The UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world.
Keir Starmer warned about ministers’ wavering nature promises (Image: Getty)
Ministers’ “wavering” support for nature investment schemes could see green spaces “slip away” from communities, MPs have warned. The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) said the UK may not meet its pledge to protect 30% of land by 2030 and offer communities greater access to nature without substantial private investment and clear commitments.
Toby Perkins MP, EAC chair, said: “No ifs, no buts: we need Ministers to facilitate private investment by setting out a clear commitment to the biodiversity net gain (BNG) policy. BNG is a ground-breaking approach which can secure genuine and lasting nature recovery in tandem with development in every corner of the country. Speculation that it might be ditched in favour of a broad-brush approach to state funding of nature restoration at scale risks undermining market confidence and further depleting nature in some communities.
“There is a real opportunity, through the Government’s commitment to growth, for nature to grow hand in hand with the economy. Failure to do this properly, and to keep on top of which projects are being invested in, will see green spaces slip away from already nature deprived communities.”
The Committee has urged Ministers to set out the Government’s support for BNG and to ensure that it delivers on the Government’s aspirations for the policy.
BNG encourages developers to provide a minimum increase in biodiversity of 10%, whether this is done on the development site, delivered somewhere else or by buying credits from the Government as compensation.
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There has been speculation that the Government may be wavering on its commitment to BNG, given recent proposals for a state-administered Nature Restoration Fund supplied by developer contributions.
The Committee fears that a move away from BNG will cause uncertainty in nature markets and will have a negative impact on direct investment into nature restoration initiatives.
A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs said: “This Government inherited a failed system that blocks homes, infrastructure, economic growth and does little for nature’s recovery.
“We are working closely with the sector to make Biodiversity Net Gain work more effectively. This is alongside the Nature Restoration Fund which will secure lasting improvements for nature, unblock house building and help fix the broken status quo.”
