The Office for National Statistics has published estimates of the value of English natural capital and its beneficial effects for the population.

Main points

• The total asset value of natural capital in England we can currently value was an estimated £1.4 trillion in 2020, 78% of the total UK asset value.
• The total annual value of ecosystem services we can value in England was estimated to be £35.7 billion in 2020, 70% of the total UK annual value.
• Over half (57%) of the annual value in England in 2020 was derived from cultural services, predominantly recreation and tourism (£12.4 billion) and health benefits (£5.5 billion) associated with this.
• The annual value of renewable energy from nature in England increased by 59% between 2019 and 2020.
• The extent of enclosed farmland in England decreased by 7% between 1990 and 2021.
• The extent of urban in England increased by 37% between 1990 and 2021.