Figures show that English landowners have received more than £9 billion in environmental tax benefits over the last 30 years, despite nature declining.
Conservationist and author Guy Shrubsole, who unearthed the data for his new book, The Lie of The Land, said large landowners should be required to publish regular reports showing how they manage their land for nature and carbon.
This “environmental end-of-life study” would ensure that landowners are using the public funds they are given to improve nature, rather than simply getting rich for owning more than 1,000 acres.
Shrubsole argues that the people who own these vast tracts of land should be held accountable for the nature and biodiversity crisis, and that landowners of more than 1,000 acres should publish reports every five years on the work they are doing to restore habitat, reinstate wildlife and increase natural carbon sinks.
Landowners and farmers in England received £9.2 billion in environmental management grants between 1992 and 2022, equivalent to £12.5 billion adjusted for inflation. Despite this, England's natural environment is deteriorating sharply, with only 39% of England's Sites of Special Scientific Interest in good condition and farmland bird numbers having halved since 1970.
These management plans include activities such as improving soil health, preventing water pollution, increasing wildlife populations, managing flooding and providing public access to the land.
Mr Shrubsole said: “For decades, the public have paid billions of pounds to ensure that landowners look after nature well. In some cases it has worked, but too often landowners have failed to deliver on their promises, leaving habitats and wildlife in near-catastrophic decline.”
“The definition of stewardship is managing the land on behalf of us, the public. So tell us what you're doing to be a good steward. Conduct an ecological end of life survey. If you're fortunate enough to own more than 1,000 acres, you should publish a map of your property, a baseline ecological survey, and a plan for restoring habitat, species and carbon over the next five years.”
“It's time to hold the 1% of the population who own half of England and often call themselves 'protectors of the countryside' accountable to the people.”
