities for food, nature and climate.
With the new Government setting out plans to introduce a land use framework, the conference will be a timely opportunity to bring stakeholders and policymakers together to examine priorities for its development, as well as the direction of policy.
In assessing issues that have been raised by stakeholders concerning the management of competing land use needs - including providing clarity for the agriculture sector - sessions in the agenda will consider effective allocation of land to meet both stakeholder demands and national objectives, and the way forward for tackling net zero targets. Areas for discussion include food production, nature restoration and climate adaptation, as well as the role of land in supporting renewable energy and social wellbeing.
Delegates will explore strategies for building long-term food security, which is a key national ambition for the new Government, and priorities for using land to address challenges for food production. They will discuss the way forward for maximising quality and productive farmland for food production, options for managing increased costs, the role of ELM schemes in mitigating financial barriers and supporting both farmers and nature, and key issues for improving biodiversity to mitigate risks to future food production. They will also consider opportunities for repurposing poorer quality farmland for nature restoration and renewable energy.
We expect discussion on how a collaborative strategic direction to address nature recovery could be developed. Challenges will be examined for the implementation of sustainable land management at scale, including concerns raised by some stakeholders, such as encouraging greater uptake of regenerative farming practices, expanding nature-rich habitats and improving soil health, as well as options for improving public access to nature through accelerated woodland creation.
Further areas for discussion include issues raised by the House of Lords Land Use in England Committee on priorities for leadership and monitoring impact in future policy, the role of local knowledge and adaptability in coordinating an effective land use framework, and navigating the practicalities of a multifunctional approach to land use, as trialled in the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission’s pilot programmes.
We expect discussion to bring out latest thinking on the role of land management in supporting climate change mitigation and reducing agricultural emissions - including the future for implementing carbon sequestration measures, and furthering the use of technology and data into land use practices to inform decision-making.
We are pleased to be able to include keynote sessions with: Lord Cameron of Dillington, former Chair, Land Use in England Committee; Sue Pritchard, Chief Executive, Food, Farming & Countryside Commission; and Professor Lee-Ann Sutherland, Director, International Land Use Study Centre, The James Hutton Institute.
Overall, areas for discussion include:
- land use framework: assessing policy proposals and priorities for the new Government - whether ambitions go far enough - what is needed from policy and key stakeholders if national targets are to be achieved
- strategic priorities: evaluating trends in demands on land in England - implementing effective land use coordination - holistic approaches for building long-term sustainability and productivity
- net zero: maximising land use to reduce emissions - options for utilising the right land for renewable energy - examining best practice for sustainable agriculture
- food production: overcoming barriers to maximising domestic food production - expanding uptake of regenerative farming practices - adapting to climate change
- sustainable land management: exploring approaches to maximising resilience - improving soil health and water quality - assessing the role of ELMs and environmental schemes
- nature restoration: unlocking nature-rich habitats to tackle biodiversity loss - increasing public footfall and access to nature within local communities - next steps for woodland and landscape conservation
- leadership: strategic priorities for the coordination of local and national land use and management - addressing concerns over the application of a potential framework - implementing a multifunctional approach
- innovation: opportunities for utilising technology and data to tackle land use issues - developing novel approaches and engagement with emerging practices
The conference will be an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who are due to attend from Defra; EA; Forestry Commission; DESNZ; DAERA, NI; and HM Treasury - as well as parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons.
The proceedings of the conference will be circulated more widely, to Parliamentarians, ministerial offices, and government and regulatory officials with an interest in the issues being discussed. All delegates will also receive a video recording of the conference.
