Every year, our planet loses an area estimated area of forest the size of 10 football fields.
In just the last 50 years, wildlife populations have also plummeted by an astonishing 73%. Deforestation is particularly concerning given trees’ vital role in atmospheric carbon dioxide sequestration and, therefore, climate change mitigation.
At the heart of this crisis is the way we use land. And that’s shaped by our choices and our politics.
The PLUS Change project is tackling this challenge head-on, exploring how smarter land use can help Europe halt or reverse biodiversity loss and limit rising temperatures.
Funded by Horizon Europe, they're working with 12 practice cases across Europe–from bustling cities like Amsterdam to rural landscapes like South Moravia. The aim is to explore solutions that work for people, nature and the climate by understanding the social and political histories that shape land use and the needs of local people.
In another exclusive Alter interview, we caught up with Julia Leventon, PLUS Change Project Lead, to find out more.
Among other things, she shared:
- Why the differences between old and new EU member states matter for land use and climate adaptation.
- Inspiring stories from places where creative solutions blend tradition, innovation and resilience.
- The real-world challenges of changing citizen behaviour, transforming planning systems, and rethinking economic incentives that still favour intensive production over sustainability.
- How to empower underrepresented voices and develop toolkits to shape the future of European land planning.
Discover how PLUS Change is laying the groundwork for a more sustainable relationship with our land.
Watch the interview
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