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Science Signpost. Integrating nature's value into land-use decisions across the UK 2026

Abstract

The UK’s limited land area faces rising and often competing demands across food, energy and infrastructure. The country's overall resilience depends on how we refine and balance these needs while considering supply-chain and climate risks.

This report outlines a possible operating model to catalyse progress towards multifunctional land-use, emphasising the benefits functioning ecosystems provide. The approach suggests assessing the cumulative land-use strategies across the four nations against overall UK needs, building meaningful regional choice in land-use change decisions, and co-ordinating the development of spatial evidence that helps make trade-offs visible and delivery measurable. Taken together, these elements could enhance the UK’s resilience and resource security by emphasising the natural benefits land provides and ensuring it is used in ways that safeguard essential supplies, protect critical natural assets and support stable, long-term growth.

This resource is available in PDF and html format. If you need a copy in a different format, please contact Communications@jncc.gov.uk.

Resource type Publication

Topic category Environment

Reference date 2026·08·07

Citation
McGrath, H. & Jones, G. 2026. Integrating nature’s value into land-use decisions across the UK. Science signposts: setting out strategic opportunities for nature recovery. (Ed. S. Wilkinson). JNCC, Peterborough

Lineage
JNCC's 'Science Signposts' series sets out key emerging opportunities and recommendations for enhancing evidence and adjusting policy to accelerate nature's recovery. The recommendations are particularly focused on the four, UK, country governments, but include recommendations which are relevant more broadly across other sectors and geographies.

Responsible organisation
Communications, JNCC author

Limitations on public access No limitations

Use constraints Available under the Open Government Licence 3.0

Metadata date 2026·08·07

Metadata point of contact
Communications, JNCC

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