Defra commissioned LUC to inform development of the new Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme, a cornerstone of their agricultural policy.

LUC focused on developing monitoring indicators for Beauty, Heritage and Engagement (BHE) within the natural environment, one of ELM's six objectives.

LUC's work provides the foundations for a robust monitoring program for Defra to track ELM's impact on BHE.

LUC, in partnership with experts, created a comprehensive approach to measuring BHE.

This included field testing indicators and utilising Earth Observation techniques to ensure the monitoring program is practical and effective.

LUC worked with the economist Matt Rayment to develop methods to assign monetary values to the BHE benefits delivered by ELM.

This allows policymakers to better understand the return on investment for environmental improvements alongside agricultural production.