MPs will have to debate returning vast swathes of land to wildernesses after a petition calling for mass rewilding gained more than 100,000 signatures.

It calls for the government to “make a bold financial and political commitment to nature’s recovery” to help slow climate breakdown.

Expanding habitats for native plants, trees and animals such as beavers and allowing wildlife to return will help remove from the atmosphere the carbon dioxide that is largely driving up global temperatures, organisers Rewilding Britain, said.

“Rewilding and other natural climate solutions can draw millions of tons of CO2 out of the air through restoring and protecting our living systems,” the petition says.

The group plans to establish at least three pilot projects over the next 10 years, with the aim of returning at least a million hectares to their natural state – twice as much land as the government has already pledged to restore.

Endangered and threatened species of Britain Show all 10 1 /10 Endangered and threatened species of Britain Endangered and threatened species of Britain Hedgehog In 1950 there were an estimated 36 million hedgehogs in the UK, there are now only one million Getty/iStock Endangered and threatened species of Britain Hazel dormouse The population of the hazel dormouse is thought to have declined by over one third since 2000. It is threatened by loss of habitat Getty Endangered and threatened species of Britain Red squirrel Famously ravaged by the North American grey squirrel, the red squirrel is nowadays very rare with a population of around 140,000 Getty Endangered and threatened species of Britain Mountain hare The population in Scotland stands at 1% of its 1950 level and only one colony remains in England in the Peak District Getty Endangered and threatened species of Britain Natterjack toad Threatened by the disappearance of their coastal habitats, the natterjack toad is now only found at a handful of site across the UK Getty Endangered and threatened species of Britain Water vole Once found across Britain, the water vole is no longer anywhere to be seen in 90% of waterways Getty Endangered and threatened species of Britain Turtle dove On the Red List of conservation concern, the turtle dove population has declined by 97% since 1970 Getty Endangered and threatened species of Britain Small tortoiseshell butterfly Amid a general decline in butterfly population since records began in the 1970s, the small tortoiseshell saw a 38% drop in population in 2018 Getty Endangered and threatened species of Britain Noble chafer beetle Classed as vulnerable, the noble chafer beetle became increasingly rare throughout the 20th century due to habitat loss. Members of the public are encouraged to report any sightings to the People's Trust for Endangered Species gbhone Endangered and threatened species of Britain Stag beetle Their population is not known but due to habitat loss and other threats they are a protected species. Members of the public are encouraged to report any sightings to the People's Trust for Endangered Species Getty

MPs are obliged to debate any petition on parliament’s website that attracts at least 100,000 names.

In October, scientists from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warned the world needs to cut carbon pollution as much as possible, as fast as possible.

Reinstating ecosystems such as peatlands, heathland, native woodlands, salt marshes, wetlands and coastal waters can all make a significant contribution to carbon sequestration (the capture and storage of carbon dioxide), according to a recent report by Rewilding Britain.

A key aim is to reintroduce beavers, lynx, osprey and pine martens, which would help absorb carbon by shaping habitats, creating wetlands and increasing species diversity.

The report proposes a new system of subsidies for farmers and other landowners who increase carbon absorption methods on their land and restore degraded ecosystems.

The schemes would provide “opportunities for communities to flourish”, it says.

Meeting the UK’s climate emissions goals can be achieved “without the loss of high-quality productive farmland or a net reduction in agricultural output”, the authors argue.

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Last month the government’s own advisers on climate strongly advised ministers to set a new target to bring down Britain’s carbon emissions to zero by 2050.

In a response to the petition before it hit its 100,000 goal, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the government’s 25-year environment plan, launched in January last year, committed the government to improving the condition of the protected sites network and to creating or restoring 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat in England.