30 June 2021
In response to the Environmental Audit Committee’s Biodiversity and Ecosystems Report, Dr Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said:
“Our Government has ambitions to be top of the pack in delivering for nature, but we’re starting from the bottom of the G7 league table. There’s a long ladder to climb from being one of the most nature-depleted countries to being a wildlife world leader.
“Today’s report is right to represent this year as a critical turning point. Decisions in the Environment Bill and the Spending Review will determine whether nature continues to decline, or whether the UK can lead the world along a new path toward environment recovery. The Environment Bill must set an unambiguous target to halt nature’s decline by 2030 – a genuine “net zero for nature” – backed by serious and sustained investment in delivery in the Spending Review.”
“The Committee is also right to focus on habitats. The Government’s commitment to protect 30% of the land and sea will only be effective when designated areas have meaningful management, and the promising biodiversity net gain policy must protect new habitat for the long-term, not just for 30 years”
ENDS
Nature coalition welcomes major milestone toward wildlife recovery
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