We need to reframe land-use change in the UK, move away from net zero as the central goal, and talk to farmers more about their livelihoods.

These are just some of the insights from our webinar with Chris Stark in July 2024 – which is now available as a briefing (including transcript) below. You can also watch the webinar. 

Chris is one of the country’s best known and most senior civil servants working on climate policy, and was chief executive of the Climate Change Committee until April, where he lead the development of the seminal report Land Use: Policies for a net zero UK. In July/August 2024 he began leading the government’s ‘Mission Control’ to transition the UK energy sector to clean energy. 

8 key messages from Chris Stark on how to progress land-use change:

🌳 We need clarity on land use change – and a more exciting, collective discussion about what it could look like 

♻ We need to reframe land use change and move away from net zero as the central goal. A broader ‘mission’ could help

👩‍🌾  We need to rethink incentives given to farmers, including around livestock

🥩  We need a better discussion about dietary change, to acknowledge meat consumption is reducing, and help farmers prepare for this

🛒 The space between government and the private sector is currently under-used as a driver for policy change

🍏 Improving food security could be a better vehicle for discussing changes with farmers – but farming groups need to be involved

🚜 We need examples of best practice farming, but at scale 

🌱 Change and policy needs to be built from the ground up.

NOTE: Chris had not begun his new role in government when the webinar was recorded. The views expressed by him were personal opinions and not intended to indicate the approach of the new government.