Using open spaces to remove carbon

Our open spaces are known as carbon sinks, which are areas that store carbon dioxide (CO₂) through carbon sequestration.

Carbon sequestration is a natural process that occurs when plants harness energy from sunlight, through photosynthesis, and use it to convert CO₂ into valuable energy-rich plant matter while releasing oxygen into the air. This locks CO₂ into plant material and soil, therefore removing it from the atmosphere.

Land management practices impact carbon sinks. Poor land management practice can result in releasing CO₂ into the atmosphere, whereas good land management practice not only protects current carbon sequestration rates but can also increase it.

The way we manage our open spaces can impact how much CO₂ is removed from the atmosphere and locked into plant materials and soil. Our aim is to protect current carbon sequestration rates and also increase them.

Epping Forest is an example of one of our carbon sinks. The woodland has over one million trees alone, including 50,000 ancient pollards of Beech, Hornbeam and Oak, all contributing to carbon storage. There are also around 500 rare and endangered insect species, making it a valuable home for biodiversity too.

Using our open spaces to naturally remove carbon from the atmosphere offers a number of benefits to local people and communities:

• Air Quality: habitats improve air quality by absorbing greenhouse gases such as nitrogen dioxide and particulates from the atmosphere, resulting in cleaner, fresher air to breathe and improves overall health.
• Biodiversity: habitats that remove carbon support diverse ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, and grasslands. These environments are home to a wide range of plant and animal species, enhancing biodiversity and ecological resilience.
• Wellbeing: access to expertly managed green spaces can improve mental health and wellbeing. Green spaces provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, exercise, relaxation, and volunteering, helping people to reconnect with nature and join part of a growing community.

We will be looking at what we can do to improve our land management practices in the following areas:

• Natural flood management: holding water on our sites for longer helps ease water stresses at times of drought for trees and plants.
• Fire protection measures: by changing the way we manage fires; we are trying to minimise the risk of large habitat fires and the destruction they cause.
• Planting and protection: we will look for opportunities to plant trees, scrub and new hedgerows where they are needed, while monitoring factors that pose large-scale threats to our trees.

These measures will help to prevent environmental risks from destroying habitats that are vital to sequestering carbon.

New habitat creation in Patmore's Field

In 2021, a 42-acre wildflower meadow was sown at Patmore’s Field in High Beach, which makes up part of the ‘buffer lands’ adjacent to Epping Forest. To plant the new meadow, a mixture of 26 native UK-grown wildflower and grass seeds were sown, including carrot, cowslip and ragged robin. They were planted on a previously cultivated but low-quality arable field, transforming it into a permanent grassland with improved water storage and soil health.

In 2022, two ponds were dug to provide complementary habitat to support greater wildlife when filled with water.

The creation of the new meadow has increased Patmore’s field capacity to capture atmospheric carbon in its soil. It has boosted biodiversity habitats for a range of species and provided greater connectivity for pollinating insects.

Over the next 3 years additional habitats will be created across our open spaces such as meadows, wood pasture, small woodlands, reedbeds and hedgerows.