25 Year environment plan

Transcription

1 The 25 Year Environment Plan 25 Year environment plan Our vision is to be the first generation to leave the environment in a better state than we inherited it. Nick Barter, Defra

2 The environment matters, hence a 25 year environment plan Our environment is at the heart of our national identity and provides us with a life support system essential for human survival. It provides a huge number of benefits. We need to value, protect and improve it for ourselves and future generations. By making better decisions to improve the environment we can support the economy and wellbeing. Hazard protection Food production Clean air & water Beautiful landscapes Healthy & diverse seas Less waste & more efficient resource use Recreation Thriving plants & wildlife I feel more relaxed when I m outside in the fresh air It s very important that we look after our environment; I want my children to have forests to play in like I did Pollution is really bad where I live so I don t like going outside A 25 YEP offers the opportunity for: Taking a new strategic approach: By developing a new strategic way of managing the environment using the concept of natural capital - we can support the public, businesses, government and others to make better decisions to improve the environment in a way that also benefits public wellbeing and the economy. Improving our policy framework: With EU Exit, we can develop a fit-for-purpose environmental framework, which is outcome-focused, effective, efficient and tailored to the needs of this country. A framework that delivers an improved environment including for farming and fisheries. Members of the public views on the environment in

3 The elephant in the room I know there has been understandable impatience that the Plan has been longer in gestation than a baby elephant. But I want to make sure our plan is as ambitious as possible.

4 What are we doing to develop it? We are. Using the insights of natural capital thinking including the importance of beauty, wildlife, and the health benefits arising from exposure to natural environments. (The underlying stocks and the flows of benefits which makes nat cap so valuable). Designing it as an umbrella strategy for all our natural environment policy including future fishing and farming policy post CAP/CFP. Developing it as a live document to build on as we get more certainty. Augmenting public funding with a focus on innovative private financing e.g, Upstream Thinking (similar new markets should be possible).

5 The Communities and Local Government Committee report on public parks Gov t recognises: the value of parks in helping foster the health and wellbeing of our diverse communities; and the value of local leadership in driving local environmental improvement. Launched a new Parks Action Group. Government is providing 500,000 funding to kick start their work. DCLG/Defra considering how GI/Parks are recognised in the 25 YEP. Work underway to better understand and incorporate the benefits of the environment into decision making using a natural capital approach e.g, ORVAL (enabling recreational values of green space to be modelled).

6 Better valuation Outdoor Recreation (ORVal) Outdoor Recreation Valuation Tool (ORVal) - Working with Exeter University Value / alter / create any public green space. Based on Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment (MENE) and other spatial data. World-leading econometrics. Easy-to-use interface. Upgraded version in autumn. 6

7 The plan s structure Developing the plan around first principles why, what, how. The why refers to the motivation for having a plan; the economic and health and wellbeing benefits that an improved environment will provide for current and future generations. The what refers to what we want to achieve; the desired outcomes for each aspect of the environment. The how refers to the actions necessary to deliver the what.

8 Possible environmental benefits and outcomes Natural capital goods and benefits Clean air Long-term outcomes for 25 YEP We want our air to be clean, supporting our health and wildlife. Clean and plentiful water We want water for human use and for nature to be clean and plentiful Plants and wildlife (terrestrial and marine) We want our species and habitats to be enhanced to levels that are resilient in a changing climate Protection from natural hazards (such as flooding) We want to reduce the risks of harm from flooding, drought and coastal erosion to people, the environment and the economy Products from natural resources Opportunity for engagement with nature and the environment We want products from natural resources, including food, fish and timber, to be produced and consumed sustainably We want the natural environment to be actively enjoyed and used by all. Beautiful and historic landscapes and seascapes We want landscapes and seascapes to be conserved and enhanced to significantly increase people s appreciation and enjoyment.

9 cont. Pressures Long-term outcomes for 25 YEP Climate change Waste and resource efficiency Chemicals We want to avoid dangerous climate change and be resilient to unavoidable climate change. Climate change should have minimal adverse impact upon human health and wellbeing and on wildlife. We want to use resources as efficiently as possible, minimising and managing unavoidable waste. We want chemicals to be safely used and managed to protect our health and the environment. Biosecurity We want to enhance biosecurity to protect our wildlife and livestock, as well as protecting the resilience of plants and trees.

10 Questions What are the key outcomes/goals/objectives that you would like included? What role do you see for government and for others? What's the right geographical scale for making decisions? What are the ways of resourcing it? What are the barriers to improving the quantity and quality of GI?