The UK Government has claimed that its new Planning and Infrastructure Bill offers huge ‘win-win’ opportunities to boost nature, whilst supporting ambitions to build new houses, roll-out renewables, and drive economic growth.
The RSPB says that it believes this bill as it stands puts wildlife at serious risk, fundamentally undermining the UK Government’s manifesto promise to restore nature.
Beccy Speight, chief executive of the RSPB, said, “The UK Government has some serious questions to answer. We have a planning bill that currently risks species extinction and irreversible habitat loss, reports of potentially devastating cuts to the nature-friendly farming budget and the very real possibility of missing legally binding Environment Act targets.
“This government was elected on a promise to restore nature, not push wildlife and precious habitats closer to the brink. Abandoning nature in a push to bolster the Treasury’s coffers is short-sighted in the extreme and comes with a price tag none of us should be prepared to pay. A thriving natural world is essential to underpin both growth and a resilient future.”
Last week saw reports of planned cuts to the nature-friendly farming budget in England as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review. This would have a catastrophic impact on the UK’s ability to tackle the nature and climate crisis, and undermine our long-term food security.
The evidence clearly shows nature isn’t a blocker to growth. In 2021, the Treasury commissioned Dasgupta Review into the economics of global biodiversity found that economies are embedded in nature. Yet last month the Office for Environmental Protection said the proposed planning bill would be a ‘regression’ of environmental protections.
Nature isn’t a luxury, it’s essential for our economy, our food security and our own health and wellbeing.
An RSPB spokesperson said, “The RSPB says it has engaged in good faith with the UK Government for many months. Ministers have yet to change course but there is still time to realise that nature and growth aren’t rivals, they’re essential partners that are the key to a brighter, more resilient future.”