Harnessing Nature to Tackle Climate Change

A pioneering new research project is set to explore how nature-based solutions (NBS) can be optimised to support the UK’s climate adaptation efforts and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The Centre for Food Policy at City St George’s, University of London, has been awarded £1.6 million in funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to lead this ambitious initiative, which will bring together experts from multiple disciplines.

The Role of the South East Rivers Trust

The South East Rivers Trust (SERT) is proud to be part of this groundbreaking project through its involvement in the Holistic Water for Horticulture (HWH) initiative. SERT’s contribution will be focused on floodplain restoration at West Pikefish Farm on the lower Teise, helping to generate valuable evidence on how NBS can be scaled up effectively.

Sam Hughes, Senior Water and Land Stewardship Officer at SERT, said:

“The South East Rivers Trust is part of an exciting new multidisciplinary project that aims to link the benefits of nature-based solutions (NBS) for climate adaptation and greater water resilience in food and drink supply chains. By working with on-the-ground projects, we hope to identify the best strategies for scaling up NBS and supporting their implementation as part of the UK’s long-term net-zero goals.”

What is the JPP4JL Project?

SERT’s work is part of the broader Joined-up Policy and Practice for Joined-up Landscapes (JPP4JL) initiative, a three-year project from January 2025. Led by the Centre for Food Policy at City St George’s, it brings together experts from institutions such as King’s College London, Birkbeck, Brunel University London, Harper Adams University, and the Universities of Reading, York, and Cambridge, as well as organisations like WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme), the Wye and Usk Foundation, and the North Essex Farm Cluster.

The JPP4JL project will examine how NBS can contribute to climate adaptation, carbon sequestration, flood management, and biodiversity net gain. Crucially, it will investigate how different governance, and financial models can support NBS at varying scales, ensuring long-term resilience.

The Importance of Nature-Based Solutions

NBS involves restoring and managing natural ecosystems—such as wetlands, river catchments, and forests—to deliver multiple benefits for people and the environment. While they hold immense potential for reducing flood risks, capturing carbon, and enhancing biodiversity, challenges remain in securing funding and integrating these solutions into national and local policies.

Dr Christian Reynolds, Reader in Food Policy at the Centre for Food Policy and co-lead of the project, explained:

We seek to optimise the role of nature-based solutions in the UK for climate adaptation by understanding how they can be successfully implemented at local, regional, and national levels. Our focus is on identifying the best conditions for these solutions to thrive within different climate scenarios up to 2050.”

The project will evaluate and trial NBS in three key UK regions:

  • Wye and Usk
  • Medway, Kent
  • North Essex

By working with organisations such as the South East Rivers Trust, Wye and Usk Foundation, and the North Essex Farmers Cluster, researchers will assess how NBS can be successfully integrated into different landscapes, considering both environmental and socio-economic factors.

Looking to the Future

By combining evidence reviews, stakeholder interviews, workshops, and system dynamics modelling, the JPP4JL project will generate insights that can inform future policies and practices. The goal is to ensure that nature-based solutions play a crucial role in the UK’s climate resilience strategy.

Dr Reynolds added:

“We hope that the project will contribute significantly to the UK’s goal of building climate-resilient landscapes, making a lasting impact on policy and practice across the country.”

This exciting initiative represents a major step forward in harnessing the power of nature to tackle climate change. As one of the key partners, SERT is committed to playing its part in developing scalable, sustainable solutions for the future.