The climate agenda

68% OF CLA MEMBERS ARE UNDERTAKING SOME CLIMATE ACTION

CLA Land Use Policy Adviser Alice Green explains how the Association will be developing its work on climate action in 2022 to ensure the rural economy is at the top of the agenda

limate change awareness built

Csteadily during 2021 in the runup to the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow. The CLA was pleased to present at a fringe event at COP26, focusing on the landowners’ role in nature-based solutions to address climate change and support nature recovery. The event was part of an increasing CLA focus on climate change policy and advice in recent years. This aligns with our natural capital focus, which you can fi nd out more about on page 26.

While agriculture and land use change are often in the headlines in relation to climate change and are a focus for much of our work, we have also been championing the wider rural economy and issues related to decarbonising energy in rural areas, upgrading the electric network to allow more renewable energy projects and electric vehicle charging. This was evident at the CLA’s Rural Business Conference in December 2021, and accompanying publication Towards Net Zero, which showcases some of the climate actions taken by members.

There is potential for farmers and land managers to contribute to climate action, but just as no two farms are the same, there is no blueprint for how to do this.

From the 2021 CLA climate change member survey, we know 68% of respondents are taking action, but for some, climate action is more di cult due to land, time and fi nance and other constraints.

The barriers to taking voluntary action to tackle climate change are signifi cant. The costs of investments for climate action and the lack of market premiums are key problems. However, there is scope to incentivise and reward climate actions through government public goods payments and emerging carbon markets. There is still work to do to make these work eff ectively together, alongside work on clarifying the tax ‘Our aim is to treatment and the legal support members agreements for selling carbon. These continue in addressing to be areas of focus for climate change the CLA in 2022. The CLA will take and to ensure advantage of the momentum from 2021 that the rural to build climate action economy is not and resilience into all aspects of our work across left behind’ agriculture, woodlands, environment, energy and housing. We aim to support members in addressing climate change in their business activities and local communities by providing information and advice. We also continue our work to ensure that the rural economy is not left behind but is instead a leading contributor to a net zero economy, with support from the right of the climate a government policies and governance of

There is pote carbon markets. managers to co If you have questions on climate change, but just as no please visit the CLA website for resources, there is no bl or speak to our national or regional

From the 202 advisers. If you would like to get involved in member surv climate policy development, we have a CLA responden climate panel that helps the policy team for some, develop ideas and respond to consultations. di cult d Please email alice.green@cla.org.uk for fi nanc more information or to join the panel.