United Utilities’ partnership wins climate action prize

United Utilities, through its Wild Haweswater partnership with the RSPB, has won the annual Ashden Award for Natural Climate Solutions.

More than 500 organisations applied for the 2024 Ashden Awards. Wild Haweswater was one of two finalists in the nature-based solutions category, supported by the Lund Trust. 

The award recognised landscape restoration work at Wild Haweswater, near Bampton in the Lake District, including restoring natural bends in Swindale Beck, establishing Mardale Mountain Meadow, re-wetting peat bogs, establishing nature-friendly farming, planting tens of thousands of trees and creating the largest native tree and plant nursery in the Lake District. 

United Utilities said: “By protecting ancient Atlantic oakwood, restoring upland plants and returning natural processes, Haweswater is a place where wildlife can thrive; from Red Squirrels to Salmon, to Pied Flycatchers, rare Lichens, and the recently recolonised Marsh Fritillary Butterfly, this mountainous landscape holds a richness of life.”  

RSPB senior site manager at Wild Haweswater, Glen Swainson, said: “Partnership working with other organisations and local communities is key to ensuring that nature-based solutions within a farmed landscape can be beneficial to the climate, the economy and the ecology of this rugged part of the Lake District.”