How are we performing currently?
The framework below sets out the criteria against which the current status can be assessed. Aspirational objectives are then set to encourage progress towards the vision. Land use is a much more complex area than, say, renewable energy provision (which can be measured as a specific percentage of requirements). For this initial assessment we have taken the Zero Carbon Britain model (explained further below) and set out a rough set of steps towards achieving this. For this measure, a critical first step will be to define what the future land use vision should be along with further work to set out clearer goals and expectations.
The framework below sets out the criteria against which the current status can be assessed. Aspirational objectives are then set to encourage progress towards the vision. Land use is a much more complex area than, say, renewable energy provision (which can be measured as a specific percentage of requirements). For this initial assessment we have taken the Zero Carbon Britain model (explained further below) and set out a rough set of steps towards achieving this. For this measure, a critical first step will be to define what the future land use vision should be along with further work to set out clearer goals and expectations.
2021 Assessment
Where are we now and what else do we need to know?
Despite living in a county blessed with some of the most beautiful countryside and landscapes the country has to offer, the Valuing Nature Research Project (VNRP) Report[1] (Trends in Natural Capital, Ecosystem Services and Economic Development in Dorset), led by a team at Bournemouth University concluded that “Dorset’s environment has been seriously degraded over the past 80 years. Measures of biodiversity value have undergone a substantial decline in this period, (with a) 97% loss of neutral grassland and 70% loss of calcareous grassland. The condition of remaining semi-natural habitats has been reduced by nitrogen deposition and habitat fragmentation; (…) the mean area of heathland patches has declined by 29% since 1978. These trends are primarily attributable to agricultural intensification and changing farming practices.”
[1] https://dorsetlnp.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/TPAL-Dorset-Natural-Capital-Trends-Report-2019.pdf
This extensive report has been the core input to this chapter as it provides a comprehensive analysis of most of the aspects we need to consider. While Dorset Council (DC) original CEE plan suggested emissions from land use may only form 2% of the area’s total, the VNRP report suggests this may be understated and certainly does not reflect the poor health of our natural environment. In 2019, Defra data suggests there may be a net sequestration of carbon of 145 ktCO2e.
As can be seen, land use is a complex area, however because Dorset’s farmed areas represents 75% of our land, which is broadly in line with the UK average of 70% [1], we have adopted the ZCB model as a starting point to aim for, pending the development of a more localised version. This mix has been calculated to provide appropriate levels of carbon capture, a dramatic increase in the amount of food we produce for ourselves, some production of energy crops, and growing hemp for buildings and infrastructure. As noted in the Power Down chapter, there are multiple benefits of using natural products in the building process, including straw and wood. This land use scenario is primarily achieved through reducing the area of grassland used for livestock (the implications of this are covered in the Eat Well chapter). These changes are illustrated below.
[1] https://dorsetlnp.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/TPAL-Dorset-Natural-Capital-Trends-Report-2019.pdf p9
Where are we now and what else do we need to know?
Despite living in a county blessed with some of the most beautiful countryside and landscapes the country has to offer, the Valuing Nature Research Project (VNRP) Report[1] (Trends in Natural Capital, Ecosystem Services and Economic Development in Dorset), led by a team at Bournemouth University concluded that “Dorset’s environment has been seriously degraded over the past 80 years. Measures of biodiversity value have undergone a substantial decline in this period, (with a) 97% loss of neutral grassland and 70% loss of calcareous grassland. The condition of remaining semi-natural habitats has been reduced by nitrogen deposition and habitat fragmentation; (…) the mean area of heathland patches has declined by 29% since 1978. These trends are primarily attributable to agricultural intensification and changing farming practices.”
[1] https://dorsetlnp.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/TPAL-Dorset-Natural-Capital-Trends-Report-2019.pdf
This extensive report has been the core input to this chapter as it provides a comprehensive analysis of most of the aspects we need to consider. While Dorset Council (DC) original CEE plan suggested emissions from land use may only form 2% of the area’s total, the VNRP report suggests this may be understated and certainly does not reflect the poor health of our natural environment. In 2019, Defra data suggests there may be a net sequestration of carbon of 145 ktCO2e.
