Reduce carbon.

Boost biodiversity.

Enrich lives.

Protecting and restoring meadows and grasslands is essential to the fight against climate change. Grasslands sequester carbon, enhance biodiversity and contribute hugely to the beauty of our natural environment. Tell the UK government to make meadows a priority at the COP26 climate conference.

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Will you stand up for grasslands?

Dear MP,

I am writing to ask you to take action to ensure grasslands are protected and enhanced.

As my MP, I would like to know if you will join the call for international protections to mitigate the impact of climate change, increase biodiversity and ensure that these areas of natural beauty are preserved for future generations to enjoy.

In November of this year, world leaders will meet at COP26 in Glasgow to discuss the single most pressing issue facing the planet - climate change.

Species-rich grasslands offer ways of reducing the impact of greenhouse gases that cause climate change. Protecting and enhancing grasslands, savannahs, plains, heaths, steppes and meadows must be part of both the discussions and the outcomes of COP26.

Despite their crucial importance, in the last 100 years, the UK alone has lost 97% of its meadows and other species-rich grasslands. Grassland maintenance and restoration are critical to delivering the Government’s commitments to net zero emissions, nature’s recovery and sustainable food production. Farmers and other land managers are amongst the key stakeholders to unlocking this solution, to benefit all, but they need support to do so. There is a huge leadership opportunity here.

I am asking you to use your platform to seek international protections for grasslands.

There are many ways you can support this important initiative:

If you are able to, please sign EDM 335 to show your support for the growing Grasslands+ coalition’s call ahead of COP26.

As the conference rapidly approaches, please raise this issue with Ministers and through official channels to ensure the UK Government takes this leadership opportunity ahead of the Glasgow conference.

This is a crucial moment. By committing to restoring, enhancing and protecting these habitats, world leaders can make a vital intervention in the fight against climate change.

I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,

...

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The case for Grasslands

The global climate conference COP26 takes place in Glasgow in November. It’s the last chance for governments of the world to agree on a path that will turn back disastrous climate change, restore natural habitats and protect biodiversity.

Up to 30% of the earth’s carbon is stored in grassland carbon sinks - meaning grasslands are every bit as important as forests and other ecosystems in the fight against greenhouse gases.

But in the last 100 years, the UK alone has lost 97% of its meadows and other species-rich grasslands. We’ve seen a 60% decrease in biodiversity. A third of bumblebee species are under threat of extinction, and 70% of butterfly species have seen population decline since the 1970s.

Protecting and enhancing grasslands is crucial in the fight against climate change.

By committing to restoring, enhancing and protecting these habitats, world leaders can make a vital intervention in the fight against climate change.

About us

Grasslands+ is a coalition of three charities who have come together to protect and restore the planet’s grasslands, savannahs, plains, heaths, steppes and meadows.

The coalition is made up of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Butterfly Conservation and Plantlife.

Established in 2006, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust aims to enhance the understanding of bumblebee ecology and conservation and inspire people to take action for bumblebees.

Butterfly Conservation was founded in 1968 and is the UK charity dedicated to saving butterflies, moths and our environment. Their research provides advice on how to conserve and restore habitats and their projects protect more than 100 threatened species across the UK.

Founded in 1989, Plantlife works to save threatened wild flowers, plants and fungi, running conservation projects and managing nature reserves across the country.

Pollinators such as bumblebees and butterflies are essential to maintaining the complex biodiversity of grassland ecosystems. They aid the proliferation of wild flowers and plants which in turn attract other insects, birds and mammals to create a species-rich environment.

The Grasslands+ coalition wants to show the public and politicians alike that protecting grasslands on an international level is crucial in the fight against climate change.

In the run up to COP26, Grasslands+ is seeking international protections for grasslands to mitigate the effects of climate change, increase biodiversity and ensure that these areas of natural beauty are preserved for future generations to enjoy.