UK Government launch Land Use Framework Consultation
Dr Christopher Lee attended the launch of the Land Use Framework consultation in January 2025.
Chris undertook a fellowship within Defra working with Environmental Land Management, Data Science and Modelling and Land Use teams to translate landscape decisions expertise into agri-environment policy design for England. The funded fellowship is part of the body of research we represent on this website – and his project was ‘The Circle Project’.
Chris gives his reflections on the launch of the consultation period on the land use framework below:
Reflections: Dr Christopher Lee
I was asked to participate in a media briefing panel on Thursday morning, alongside four other experts in different areas of land use policy. My remit was to cover the science behind the need for systematic land use change, including climate adaptation, mitigation, and tackling biodiversity loss; as well as the modelling and evidence that went into the land use framework. The briefing was attended by around 30 journalists from major print and broadcast organisations.
I also attended a briefing for the NFU, convened by Defra. My role was to provide expertise on the agricultural and farm business implications of material within the framework document. Finaly, I attended the launch of the land use framework consultation, to represent NZ+ and University of Exeter, which was held at Royal Geographical Society in London. It was clear from the Secretary of State’s comments that the work of NZ+ on agriculture business and food modelling will provide important evidence for the final version of the framework, which will be developed following the completion of the consultation; and which we will be involved with through the project’s policy evidence work with Defra.
