Urgent progress on nature is required

Responding to the publication of the second monitoring report from the Office for Environmental Protection, Signe Norberg, Head of Public Affairs and Communications at the Aldersgate Group,  said: “Business welcomes today’s report which illustrates the urgent need for action to improve the natural environment and the critical role of the Office for Environmental Protection in holding the Government to account. While the 25 Year Environment Plan set out Government’s long-term vision for the environment, the report is clear: more coordination is needed to restore and reverse the decline of nature. Government now has the opportunity to build on its vision and publish an ambitious and robust environmental improvement plan at the end of the month, featuring better alignment and coordination at all levels of Government, including local and national government.”

Signe Norberg added: “A comprehensive and detailed plan would ensure business can commit tangible investments towards nature restoration. Ambitious and clear long-term as well as interim targets – supported by a detailed delivery plan and a whole-of-government vision for the environment – will create a stable framework within which the private sector can invest. It will enable them to accelerate and implement their own plans to address the nature crisis, as well as create new markets and generate jobs across the country. The UK Government must act to introduce this as priority to ensure the private sector can play its role in protecting and restoring the natural environment. This urgency was further underscored this week by the recent Net Zero Review which highlighted the crucial role of nature in meeting the UK’s climate ambition.”