Why was the Skills Gap Analysis conducted?

The Norfolk Environmental Skills Gap Analysis (NESGA) was commissioned to identify and address skills shortages in Norfolk’s rural and coastal sectors, ensuring that land and marine managers are equipped to meet the environmental challenges of the future. The study was undertaken as part of the Norfolk Wholescape programme, supported by WWF-UK and the John Lewis Partnership.

With Norfolk’s rich natural heritage and its economic dependence on agriculture, tourism, and conservation, ensuring a skilled workforce is essential. NESGA focuses on bridging the skills gaps to align Norfolk’s rural industries with national climate goals, biodiversity targets, and the UK Government’s 25-Year Environment Plan. The NESGA report was overseen by Norfolk FWAG, with primary research conducted by Anglian Rural Consultants’ Emma Powlett, Michael Mack, and Richard Rampton.

Key Findings

The NESGA report identifies several critical skills gaps across different environmental themes:

Air Quality Management – Limited understanding among land managers about their role in air pollution control, with low prioritisation of this issue.

Water Management – While better understood, there are gaps in integrating flood prevention, pollution control, and sustainable water use.

Soil Health and Regenerative Agriculture – A lack of training in soil conservation, nutrient management, and regenerative farming techniques.

Climate Change Adaptation – Stakeholders are aware of the risks but lack clear guidance on practical mitigation measures.

Biodiversity Conservation – Many conservation initiatives exist, but they require better coordination and financial incentives to encourage land managers to adopt biodiversity-enhancing practices.

Waste Management – The biggest concerns are fly-tipping, plastic pollution, and a lack of understanding of waste management regulations.

Green Finance – Limited awareness and accessibility of carbon credits, biodiversity net gain schemes, and sustainable finance options make it difficult for landowners to invest in nature-based solutions.

A key challenge highlighted in the report is the disconnect between environmental policies and practical implementation. While many land and marine managers understand climate and biodiversity policies, translating them into action is hindered by bureaucratic complexities, lack of funding, and insufficient advisory support.

Recommendations

Recognising these skills gaps, NESGA outlines several key recommendations:

Enhanced Training Programmes – Develop standardised, practical training in soil health, green finance, biodiversity management, and air quality.

Stronger Collaboration – Foster partnerships between farmers, policymakers, conservation groups, educational institutions, and financial bodies.

Simplification of Green Finance – Improve access to carbon trading, biodiversity net gain markets, and environmental funding through independent and impartial advisory services.

Policy and Infrastructure Support – Advocate for stable policies, streamlined regulations, and improved environmental infrastructure, particularly for waste and water management.

Practical Knowledge Sharing – Establish a network of on-farm demonstration sites, independent advisory groups, and cross-sector knowledge exchange programmes.

Conclusion

The Norfolk Environmental Skills Gap Analysis highlights the urgent need for investment in training, advisory support, and policy coordination to ensure that Norfolk’s land and marine sectors can meet future environmental and economic challenges. By improving access to training, fostering collaboration, and simplifying financial mechanisms, Norfolk can become a national leader in sustainable land and marine management.

With the right interventions, farmers, landowners, and environmental professionals can build a thriving, resilient rural economy that supports biodiversity, climate action, and long-term sustainability. The time to act is now, ensuring that Norfolk remains at the forefront of nature-friendly farming and environmental stewardship.

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Norfolk Environmental Skills Gap Analysis (NESGA)