The Natural Environment:

Protecting our Biodiversity

‘Everybody wants biodiversity, but nobody

is prepared to do anything about it’.

Three main elements:- A New CBD Strategic Plan (20

targets)- A Resource Mobilisation Package to

support implementation

- Historic agreement on a protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing

Nagoya

Sir John Lawton’s Panel

24 recommendations

‘More, Bigger, Better, Joined’

Nagoya

Lawton

European Biodiversity Strategy

National Ecosystem Assessment

Natural Environment White

Paper/Think BIG

England Biodiversity Strategy

Recent Events/Publications

NEWP – main themes:

a) Protecting and Improving the Natural Environment

b) Growing a green economy

c) Reconnecting people and nature

d) International and EU leadership

NEWP – Biodiversity elements:

a) Endorsed Lawton

b) Nature Improvement Areas

c) Offsets

d) Quantifiable targets

e) International Climate Fund

f) Darwin

Funding:

£10m of new money for NIAs, etc

£92m over four years to clean up rivers

£25m for Darwin

Agri-environment schemes, Catchment Sensitive Farming, etc.

2010 a turning point

Budgets have held up

92 commitments in NEWP – cross-Departmental

Cause for optimism

Martin,brasher@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Conclusion