DEFRA list of public goods

We know that the aim of ELM is to pay land managers for delivering public goods - set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan. You can read an overview of them here.

ELM will contribute to outcomes across the six public goods

Clean air

  • Reduced concentrations of ammonia in the atmosphere

  • Reduced concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) in the atmosphere

Clean and plentiful water

  • Increased ground and surface water resources

  • Maintained and enhanced condition and quality of natural, semi-natural or other priority habitats, so they are able to support their characteristic species and species functions

  • Reduced concentrations of faecal bacteria in surface water bodies, groundwaters, wetlands and coastal systems

  • Reduced concentrations of N + P from harmful levels in wetlands, surface water bodies and groundwaters

  • Reduced flow of plastics into freshwater and the marine environment from land

  • Reduced load of sediment in sensitive water bodies, wetlands and coastal systems

  • Reduced risk/impact of agrochemicals on wetlands, waterbodies and groundwaters

Thriving plants and wildlife

  • Concentrations of elements in terrestrial habitats at levels that maintain or enhance biodiversity and sensitive habitats

  • Improved status of declining terrestrial and aquatic or water dependent species that are either mobile across multiple habitats or require targeted interventions

  • Increased area and improved connectivity of priority and other semi-natural habitats

  • Reduced impact of agrochemicals on natural, semi-natural and other priority terrestrial and aquatic habitats and on declining species

  • Reduced pressure from invasive non-native species

Protection from and mitigation of hazards

  • Reduced impact of and enhanced resilience to coastal change

  • Reduced impact of and enhanced resilience to flooding

  • Reduced impact of and enhanced resilience to wildfires

  • Reduced impacts of and enhanced resilience to drought

  • Mitigation of and adaptation to climate change

Mitigation of and adaptation to climate change

  • Enhanced resilience of the environment to climate change

  • Maintained and enhanced storage of carbon

  • Reduced agricultural GHG emissions

Beauty, heritage and engagement with the environment

  • Conserved and enhanced landscape character

  • Conserved, enhanced and safely enjoyed geodiversity features or assets

  • Enhanced access to the countryside, farmland or woodland

  • Enhanced engagement with the natural environment

  • Preserved cultural heritage assets (designated and non-designated)

Public GoodsKaty CarlisleWhat Are Public Goods