Northern England's degraded nature could fuel a greener, fairer recovery
A new report argues that nature could help build a greener, fairer, and more prosperous future for Northern England. But the study also warns that much of the region's natural environment is currently in poor shape, with recent flooding and moorland fires as clear examples of the problem. The report, written by Jack Hunter for IPPR North, claims that Northern nature has long been undervalued. As a result, the region's natural assets—from peatlands to woodlands—are now degraded. The study highlights that restoring these areas could bring major benefits, including better flood resilience, cleaner air, and lower carbon emissions.
Access to green spaces is another key issue. The report points out that deprived communities and BAME groups often have less access to nature than others. It calls on policymakers to address this imbalance as part of a wider push to improve quality of life. The authors urge Northern leaders and the government to make nature a priority in post-Covid-19 recovery plans. They propose a pan-regional effort to invest in nature as a way to boost the economy and public health. The report also warns of wider threats, citing research from Fields in Trust that nearly 20,000 football pitches worth of green space could disappear across the UK in the next two decades. Restoring peatlands and planting more trees are among the suggested solutions. These measures, the report argues, would create jobs, cut emissions, and make communities more resilient to climate change.
The findings challenge Northern leaders to act now. By investing in nature, the report claims, the region can secure economic growth, better health, and a more sustainable future. Without action, however, the North risks losing even more of its natural assets to neglect and development.
