The environment secretary has announced £79 million for local communities to restore nature and adapt to climate change.

£53 million will be invested in a Community Trees Fund between April 2027 and March 2030 to plant up to 500,000 new trees outside woodlands, including on streets, in parks and across rural landscapes.

These can be used to protect against extreme weather. In cities, trees on streets can reduce air temperatures by as much as 4°C and a mature tree can also intercept over 15,000 litres of rainwater a year - reducing flood and water run-off risks during storms.

Trees can also support biodiversity in urban areas by providing habitats for birds and other species and reduce noise pollution and improve residents’ mental and physical wellbeing.

A further £26 million will be used by Mayors and local authorities to deliver nature recovery in their area and adapt to a changing climate. Local Nature Recovery Strategies are community-owned plans which identify local priorities for environmental improvement. This means local authorities will be able to better target and accelerate action to adapt to the specific climate risks they face. This could include reducing flood risk for homes and businesses, tree planting to cool city streets during heatwaves and increasing vegetation along rivers to improve water quality in local rivers.

These strategies now cover almost all of England.