REDUCING LANDSCAPE CARBON

R S
Jun 27, 2025
1 min read

Updated: Mar 6

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

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.
Site Management
- Minimise soil disturbance – damaged or dried soils release significant carbon.
- Thoughtful site clearance and earthworks reduce emissions.
Planting
- Planting trees and vegetation supports carbon capture.
- Select native and drought-tolerant species for resilience and low maintenance.
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

Lack of knowledge or information
Cost and budget constraints
Client values and priorities
Limited availability of sustainable materials
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