Having enjoyed a huge surge in member numbers over the past five years, the UK’s biggest landowner is to use its collective clout to tackle environmental issues head on.

Under the banner ‘Our future – join in’, the Trust this week revealed is strategy to 2010 and beyond.

As part of the plan the Trust will explore ways to reduce its own carbon footprint, in addition to promoting holidaying at home and helping supporters with greener living initiatives.

However, the historically benign registered charity will also be looking to position itself as a green pressure group.

“In the past we have been cautious about expressing our voice loudly,” said Peter Nixon, the Trust’s Director of Conservation. “Now we recognise that we have to engage in public debate on a very wide scale.”

Having already experienced first-hand the effects of climate change across its 990 square-miles of land and 710 miles of coastline, the Trust is more than familiar with the need for action.

“The biggest challenge of our time is climate change,” said Fiona Reynolds, the Trust’s Director General. “We are like a miner’s canary anticipating the effects that others will feel.”

“Our practical experience ranges from coastal erosion and 18th century drainpipes being overwhelmed by heavier rainfall, through to book collections damaged by pests now surviving warmer winters,” added Ms Reynolds.

The National Trust estate includes 28 castles, 66 nature reserves, 4,000 ancient monuments, 37,000 buildings and 57 villages.

The Trust currently has more members than the armed services, the teaching profession, the prison population, environmental groups and all political parties combined.

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