Implementing new nature conservation policies to deliver biodiversity gains. Peter Brotherton Head of Biodiversity

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1 Implementing new nature conservation policies to deliver biodiversity gains Peter Brotherton Head of Biodiversity

2 The new evidence - policy landscape

3 Two actions to save England s biodiversity 1. Take proper account of the value of our natural environment in decisions and policies across all sectors 2. Establish coherent, resilient ecological networks on land and in our seas

4 Two actions to save England s biodiversity 1. Take proper account of the value of our natural environment in decisions and policies across all sectors The Natural Environment White Paper 2. Establish coherent, resilient ecological networks on land and in our seas The new England Biodiversity Strategy: Biodiversity 2020

5 Headline NEWP and EBS delivery outcomes for 2020 include: 25% of English waters contained in a well-managed Marine Protected Area network 90% of priority wildlife habitats in recovering or favourable condition (hardest to achieve but greatest effect) At least 50% SSSIs in favourable, while maintaining at least 95% in favourable/ recovering condition No net loss of priority habitat and an increase of at least 200,000 ha At least 17% of England managed effectively to safeguard biodiversity and ecosystem services At least 15% of degraded ecosystems restored, as contribution to climate change mitigation and adaptation Species overall improvement in status and no further human-induced extinctions of known threatened species

6 Key provisions to help deliver these outcomes include: Encouraging a more integrated, large-scale approach to conservation on land and at sea a focus on the Lawton recommendations for establishing coherent ecological networks: more, bigger, better, joined in particular, establishing Nature Improvement Areas, including a 7.5 million competition to help set up the first twelve (to start in 2012)

7 Nature Improvement Areas through to stage 2 Final decision in early NIAs will receive funding Candidate NIAs

8 Key provisions to help deliver NEWP/ EBS outcomes include: Encouraging a more integrated, large-scale approach to conservation on land and at sea a focus on the Lawton recommendations for establishing coherent ecological networks: more, bigger, better, joined in particular, establishing Nature Improvement Areas, including a 7.5 million competition to help set up the first twelve (to start in 2012) Reducing environmental pressures across high impact sectors agriculture, forestry, development, water management, fisheries Applying the ecosystem approach to achieve sustainable land and sea use, including becoming better at valuing nature A new indicator set to track progress

9 Valuing nature and paying for ecosystem services NOT about putting a value on every lapwing or flower But we must move away from the current market failure where the most environmentally damaging actions and products are often the cheapest. Potential opportunity: Better understanding of true impacts of actions New markets could develop for some ecosystem services New partners and business opportunities Better (and cost-effective) outcomes for society and biodiversity

10 Some challenges ahead Nature Improvement Areas can we ensure that these are both of sufficient scale to make a difference, and receive sufficient focus and resources to succeed in making the case for this approach? Improving habitat quality so that ecological networks have thriving populations in their core sites can we manage in modern, economical ways that deliver what species need? Ensuring the ecosystem approach conserves all biodiversity, not just the biodiversity we get better at valuing. Reconciling policy priorities: Delivering national/ international commitments while increasing delivery through localism and big society Reversing biodiversity decline without being a block to economic growth, with less resource and less regulation

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