HOT TOPIC SUMMER 2025: REDUCING LANDSCAPE CARBON

To lower the UK's carbon footprint through landscape design and management, we must address how we plan, build, and maintain our landscapes. Key strategies and challenges are outlined below:

Key Focus Areas

1. Landscape Materials

   • Prioritise reused and recycled materials, such as in climate-positive design (e.g. paving).

   • Avoid high-carbon materials like steel and iron where possible.

2. Site Management

   • Minimise soil disturbance – damaged or dried soils release significant carbon.

   • Thoughtful site clearance and earthworks reduce emissions.

3. Planting

   • Planting trees and vegetation supports carbon capture.

   • Select native and drought-tolerant species for resilience and low maintenance.

4. Management & Maintenance

   • Reduce fuel use in maintenance (e.g., electric tools, smart irrigation).

   • Plan for long-term care that supports ecosystem health and soil integrity.

Natural Climate Solutions

• Soil Carbon Storage: Soils are major carbon sinks. Avoid disturbance to retain stored carbon.

• Vegetation as Carbon Sink: Healthy planting increases carbon capture.

• Regenerative practices: Support net-zero or even net-positive landscapes.

Common Barriers to Progress

1. Lack of knowledge or information

2. Cost and budget constraints

3. Client values and priorities

4. Limited availability of sustainable materials

5. Tight project timelines

Carbon Emissions & Industry Links

• Energy Supply and manufacturing (iron, steel) are major emission sources.

• Land use changes and aviation also contribute heavily to carbon emissions.

What You Can Do

• Advocate for climate-positive design.

• Educate clients on long-term benefits of sustainable approaches.

• Collaborate with suppliers to source lower-carbon alternatives.

• Use data-driven tools to track and reduce carbon outputs.

“We have the potential to create net-zero, even net-positive landscapes. Limitations should not stop us from integrating environmentally sound principles into our work.”— Landscape Institute