I spoke in the Environment Bill debate on the day we were considering biodiversity. From my work with Slimbridge WWT and the various excellent local groups who are committed to reversing the decline of nature and ambitious for wildlife, I know this is something that we care deeply about here.
The Bill does a range of things to drive improvement for nature, including providing a clear government target that I have been campaigning for with MP colleagues. A few points that may be of interest:
* we are investing in tree planting and peatland restoration
* the UK is at the forefront of marine protection with 371 Marine Protected areas = 38% UK waters
* there will be a 10% biodiversity net gain requirement means that new developments will be required to help wildlife thrive
* provision for a strengthened biodiversity duty on public authorities
* creation of Local Nature Recovery Strategies
* Species conservation strategies and protected sites strategies will improve conservation of our most vulnerable species and habitats
* Conservation covenants will allow landowners to create legally binding agreements to conserve land
* New requirements will be set on larger businesses that use agricultural commodities associated with wide-scale international deforestation.
This will prohibit the use of unlawfully produced forest risk commodities and require businesses to report on their supply chains to ensure commodities they use.