Communities across England are set to receive £79 million in new government funding to support local plans for nature restoration and adaptation to climate change, the Environment Secretary announced today, 30 September 2026.
Of the total, £53 million is allocated for urban and rural tree planting. This investment, spanning from April 2027 to March 2030, aims to plant up to 500,000 new trees outside woodlands, including in streets and parks.
An additional £26 million will be provided to Mayors and local authorities to facilitate nature recovery in their areas and help them adapt to the changing climate. This funding is intended to reduce carbon emissions, support nature recovery, and protect communities from extreme weather events such as flooding and heatwaves.
Trees are cited as a means of protection against extreme weather, with street trees potentially reducing air temperatures in cities by up to 4°C during heatwaves. A mature tree can also intercept over 15,000 litres of rainwater annually, which may reduce flood and water run-off risks.
The funding will enable local authorities, mayors, community groups, and environmental organisations to bring nature closer to where people live and create more resilient neighbourhoods.