COP29: Five ways government can deliver climate action for the countryside

This week marks the second half of the UN Climate Change Conference, COP29 – a crucial moment for countries to accelerate action on the climate emergency. This crisis is the biggest threat facing our countryside and planet, and is already having far-reaching impacts on nature, food security and livelihoods around the world.

We would like to see urgent progress to advance a fair transition towards a low carbon countryside. Also, we want the government to recognise the role our countryside and green spaces can play in tackling the climate and nature crises.  

Each year, COP marks an important meeting of governments and world leaders, who assess global efforts on tackling the climate emergency and discuss opportunities for collaborative action. This year, the focus of COP29 will be on investing in a livable planet for all. At CPRE, we would like to see an effective funding strategy implemented in England to empower rural areas in the delivery of net zero emissions, thus achieving a healthy countryside. We are keen to see the decisions being made at COP29 being matched with practical action here in England, and we will work with the government to advance climate solutions for the countryside. 

What we would like to see at COP29: 

1. Adoption of ambitious climate goals and more sustainable practices 

We are pleased to see the government setting 2035 Nationally Determined Contributions at COP29, committing to reduce emissions by a minimum of 81%, and ensuring that this is matched with clear, ambitious action plans.  

We’ve long advocated for those in power to take bold action on climate change, as well as to harness nature- and countryside-based solutions. From better designed homes and sustainable development, to a climate-resilient Green Belt and the rollout of rooftop solar, we’re committed to pushing for continued action to achieve these goals. 

2. Funding directed to rural communities and better land use  

The countryside plays a vital role in tackling the climate emergency and can contribute significantly to meeting our climate goals – from sustainable farming to enhancing biodiversity and carbon sequestration. We must take steps to support farming through funding and policy which restores soil health, stores carbon and supports nature recovery.  

From providing clean water and air to food and nature, our countryside has the potential to offer a range of ecosystem services so that people and communities can thrive. It’s critical that the government recognises this and takes steps to balance the competing demands on our land. In England, this means a bold and ambitious land use framework; an approach that sets out how best we can use our finite land for people, planet and nature recovery.  

3. Practical support for the renewable energy transition  

Making the most of our renewable energy sources requires transformational change across the world, ensuring that everyone can benefit from this transition. CPRE is pushing for a decentralised, zero carbon energy system which empowers local communities and is delivered in harmony with the natural environment.  

Our research shows that we can meet more than half of our solar energy targets by putting solar panels on the roofs of warehouses, car parks, industrial buildings and new homes. This is a common-sense solution which protects more of our countryside to provide a space for nature, capture carbon, and provide food and tranquillity for us. In some cases, the international community is leading the way here. ‘Zero Yen Solar’ has rapidly boosted rooftop solar capacity in Japan by stripping out large upfront costs in exchange for lower cost power purchasing agreements. In Germany, rooftop solar is mandated on new commercial buildings, and policy mechanisms are being created which encourage retrofitting rooftop solar on existing buildings too. This is the kind of ambition we need to see here too.  

In England, putting solar on rooftops across the country is a cost-effective and beneficial option for enhancing renewable energy generation. It provides opportunities for community benefit whilst minimising the impacts on the countryside. CPRE Hampshire and CPRE Sussex’s new solar mapping tool indicates hotspots for potential rooftop solar and provides policy recommendations for supporting rapid local decarbonisation and energy generation efforts.  

4. A commitment to prioritising community involvement and building resilient communities  

COP29 provides the chance to amplify and empower rural and coastal communities, who are often those most at risk, to enhance their climate resilience. We believe that it is vital to uplift the voices of local communities to ensure a beneficial transition, sensitive to local places and landscapes. 

Our Community Energy Visioning project showed the impact of empowering local people to participate in shaping how clean energy infrastructure could work in their area. To achieve the best and most equitable outcomes in the energy transition, we must make sure communities are part of the process.  

Beyond that, people and organisations across the country are leading the way on creating sustainable and affordable communities. Examples such as the Hockerton Housing Project demonstrate the significant environmental, social and economic benefits of delivering sustainable affordable housing, when designed by local communities. 

5. Scaling adaptation efforts to protect rural areas and those most vulnerable 

To enhance the benefits of renewable energy requires a stronger, better-connected grid which boosts capacity and access This would enable energy to be delivered at scale and make best use of our resources. We want to ensure rural resilience through accelerated investment in grid capacity and improved connectivity, so that all areas are able deliver this transition. 

Through incorporating countryside solutions into adaptation and mitigation efforts, we can enhance rural resilience, protect ecosystems and landscapes. But beyond protecting our landscapes, we need to restore them. We want to see investment into expanding the UK’s hedgerow network and increasing tree planting to help restore our natural world. This effect will drive carbon back into the ground, reduce flooding, improve air quality, and support adaptation through creating resilient spaces and essential wildlife habitats. 

We’re proud of our CPRE groups and volunteers across the country who have been mobilising their communities and planting and restoring huge lengths of hedgerow in their local areas. But there’s a lack of funding to support landscape-scale restoration, and we urge the government to invest in the future of our countryside.  

Let’s ensure that we use the momentum of COP29 to deliver climate action for our planet and countryside.