Buff tailed bumblebee. Image by Chris Gomersall 2020VISION.
Wildlife charities’ top 10 issues for nature’s recovery in 2023
The list is long. but there's a lot to be done this year to protect nature.
Northumberland Wildlife Trusts, in partnership with the 45 other UK wildlife trusts, has produced an urgent environmental to-do list for the UK Government in 2023 - issued at a time when action to restore the natural world is more urgent than ever.
Mike Pratt, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Chief Executive says:
“There’s a lot on the list, but there’s a lot to do. In 2022, the UK witnessed first-hand the impacts of a warming world on nature, with devastating wildfires and extended periods of drought putting nature under increasing pressure. Research also revealed that global wildlife populations have seen a catastrophic 69% drop on average since 1970.
“There was an unprecedented attack on nature by the Liz Truss Government, including the ‘Bulldozer Bill’ - officially called the Retained EU Law Bill, - which is hurtling its way through Parliament. It threatens to rip up over a thousand laws that protect the environment.
“Last year saw the Government commit to a range of new environment targets but, with less than seven years to halt nature’s decline by 2030, the Government’s New Year’s resolution must be to end their culture of delay and get cracking with their long ‘to-do’ list from last year.”
It is not just nature that will benefit. Health gets a boost too, through cleaner air and water, and communities enjoying access to natural green space.
In 2023, The Wildlife Trusts are calling on the Government to ensure that nature is able to recover by:
- Scrapping the Retained EU Law Bill, which is scheduled to be debated by MPs soon and threatens s to wipe away thousands of crucial laws that protect wildlife by the end of 2023.
- Ensuring new farm schemes (ELMs) reward farmers for benefits to society with further detail on new ELM schemes expected in the coming weeks, The Wildlife Trusts want to see a clear departure from the old agri-environment schemes and much more generous support for farmers to restore nature, reduce pesticide use and adapt to climate change.
- Setting a clear plan to protect at least 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030 - little progress has been made on the Government's 30x30 target, with just 3.22% of England’s land effectively protected for nature. January’s expected Environmental Improvement Plan needs to set out how this target will be met, including consulting on a new legally binding target to improve the state of our protected sites.
- Publishing a proper set of government policies to address climate change - the revised Net Zero Strategy is due out before the end of March and the first of the revised National Adaptation Plans (for England) is due in the summer. Both sets of plans are not yet strong enough to ensure meaningful action is taken to address the climate crisis and neither has adequately represented nature to date.
- Taking urgent action on river pollution to protect wildlife and clean up England’s waterways and tackling agricultural pollution, which accounts for around 40% of waters failing ecological standards and should be prioritised alongside an ongoing focus on water industry pollution.
- Reviewing planning reform so that it sets clear and strong rules to protect nature - the current review of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) must strengthen protections for Local Wildlife Sites and create a new Wildbelt designation to ensure nature’s recovery and provide access to nature for all.
- Designating Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) which will give stronger levels of protection to allow nature to fully recover at sea. The Government has until 6 July 2023 to designate new pilot HPMAs.
- Setting a presumption against development of offshore wind farms in designated sites - Offshore wind has a huge impact on sea life, marine habitats and the blue carbon they store. With less than 20% of our Marine Protected Areas in ‘recovering’ or ‘favourable’ conservation status and a significant increase in offshore wind generation expected, The Wildlife Trusts want to see a presumption against development for these sites.
- Banning the import, sale and extraction of peat products by the end of 2023. The Wildlife Trusts want to see a full retail ban on the sale of bagged peat compost, alongside a plan to restore all bogs damaged by the removal of peat to recognise the incredible role they play in tackling climate change and preventing flooding.
- Recognising the vital role that nature plays in our health and education by renewing commitments and outlining progress towards the introduction of a Natural History GCSE ready for a first teach of September 2025 securing funding for Green Prescribing for Mental Health pilots up until March 2025.