Protecting the environment

The Ramblers is committed to playing its part in protecting the natural environment from the effects of climate change

The Ramblers opens the way for everyone to enjoy the simple pleasures of walking.  Our love of walking stems from an appreciation for the outdoors. We want to see nature thrive, and we step up to protect the places we all love to wander, so that everyone can experience the health and wellbeing benefits of walking in nature. Studies have shown that when people spend time in nature, it leads to pro-environmental attitudes and behaviours. We aim to make sure everyone has the opportunity walk in nature and build that connection with their environment.

Taking action

Ramblers staff, members and volunteers across England, Scotland and Wales are taking positive actions to protect and enhance the local environment whilst helping others discover a love of walking.

Influencing government policy

Across England, Scotland and Wales the Ramblers work to influence government policy to ensure the environment is protected. A few examples are:

We have lobbied the UK government regarding the importance of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs having an adequate budget to meet legally binding nature and climate targets.

We worked with the Better Planning Coalition to influence the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, including a call for new developments to be linked to climate targets.

As part of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s consultation on the government's land use framework, we advocated for a strategic approach to urban green routes.

We took part in the Department for Transport’s consultation on its Integrated National Transport Strategy, highlighting the importance of the public rights of way network in reducing car use and promoting links with more sustainable transport hubs.

We supported calls for a Bus Bill for Wales to help promote the use of public transport.

We challenged the Natural Environment Bill (Part 2) giving ministers broad powers to dilute regulations on Environmental Impact Assessments and sites covered by the European Habitats Directive designations.

Operating sustainably

In 2020 the Ramblers carried out a climate impact review and subsequently, we made a series of commitments to improve our sustainability and to protect the natural environment:

To measure, monitor and manage our carbon footprint through carbon assessments with decarbonisation targets.

To reduce our travel-related environmental impact by implementing a sustainable travel policy among staff and volunteers.  To also continue to raise awareness of more accessible, less environmentally impactful walks.

To minimise waste, reduce our use of non-renewable resources and increase the use of recycled, renewable and environmentally responsible solutions.

To implement a framework for sustainable procurement and review the environmental impact of our banking and fundraising sources.

To collaborate with organisations working towards protecting and enhancing rural and urban environments, therefore ensuring health and wellbeing benefits for walkers.

To partner with expert organisations to understand, mitigate and improve on biodiversity and environmental impacts of our key activities.

Progress to date

Steps we have taken to date include switching to sustainable paper and removing plastic from Ramblers membership cards and promotional materials and moving to more sustainable office premises.

The biggest driver of our carbon footprint is the printing and distribution of Walk magazine. From 2026, Ramblers members will receive Walk magazine every four months, rather than every three months, which will have a positive impact on our carbon footprint.

Ramblers groups in London and Greater Manchester have successfully campaigned for and opened green walking routes that encourage more people to get out walking by greening the streets and by improving walking routes to and between the cities’ green spaces.

On the Ramblers website and in Walk magazine, we promote car-free walks such as 10 top walks from train stations and 10 wonderful walks via scenic bus journeys and Ramblers groups make considerable effort to include car-free walks in their walk programmes, to promote car-sharing and to organise coach travel to walks further afield. 

Through our Paths to Wellbeing project in Wales we worked alongside 22 local authorities, Wildlife Trust Wales, and Coed Cadw (the Woodland Trust in Wales), to help nature thrive via activities such as tree planting, wildflower sowing, and wildlife activity days. Inspired by this project, we are now building pro-environmental actions like these into our community walking projects whenever the opportunity arises.  

Please get involved

From lobbying local and national governments on environmental issues to promoting car-free walking routes and group walks, by building pro-environmental thinking into our activities, we can play an even greater part in protecting against and mitigating climate change.

We'd love to hear examples of pro-environmental actions you and your Ramblers group are taking. Fill in our simple form and let us know what you are doing so we can share examples to inspire others.

If you’d like to get involved with more pro-environmental initiatives, these organisations would value your support for their citizen science initiatives, which aim to tackle the complex issues of climate change, pollution, and habitat destruction: