HMG’s 25 Year Environment Plan daniel.barwick@defra.gov.uk

The journey here The National Ecosystem Assessment (2011) The Natural Environment White Paper (2011) The Natural Capital Committee’s third State of Natural Capital report (2015) “…we pledge to be the first generation to leave the environment in a better state than we inherited it. That is why we shall produce a comprehensive 25 Year Environment Plan that will chart how we will improve our environment” (2017) The 25 Year Environment Plan (2018) The 25 Year Environment Plan

Managing the environment through the concept of ‘natural capital’ The 25 Year Environment Plan

Fundamentally, it’s about better decision making If we are ignorant of the true value of nature we all too easily place a value of zero on it. This leads to nature being over-consumed and under-resourced. E.g, Aral Sea, concreting over front gardens, cutting down street trees, promoting diesel cars…. At its heart, a natural capital approach is about the desire to ensure the full value of the environment is factored into all the decisions we take, be that by Government, businesses or individuals.

Defra’s EnviTAG - Making evidence and tools more accessible HM Treasury Green Book gives a top-level introduction to Natural Capital approach and economic valuation evidence Defra’s Environmental Tools and Appraisal Guidance (EnviTAG) web-pages goes next level down: Official accessible resource of selected and signposted natural capital guidance, evidence, data, tools and case studies Make it easier for non-specialist analysts and decision-makers to better value and account for natural capital. Build capacity and understanding by demystifying and making key evidence accessible Help clarify evidence gaps First version by early 2019 - can be updated and improved over time as knowledge develops Supports various 25 Year Environment Plan commitments … “Improve our understanding and valuation of the benefits of natural capital” “Better incorporate the full spectrum of natural capital and the value of the benefits it provides into analysis and appraisal across government.” “Over the long term … develop a more relevant, accessible and transferable knowledge base and the skills to support better decisions”

The 25 Year Environment Plan

The actions we will take The 25 Year Environment Plan

Key commitments in the Plan Using and managing land sustainably: Embedding an ‘environmental net gain’ principle for development Improving how we incentivise good land management; soil & peatlands Maximising benefits from woodlands; appoint a tree champion; Northern Forest; Woodland Carbon Guarantee scheme Reducing risks from flooding and coastal erosion Recovering nature and enhancing the beauty of landscapes: Developing a Nature Recovery Network and a strategy for nature Reviewing National Parks and AONBs Consult on a code and best practice for species reintroduction projects. Connecting people with nature: Health and wellbeing; encouraging children to be close to nature; Greening our towns and cities; Year of Green Action; Encouraging young people to take practical action and to create positive change www.iwill.org.uk/pledge/defra/ The 25 Year Environment Plan

Key commitments in the Plan Increasing resource efficiency and reducing pollution and waste Waste and Resources Strategy: Plastic; food; litter; residual waste; fly- tipping; Reducing Pollution: Clean Air Strategy; Chemicals Strategy Clean, productive, biologically diverse seas and oceans Consult on 3rd tranche of Marine Conservation Zones, implement 2019 Sustainable fisheries policy; Fisheries Bill replacing CFP Achieving good environmental status in our seas Protecting & Improving our global environment Leadership on climate change and international biodiversity Ban the trade in ivory; Helping developing nations Leaving a lighter footprint on the global environment The 25 Year Environment Plan

Putting the plan into practice Consulting on setting up a new independent body to hold government to account and a new set of environmental principles to underpin policy- making; Environment Bill. Developing a set of metrics to assess progress towards our 25-year goals. Refreshing the 25 Year Environment Plan regularly to ensure that collectively we are focusing on the right priorities, using the latest evidence, and delivering better value for money. Strengthening leadership and delivery through better local planning, more effective partnerships and learning from our four pioneer projects; Local Natural Capital Plans; Ox-Cambs growth arc. Post EU-Exit public funding; Exploring the potential for a natural environment impact fund; Producing an HMG Green Finance Strategy. Work closely with a large range of stakeholders over the coming year to identify their contribution to the goals set out in this Plan; Establishing a new Council for Sustainable Business. The 25 Year Environment Plan