Only nature can put the ‘net’ in ‘net zero’

29 October 2025

The Government has today published its Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan (read here) which details how the UK will reduce emissions in line with the Climate Change Act. Wildlife and Countryside Link, the biggest environmental coalition in England, wants to see nature put at the heart of net zero plans. Please find a reaction below:

Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said:
"The Government’s recognition that Britain’s best future lies in clean energy and climate action is absolutely right. The sentiment stands in glowing contrast to the short-sighted, short-termism of other parties' proposals to scrap the Climate Change Act.

"We're calling on Government to match the urgency of The Carbon Budget Delivery Plan with an ambitious Environmental Improvement Plan. Only nature can put the ‘net’ in ‘net zero’, by restoring whole landscapes with woodlands, peatlands, wetlands and wildflower meadows to lock away carbon and protect communities from climate impacts.

"Investing in nature recovery is not a ‘nice to have’ – it's the backbone of our net zero strategy, driving green jobs, resilient landscapes and a liveable future for people alongside wildlife.”