Kent Wildlife Trust response to Government plans for nature and net zero

Yesterday the Secretary of State for the environment set out plans to restore nature and “build back greener” after the pandemic. Rt Hon. George Eustice MP made the speech at an online event hosted by The Wildlife Trusts during which the public could ask questions.

You can watch the event again here.

Much focus was given to plans for tree planting, species reintroduction and peatland restoration in England, including a ban on peat sales subject to a public consultation.

The call for a species abundance target and reintroductions is particularly welcome as Kent Wildlife Trust are driving this forward as critical nature-based solution to the climate and nature crises.

Evan Bowen Jones, Chief Executive of Kent Wildlife Trust, says: 

“Yesterday the UK Government declared its intent to amend the much-delayed Environment Bill to include legally binding targets to halt species declines in England by 2030. This shows potential. But, without any immediate mechanism to protect nature here in the southeast from a plethora of housing development and schemes in the mix including the London Resort – which threatens entire assemblages of rare species with the “nationally significant” aim of building a theme park full of plastic dinosaurs – a nine-year wait for 'biodiversity net zero' just doesn't cut it.

“Kent Wildlife Trust’s main focus will remain on working with Kent communities, businesses, and local government to deliver real results now, well ahead of these distant targets. We have to move quicker wherever possible to combat the nature and climate crisis and Kent Wildlife Trust’s vision for a Wilder Kent enables us to do just that.”

Returning missing species is also at the heart of the Wilder Kent vision Kent Wildlife Trust published two years ago.

Paul Hadaway, Director of Conservation at Kent Wildlife Trust, added:

“Returning species like bison and beaver to our depleted landscapes can act as a driver for the restoration of nature, creating new habitat which also stores carbon. Through their roles as ecosystem engineers, they tackle flood risk and can engage people in experiencing nature in a way we haven't for generations.

“However there was little information given on how the recovery of nature will be funded we need the legally binding targets to be truly ambitious, with an independent and properly funded watchdog to ensure they are met.”

While it is widely acknowledged that there is a big opportunity for a ‘green recovery’ from Covid19, The Wildlife Trusts fear that there is a real danger of ‘building back’ just as before – for example by investing in damaging new road building and destructive developments such as HS2 rail and Sizewell C nuclear power station, rather than investing in nature on land and at sea on the scale that is urgently needed.

Kent Wildlife Trust are calling for urgent implementation of:

Natural Climate Solutions to be considered as a critical component in tackling climate change and to change the view of ‘green investments’ and raise income to restore nature at a previously impossible scale in an ethical way. Protecting wildlife while locking up carbon for future generations

A Nature Recovery Network to be at the heart of the future planning system to enable new nature places to be carefully mapped out, joined up and put where they will work best for nature and people. A healthy and connected natural world will ensure that species have enough space to survive, thrive and move if they need to, in response to climate change.

A future planning system that does not jeopardise nature. Defra should hold the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to account so that faster planning does not mean poorer protection for nature. The planning system must help address the wildlife crisis with a new Wildbelt designation to protect land in recovery for nature. Furthermore, there is an enormous threat to marine life from the huge expansion of offshore wind development and we must not forget the role that our seas play in mitigating climate change, locking away carbon. Strategic planning at sea must ensure green energy does not increase the threat to nature.

Highly Protected Marine Areas across at least 30% of our seas’ protected network. It is disappointing that in a speech which highlights plans to protect and restore nature, and tackle the climate and biodiversity crises, that no mention is given to the marine environment. We need to restore seagrass and saltmarsh for wildlife and carbon storage as much as we do trees and peat.  

A ban on selling peat in compost before the UK hosts the global climate conference COP26 in Glasgow in November this year. The planned consultation must also set an early date for the phase-out of peat use altogether.

A tenfold increase in peatland restoration, an end to all upland peat burning and better controls to stop drainage of peat soils for farming. Peatlands are one of the UK’s most precious wildlife habitats, capable of storing huge amounts of carbon, but over 80% of them are in poor condition. It is disappointing that the Government’s initial target is only to restore 35,000 hectares of them; its own advisors have estimated that ten times that – 300,000 hectares – should be repaired in England.

A Tree Action Plan which firmly puts habitat creation and nature protection at its heart, creating natural, joined-up woods that are good for wildlife and accessible to people. Important wildflower meadows, peatlands and species-rich grasslands should not be damaged by tree planting. A move towards natural regeneration, where woods naturally grows from fallen seeds, should be a priority because they are better for wildlife.