Restoring rivers and wetlands in Nottinghamshire and beyond could deliver major benefits for wildlife, communities and the local economy, as new analysis reveals that every £1 invested in river restoration at scale could generate more than £7 in benefits.
Every £1 invested in restoring rivers could generate over £7 in benefits for nature, communities and the economy, first-of-its-kind analysis finds
Groundbreaking new river vision and economic analysis provides a blueprint for reimagining England’s rivers at scale
A groundbreaking new vision for rivers in England, released today by The Wildlife Trusts, Trent Rivers Trust and Intact Insurance, uses the River Trent as a blueprint for reimagining England’s rivers at scale. The Rivers 2040 Vision maps and assesses how restoring the entirety of the River Trent - England’s longest river flowing from source to sea through Nottinghamshire and six other counties – could unlock significant economic, environmental and societal benefits.
Across England, rivers are in dire health, with just 14% of rivers currently meeting ecological health standards. By reimagining how communities, businesses and land use can work together to bring the Trent back to health, the Vision demonstrates how whole river systems could be restored across the country. For example, in Nottinghamshire, priority habitats such as reed bed could be restored at scale, helping to lock away carbon to mitigate climate impacts, provide flood storage to protect local communities and support threatened species such as bittern.
Speaking about what the Vision means for Nottinghamshire, Erin McDaid, Communications, Campaigns & Advocacy Lead for Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, says:
“For far too long, our towns and cities have turned their back on rivers which have been as problems rather that assets. We want to see The River Trent become a living demonstration that recovery is possible - providing a blueprint for rivers across the UK and beyond.
A river Trent that is once again connected to its floodplains to help protect communities from flood risk and drought, supporting nature recovery and sustaining people's connection with nature is not a fantasy. This vision is possible if we are bold enough to let nature help, and when we build the systems to make that help possible”
We want to see The River Trent become a living demonstration that
recovery is possible - providing a blueprint for rivers across the UK and beyond.Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
Ahead of expected Government reforms to the water system in England, and as drought, flooding, pollution and unequal access to nature intensify, the Vision includes first-of-its-kind economic analysis. The findings reveal a substantial potential return from restoring the Trent; an estimated investment of £43 million a year over the next 30 years could generate approximately £10 billion in economic benefits, with every £1 invested in nature-led river restoration potentially delivering more than £7 in benefits.
Yet, while the economic benefits of nature-led river restoration are staggering, current efforts remain fragmented and underfunded. Instead, three key areas of change are needed to restore and recover the health of England’s rivers:
- Deploying nature-based solutions at scale;
- Growing local control of water;
- And a long-term water strategy that recognises nature as critical infrastructure.
Rugeley Riverside Park © Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
Restored river channel - Victoria Ground © Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
Dr Rob Stoneman, director of landscape recovery at The Wildlife Trusts, says:
“From scandalous pollution to increasing flood risk, we know that people right across the country care deeply about the health of our waterways and want to see an end to the cocktail of threats facing them. The scale of the challenge is huge, but our new vision for rivers is a call to arms; there is an enormous prize to be won if we get this right.
“As our mapping of the River Trent proves, we must work together across whole catchments – and the communities, businesses and local authorities within them – to embed nature-based solutions into the heart of river restoration efforts. Only then, with national and regional policy recognising that nature is necessary to the health of our waterways, can investment in river recovery truly deliver greater climate resilience, local prosperity and bring wildlife back to our waterways.”
The vision shows how, across Nottinghamshire and the Trent’s 350km of catchments, floodplains and riverbanks, the benefits of nature-led restoration are real; from carbon sequestration and natural flood management to cleaner water, green job creation, and improved recreation and health outcomes.
Chris Reid, deputy senior vice president at Intact Insurance, says:
“As extreme weather becomes more frequent, we need to think differently about how we protect our communities. Restoring rivers, floodplains and wetlands can help manage water, reduce flood risk and make the places where people live and do business more resilient.”
“The Rivers 2040 Vision shows what is possible when we restore and protect nature at scale. By working with The Wildlife Trusts, we are helping to create healthier rivers that are better able to adapt to a changing climate and build more resilient communities.”
The Rivers 2040 Vision is released alongside A River Speaks, a new film voiced by Line of Duty actor Vicky McClure, which follows the River Trent from source to sea. Premiering at the Blue Earth Summit on Wednesday 14th October, the film showcases the conservationists, farmers, schoolchildren and communities working to restore and reconnect people to the Trent.
Watch A River Speaks: Premiere 14th October 7.30pm
Editor's notes
- Read The Rivers 2040 Vision here
- Read the full economic analysis
- Find out more about the premiere of A River Speaks at the Blue Earth Summit here.
- Just 14% of rivers currently meet ecological health standards, and many have not improved since their condition was last reported on in 2019: New data to drive action to improve England's rivers and lakes - GOV.UK
- The Government is also likely to miss legal targets to restore almost 80% of England’s waters by 2027, as warned by the Office of Environmental Protection: OEP finds ‘deeply concerning’ issues with how the laws in place to protect England’s rivers, lakes and coastal waters are being put into practice | Office for Environmental Protection
- 1 in 4 properties are predicted to be at risk of flooding by 2050 without action: National assessment of flood and coastal erosion risk in England 2024 - GOV.UK
- Length of the River Trent: the Trent is 185 miles from the source at Biddulph Moor to Trent Falls, which is still 38.5 miles to the North Sea. From the source to the sea the Trent is 223.5 miles, making it the longest river in the country. It's the only river whose estuary is named differently to the river.