Private Land in LAND4CLIMATE.

When we say “private” land in LAND4CLIMATE, we mean more than just land owned by individuals. It also includes land owned by public authorities, like municipalities, if it is managed as private property, meaning it is not set aside for public use.

Across the planet’s 149 million km² of land, how we use it shapes our future. Intensive land use makes us more vulnerable to climate risks such as heatwaves, droughts, and floods. Much of the land that could play a vital role in reducing these risks is in private hands, which means that building climate resilience requires working closely with landowners.

LAND4CLIMATE works on implementing nature-based solutions on privately owned land to protect communities while supporting biodiversity and healthy ecosystems. This includes restoring wetlands, rewilding rivers, creating green spaces, and improving land management practices.

The impact of these solutions depends heavily on where they are implemented. Many of the most critical locations for slowing floods, cooling urban areas, or improving soil and water health are under private management. 

Pioneering Project.

LAND4CLIMATE is the first EU-funded project to focus specifically on how nature-based solutions can succeed on private land.

We work directly with landowners in six frontrunner regions across Europe. Every solution is developed locally through co-design workshops, one-on-one discussions, and close cooperation. Our aim is to understand what it takes for these solutions to work in the long term for the people who own the land, while delivering lasting benefits for the wider public.

By combining science, practical experience, and local knowledge, LAND4CLIMATE is building models and policy recommendations that can be applied far beyond the project’s lifetime, making sustainable land use the norm across Europe.