Yesterday, 16 March 2022, the Nature recovery green paper was published, which sets out initial thoughts on driving nature recovery in England through protected sites and species protection. The targets are to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030, and to put an end to species decline by the same year. (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/delivering-on-the-environment-act-new-targets-announced-and-ambitious-plans-for-nature-recovery)
In a blog post from Natural England's Chair, Tony Juniper (https://naturalengland.blog.gov.uk/2022/03/16/green-paper-can-herald-nature-recovery/), we find an ambitious but optimistic vision; acknowledging some of the challenges and work that has to be done, but with a generally sunny outlook for the future of English nature.
However, other campaigners and organisations have responded with disappointment.
Responding to the Government's publications on nature protections and environmental targets yesterday, The Wildlife Trusts showed hints of optimism, but not without doubts and concerns. And the response from Greenpeace held even more concern over the vagueness of the publications. Indeed, it would seem spokespeople from many of our conservation organisations and charities, including those mentioned and RSPB chief executive, Rebecca Speight, are underwhelmed by the government's Nature recovery green paper and environmental targets.
Of most concern is an apparent lack of focus on protecting some of our most important land, including Sites of Special Scientific Interest. From Joan Edwards, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, The Wildlife Trusts: "It's absolutely vital that it [the Government] resists calls to lift the rules that protect our most important wild places. Currently, nationally important protected sites for nature such as Swanscombe Peninsula are still threatened with inappropriate developments which increase flood risk, put wildlife at risk and set us back in the fight against climate change. The Nature Green Paper must ensure that these special places have stronger protections and that decisions to designate them are led by the science."
There are further concerns around the Government's target of having 10% more nature in 2042 than in 2030, by when they aim to have halted species decline and have protections in place for land and sea. However, it has been pointed out, by more than one voice in conservation, that with just how much adversity our nature and wildlife are facing, and by how much some species are expected to decline in the intervening years, that could still mean a dismal future.
The headlines have been prominent in recent years. Our wildlife is in trouble and, with one in ten species in England only just steps away from extinction, action is needed now, not ten or twenty years in the future.
Generally, the concerns are that the targets are too vague and aim too low. As ever, the ask from conservationists is that the rhetoric be done with, and positive actions take its place.
Further reading
Save Swanscombe Peninsula, Kent Wildlife - https://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/save-swanscombe
Nature recovery green paper and consultation - https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/nature-recovery-green-paper
Delivering on the Environment Act, Gov.uk - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/delivering-on-the-environment-act-new-targets-announced-and-ambitious-plans-for-nature-recovery
Nature Recovery Green Paper: Protected Sites and Species, DEFRA - https://consult.defra.gov.uk/nature-recovery-green-paper/nature-recovery-green-paper/
The Wildlife Trusts response - https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/rhetoric-masks-meagre-nature-recovery-plans-wildlife-trusts-say-government-targets-must-aim
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