3 September 2024
Today (3 September 2024) nature organisations are calling on peers to back a bill that would place a "green duty" on public bodies. From National Park Authorities to County Councils, a green duty for public bodies would drive action and investment in nature.
The call comes in response to the introduction of the Environmental Targets (Public Authorities) Bill by Lord Krebs, which aims to ensure that all relevant decisions made by public bodies contribute towards achieving the UK’s Environment Act targets.
With just over five years remaining for the UK to meet its legally binding target of halting the decline of wildlife and ensuring that 30% of land and sea are effectively protected for nature, a green duty is key to turning around repeated environmental under-delivery.
Reports last year showed that 1 in 6 species were at risk of extinction and that only 3% of land and 8% of seas in England were effectively protected for nature. The public wants better for nature, with YouGov polling from May 2024 showing 71% of the public believe that the Government isn’t doing enough to protect the environment for the next generation.
If passed, the bill would apply to over 40 agencies and government departments —including Ofwat, The Crown Estate, Network Rail, National Park authorities, as well as councils across England. Agencies would be required to make sure that their decisions contribute to meeting targets set under the Environment Act 2021 and the Climate Change Act 2008.
Environmental leaders believe that the proposed green duty will address the backseat role which nature has historically played in many public decisions and give public bodies at national and local levels a clear direction on environmental work, making it easier for the UK to meet its environmental commitments.
Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link said, “From the regulation of water companies, farming, and forestry, to big spending, planning and development decisions, public bodies play a huge role in shaping our everyday lives and the future of nature. Yet many of the UK’s most important public institutions were established long before we realised the scale of the environmental challenge. Their purposes and duties are often hopelessly out of date and the results are clear. Time after time, nature is forgotten, or left to play second fiddle.”
“We urge all Parliamentarians to support Lord Krebs’s important bill, which would ensure that all public bodies have a clear purpose and duty to help save nature and stop climate change. That will help ensure that economic growth goes hand-in-hand with environmental recovery.
“It’s brilliant that all the major political parties supported nature and climate targets, but it’s only by applying those targets to regulators and decision-makers on the ground that we’ll really see change. The Environmental Targets (Public Authorities) Bill would be a fast and cost-effective way for the Government to take action for wildlife, water quality, climate and pollution reduction.”
Beccy Speight, CEO of RSPB UK said that, “Like all of us, our public institutions have a crucial part to play in delivering ambitious nature and climate targets and ensuring vital focus to tackle the current environmental crisis. Passing this Bill will help ensure better join up across all our public bodies and the impetus and momentum now required for decision making by those bodies to make a vital contribution to nature’s recovery.”
Harry Bowell, Director of Land and Nature at the National Trust said: "It is increasingly clear that addressing climate change, reversing the decline in nature in the UK, and solving some of the nation's most pressing environmental challenges - such as water pollution - requires every part of government to play their part. Yet the Office for Environmental Protection has been clear about how far we are away from doing what's required to secure a healthy natural environment. As an organisation that works closely with many public bodies,+- we believe that this new duty would empower them to make decisions that are sustainable for the long-term and ensure everyone can benefit from a healthier natural environment.”
Craig Bennett, CEO of the Wildlife Trusts said, “Nature recovery must be woven into the very fabric of government. The Wildlife Trusts fully support this bill to ensure that all departments and public bodies play a part in creating a greener, healthier and wilder natural environment. Action on climate change and nature loss must span the political spectrum, so we urge politicians of all persuasions to back this policy.”
Hugo Talghom, CEO of Oceana UK said, "Our seas need stronger protection, and the Green Duty Bill is a crucial step in the right direction. By requiring public bodies to prioritise nature recovery, this bill could drive real progress in restoring the health of English waters. Oceana UK fully supports this legislation and calls on MPs and Peers to support its safe passage through Parliament. We simply cannot afford to leave our seas at the mercy of outdated policies that ignore the stark urgency of the climate and nature crisis."
Mark Lloyd, CEO of the Rivers Trust said “The natural environment is fundamental for our wellbeing, economy and, in fact, our very survival. It is often seen as the concern only of Defra and the environmental regulators, but every public body needs to make decisions that contribute to the recovery of a thriving, resilient landscape with healthy rivers. This is an excellent bill and we hope that the government takes notice of this important proposal.”
ENDS
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