Crucial need to improve our access to nature

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, September 26, 2026

The Wildlife Trusts report reveals that nearly half of UK parliamentary constituencies lack adequate nearby access to natural spaces, which is critical for public health and climate resilience amid increasing extreme heat events. The organisation urges government action to make nature accessible through policy changes, including compulsory land acquisition and integrating green infrastructure into urban development, to prevent worsening health disparities and environmental risks.

Access to natural green and blue spaces remains uneven across Britain, posing challenges for public health and climate resilience, according to a report released by the Wildlife Trusts. The organisation highlights that nearly half of parliamentary constituencies lack sufficient nearby access to nature, a disparity increasingly concerning amid recent climate extremes.

The report, titled *Unlocking Nature For All: How To Increase Access To Nature For A Fairer, Healthier Britain*, outlines the urgent need to improve access to natural environments, especially following the summer’s heat emergency when urban temperatures soared above 38 degrees Celsius. It argues that proximity to parks, gardens, rivers, or other natural spaces within a 15-minute walk is essential to mitigate heat impacts and support physical and mental health.

Despite promises of a government-led green paper on the issue, due since autumn 2025, the Wildlife Trusts have put forward their own policy proposals. These include expanding the use of compulsory purchase powers to establish accessible greenspaces, facilitating land acquisition by community groups, and designating nature as essential infrastructure to ensure sustainable funding for maintenance. The report also advocates for mandatory development requirements to integrate nature and climate-friendly features into housing projects.

A specific recommendation calls for establishing statutory public rights of access to major urban rivers, such as the River Trent, to connect communities with natural waterways. The Trusts warn that failure to improve access risks repeating historical public health crises like those of Victorian Britain, when poor living conditions spurred large-scale public park creation to improve urban environments.

Locally, initiatives such as Nottingham’s "Green Heart" within the Broad Marsh regeneration project serve as positive examples. This urban natural greenspace has been credited with attracting investment and providing residents and visitors with relief from urban heat and pollution. Nottingham City Council recently committed an additional £1.5 million towards expanding urban greenspaces in the city centre, reflecting growing local momentum.

The Wildlife Trusts stress that equitable access to nature should be recognised as a fundamental right for all citizens, given its documented benefits for reducing heat, improving air quality, and enhancing wellbeing, particularly among young children. They urge the government to embed nature at the core of community resilience and regeneration efforts to meet future climate and health challenges effectively.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.