York and North Yorkshire is home to some of England’s most valuable natural assets, including national parks, farmland, rivers, coastline and urban green spaces. These landscapes support our communities, local businesses and rural economy, but they are under increasing pressure from climate change, biodiversity loss and flooding.

We aim to tackle these challenges through our Local Investment in Natural Capital (LINC). The programme will explore how to attract private investment into the region to support nature recovery, climate resilience and long-term economic value, alongside public funding.

LINC is a pilot programme funded entirely by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), which selected our region as one of a small number, nationally, to test new approaches to investing in natural capital.

LINC is focused on building evidence, understanding what works, and identifying what would be needed to support responsible investment into nature throughout the whole region.

What does LINC mean for people living and working here?

LINC is not just about finance, it’s about supporting a healthier environment and a stronger regional economy, with benefits that residents can see and experience.

Evidence from our initial research shows that:

• Natural capital currently supports around 11 percent of the region’s Gross Value Added (GVA is a key measure of a region’s productivity and performance). We want to increase our GVA by 31 percent by 2050
  • Vegetation and soils across York and North Yorkshire currently store an estimated 161 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, valued at around £37 billion
  • The region removes and stores nearly 700,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent each year, with an estimated annual value of £197 million
  • Benefits linked to water quality regulation are valued at approximately £654 million per year

By helping to unlock responsible private investment into nature, LINC aims to support:

• Healthier landscapes and large-scale nature recovery
  • Reduced flood risk and improved water quality
  • New income opportunities for farmers and land managers
  • Long term economic value linked to land management and nature
  • Improved access to green spaces, wellbeing and quality of life for our communities

 Get involved

Because of the huge potential of our region’s natural capital, we’re looking to start conversations now with major organisations serious about investing in carbon credits, natural flood management, and biodiversity net gain opportunities.

We are particularly keen to hear from:

• Businesses or investors looking for major responsible investment opportunities
• Land managers or farmers interested in new income opportunities linked to nature recovery
•  A local authority, community organisation or environmental group working on nature-based projects

Start the conversation and get investment ready for 2027 by talking to our Low Carbon & Environment team at energy@yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk

 LINC programme next steps

Throughout 2026 we’re working to establish our LINC programme through extensive research and engagement across York and North Yorkshire.
From this work we’ll establish our Natural Capital Investment Plan and establish a pipeline of investment projects for 2027.