The latest LENs (Landscape Enterprise Networks) 2025 Impact Report has revealed some interesting statistics on the building of landscape-scale resilience.
Covering the East of England, Yorkshire, West Wales, Leven (Scotland) and parts of Italy, Hungary and Poland it claims regenerative practices contributed to 96,000 tonnes CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) in emissions reductions, an average increase of 1.4 tonnes of organic carbon per hectare with an additional water-holding capacity of +1.24m3/ha and farms achieved an average reduction of 6% of synthetic nitrogen application in one year.
LENs brings organisations together to co-fund regenerative agriculture and nature-based solutions to drive landscape resilience. The programme unites farmers, food and beverage companies, utility providers and local governments into a single collaborative network designed to protect entire catchments and sourcing regions.
The organisation says the 2025 data is based on measured impact rather than projections and confirms that building resilience goes hand-in-hand with commercial stability. Participating farmers were able to reduce their use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides to the tune of £140/hectare while crop yields remained comfortably above regional averages.
Donald Lunan, LENs CEO, says: “Economic resilience and environmental sustainability must be treated as a single, shared goal. By joining forces and co-funding nature-based solutions across entire landscapes, we can actively protect our supply chains, catchments, and farming communities from escalating climate volatility. This latest LENs Impact Report proves that by pooling resources, systemic agricultural resilience is achievable.”
The LENs network now encompasses 320 active farms across more than 229,000 hectares in the UK, Italy, Poland, and Hungary, with further expansions actively being established in Ireland and Australia.
Nestlé Purina Petcare Europe has partnered with LENs across four countries since 2021. Regenerative agriculture lead Cécile Doinel adds. “We’ve been helping farmers transition to more regenerative practices, aiming at improving soil health and fertility, water and biodiversity, but also capturing carbon. Ultimately, it is enhancing more resilient farming systems which are critical to help secure the ingredients we’ll need in the future.”
Richard Maddever has been participating in the East of England LENs since 2023. He says he is now working with the river rather than fighting it. “I have a 10-year scheme for willow planting; so far we’ve planted 100 trees along the river.
“It stabilised the riverbank and provided shading. We have large grass buffers along the bank and apply no products anywhere near the river to avoid pollution going into the water. Without some support, I just wouldn’t have done it.”
By pooling funds from 16 major commercial and public investors, LENs says the programme significantly de-risks the regenerative transition.
