Two industry reports have been released today by the Environmental Horticulture Group (EHG) and Oxford Economics, highlighting the horticultural sector’s extensive environmental, economic, and social value.
The reports reveal that the environmental horticulture industry – given the sector receives adequate government support, has the potential to support GDP contributions worth £51.2 billion and create 763,000 jobs across the UK economy by 2030, representing a 45% growth opportunity. Oxford Economics’ research found that the sector, including UK gardens, landscaping, and arboriculture, contributed £38 billion to GDP and supported 722,000 jobs in the past year.
As a sector rooted in the supply of plants and trees, environmental horticulture is essential to nature-based climate solutions, with the UK’s gardens and green spaces mitigating climate impacts, easing extreme weather effects, and enhancing biodiversity. The cooling and pollution-reducing effects of urban green spaces were valued at £27.4 billion in 2021 alone, while urban vegetation helped the UK avoid £800.5 million in health-related costs. These contributions to biodiversity, air quality, and urban resilience underscore the sector’s role in advancing the UK’s net zero goals.
In addition, in 2023, public parks, gardens, and green spaces attracted £4.2 billion in tourism spending while also proving essential for public health; studies show that access to green spaces and gardening can alleviate symptoms of chronic conditions, improve mental and physical wellbeing, and strengthen communities by fostering social inclusion. This aligns with the Environmental Horticulture Group’s (EHG) vision for a “Neighbourhood Health Service,” integrating horticulture into healthcare strategies to promote holistic health benefits.
Alongside the economics report, the Environmental Horticulture Group (EHG) has published ‘Mission Green Growth’, a strategy that underscores the sector’s importance and calls for collaboration between government, industry, and communities to unlock its full potential. The strategy focuses on key goals such as upskilling the green workforce, securing seasonal worker programs, and fostering policies that drive competitiveness and innovation. Central to the EHG’s vision is sustainable urban planning that incorporates high-quality green spaces alongside campaigns on critical issues like cross-border trade, reliable seasonal worker schemes, and improved environmental sustainability.
The EHG works closely with the government to secure greater support for the sector, including garden centres and their supply chains, public and private gardens, commercial growers and nurseries, arboriculture, and domestic and commercial landscaping. Its core members include the Arboricultural Association (AA), the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI), the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
Boyd Douglas-Davies, Chair, Environmental Horticulture Group, said: “Caring for the environment – be that through private gardens, urban green spaces or public parks – goes to the heart of what the Environmental Horticulture Group stands for. As this new report shows, our sector is already a hugely positive economic and environmental contributor to the UK, but it could be worth so much more if we have greater government support. I look forward to working closely with government stakeholders to achieve our joint objectives in policy areas, including economic, environmental, science, research, net zero, business, health, planning, taxation, skills and education. The time is now if we are to make the most of the next decade of growth opportunities and work with government to create a greener, happier, more environmentally sustainable society and economy.”
The reports will be officially launched at a House of Commons event today. Sponsored by All-Party Parliamentary Gardening & Horticulture Group co-chair, Baroness Fookes and over 140 MPs, Peers, and industry figures, including actor and gardener Jim Carter and Alan Titchmarsh, are expected to attend the event.
Baroness Fookes, said: “I am delighted to see so many representatives of the very varied aspects of horticulture present at this Reception, together with an impressive contingent of MPs and peers. I hope the big parliamentary turnout is a sign that there is, at long last, recognition of the vital role environmental horticulture plays not only in the wellbeing of so many individuals but also in preserving our environment and mitigating the worst aspects of climate change. The Environmental Horticulture Group, whose latest Report we are publicising today, is a respected organisation, and I hope it will continue to liaise ever more closely with the relevant civil servants and ministers in promoting the interests of horticulture. I, for my part, will continue to bang the drum constantly and loudly in the ears of the present Government as they must not be allowed to forget its immense importance.”