As can be seen, land use is a complex area, however because Dorset’s farmed areas represents 75% of our land, which is broadly in line with the UK average of 70% [1], we have adopted the ZCB model as a starting point to aim for, pending the development of a more localised version. This mix has been calculated to provide appropriate levels of carbon capture, a dramatic increase in the amount of food we produce for ourselves, some production of energy crops, and growing hemp for buildings and infrastructure. As noted in the Power Down chapter, there are multiple benefits of using natural products in the building process, including straw and wood. This land use scenario is primarily achieved through reducing the area of grassland used for livestock (the implications of this are covered in the Eat Well chapter). These changes are illustrated below.
[1] https://dorsetlnp.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/TPAL-Dorset-Natural-Capital-Trends-Report-2019.pdf p9
Figure 1. Area of land used for capturing carbon in the ZCD scenario.
Figure 2. Approximate land use in the ZCB scenario.
Using this scenario we can start to map the required outcomes of changes in land use across the county. However, changing land use, as with many other areas in this report, requires the appropriate legislative framework to encourage the correct approaches and will need to take account of the unique and beautiful landscape, where over half of the county is designated as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Dorset AONB is home to well over 80% of the UK's bird, butterfly and mammal species as well as all 6 of the native British reptile species. It also requires landowners, particularly the ten who own one sixth of Dorset, to adopt such practices. The National Farmers Union’s (NFU) commitment to Net Zero is welcome both in recognising the problem and the role farming has to play in the solution. The farming community will need to be both continually engaged and compensated appropriately, nevertheless issues of land ownership may also need to be addressed (something we consider in the Justice chapter). Where possible the wider adoption of regenerative farming practices will be needed. This will include making changes to Dorset Council’s own county farm estate, which comprises 46 farms spread over 2,600 hectares. Yet, despite these factors we can make significant changes and, in many places, already have. With land owned by local authorities, supportive organisations (e.g. the National Trust) and by forward thinking individuals (see Case Studies) we can take significant steps in the right direction.
One exciting local step forward was the creation of a ‘super’ National Nature Reserve in the Purbecks, bringing together seven landowners and covering 3,331 hectares (8,231 acres). The Purbeck Heaths National Nature Reserve (NNR) is the largest area of lowland heath managed as a single nature reserve in England and is “a product of collaboration and determination to make a real difference to nature recovery”. With the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust, Dorset Wildlife Trust, Forestry England, National Trust, Natural England, Rempstone Estate and the RSPB working together they “aim to restore natural processes across the whole NNR, making it more resilient to climate change and other pressures (while creating) a better experience for people enjoying the heathland, whilst protecting sensitive areas”.
As well as restoring natural processes, there is a growing call for the issues of climate change and environmental breakdown to be addressed using nature-based solutions. The International Union for Conservation of Nature describe these as the “actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits”, suggesting that 37% of all the actions required to achieve the Paris Climate Agreement could be achieved by implementing nature-based solutions. In 2021, led by Prof. Rick Stafford of Bournemouth University, the British Ecological Society published Nature-based solutions a landmark report on nature-based solutions for climate change in the UK.
Closely linked to this is the issue of soil health. The UN[4] notes that “although soils are essential for human well-being and the sustainability of life on the planet, they are threatened on all continents by natural erosion,”. The way we farm and manage our land is key to addressing this.
Across Dorset we will need to dramatically increase tree cover as part of national and global actions on reforestation. As at March 2021, just 12% of Dorset, and 13% of the UK overall, is woodland[3]. This needs to be part of the wider plan for land, with the type and siting of any trees planted carefully considered, as too limited a range can present other environmental issues. Nevertheless, the planting of trees and expansion of woodland at pace and scale is one of the key ways to help reduce the level of carbon in the atmosphere and properly selected and planted, especially in urban areas, they can add to the visual attractiveness of an area, provide natural cooling, offer protection against flooding and improve wellbeing.
Urgent action is needed to improve the quality of Dorset's rivers which are in a really parlous state, with very few achieving "good" ecological status. The main problems are run-off of agricultural pollution, especially fertilisers, and the release of untreated sewage.
The Environment Bill (Environment Act 2021) which gained Royal Assent as this chapter was being finalised contains some encouraging elements that may assist some of the ideas raised here. Media coverage of the limitations of other aspects (in particular the discharge of sewage into rivers) also demonstrates that there are areas of weakness. We will more closely examine the full implications in future reports.
As noted in the introduction, the role of the sea is included in this chapter because the health of our oceans is critical to both addressing climate change and sustaining life in general. Our coastal areas need to be restored and protected and can provide both carbon sequestration and agricultural services. In fact seagrass absorbs and stores carbon 35 times more effectively than rain forests[2]. Opportunities are already being explored to develop areas of seagrass meadow in Dorset, the wider benefits of which are set out within the Further Information section. Alongside this the extension of protected marine zones is a crucial element in protecting our coastal habitats.
As an example, although just 4sq km in area, the Poole Rocks Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) provides an indication of just how rich and diverse our coastal areas could be if more were provided with MCZ status. Poole Harbour suffers from several environmental challenges, particularly nitrogen run-off. The reduction in beef and dairy farming, as well as changes to the way we grow crops, and the adoption of organic and regenerative farming practices will contribute significantly to addressing this (as will continued investment by Wessex Water in the sewerage infrastructure).
One exciting local step forward was the creation of a ‘super’ National Nature Reserve in the Purbecks, bringing together seven landowners and covering 3,331 hectares (8,231 acres). The Purbeck Heaths National Nature Reserve (NNR) is the largest area of lowland heath managed as a single nature reserve in England and is “a product of collaboration and determination to make a real difference to nature recovery”. With the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust, Dorset Wildlife Trust, Forestry England, National Trust, Natural England, Rempstone Estate and the RSPB working together they “aim to restore natural processes across the whole NNR, making it more resilient to climate change and other pressures (while creating) a better experience for people enjoying the heathland, whilst protecting sensitive areas”.
As well as restoring natural processes, there is a growing call for the issues of climate change and environmental breakdown to be addressed using nature-based solutions. The International Union for Conservation of Nature describe these as the “actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits”, suggesting that 37% of all the actions required to achieve the Paris Climate Agreement could be achieved by implementing nature-based solutions. In 2021, led by Prof. Rick Stafford of Bournemouth University, the British Ecological Society published Nature-based solutions a landmark report on nature-based solutions for climate change in the UK.
Closely linked to this is the issue of soil health. The UN[4] notes that “although soils are essential for human well-being and the sustainability of life on the planet, they are threatened on all continents by natural erosion,”. The way we farm and manage our land is key to addressing this.
Across Dorset we will need to dramatically increase tree cover as part of national and global actions on reforestation. As at March 2021, just 12% of Dorset, and 13% of the UK overall, is woodland[3]. This needs to be part of the wider plan for land, with the type and siting of any trees planted carefully considered, as too limited a range can present other environmental issues. Nevertheless, the planting of trees and expansion of woodland at pace and scale is one of the key ways to help reduce the level of carbon in the atmosphere and properly selected and planted, especially in urban areas, they can add to the visual attractiveness of an area, provide natural cooling, offer protection against flooding and improve wellbeing.
Urgent action is needed to improve the quality of Dorset's rivers which are in a really parlous state, with very few achieving "good" ecological status. The main problems are run-off of agricultural pollution, especially fertilisers, and the release of untreated sewage.
The Environment Bill (Environment Act 2021) which gained Royal Assent as this chapter was being finalised contains some encouraging elements that may assist some of the ideas raised here. Media coverage of the limitations of other aspects (in particular the discharge of sewage into rivers) also demonstrates that there are areas of weakness. We will more closely examine the full implications in future reports.
As noted in the introduction, the role of the sea is included in this chapter because the health of our oceans is critical to both addressing climate change and sustaining life in general. Our coastal areas need to be restored and protected and can provide both carbon sequestration and agricultural services. In fact seagrass absorbs and stores carbon 35 times more effectively than rain forests[2]. Opportunities are already being explored to develop areas of seagrass meadow in Dorset, the wider benefits of which are set out within the Further Information section. Alongside this the extension of protected marine zones is a crucial element in protecting our coastal habitats.
As an example, although just 4sq km in area, the Poole Rocks Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) provides an indication of just how rich and diverse our coastal areas could be if more were provided with MCZ status. Poole Harbour suffers from several environmental challenges, particularly nitrogen run-off. The reduction in beef and dairy farming, as well as changes to the way we grow crops, and the adoption of organic and regenerative farming practices will contribute significantly to addressing this (as will continued investment by Wessex Water in the sewerage infrastructure).
Current assessment
Having considered the current assessment documented above the report contributors have assessed the county’s current category as:
Having considered the current assessment documented above the report contributors have assessed the county’s current category as:
