Defra scopes out programme for assessing natural capital and ecosystems

Defra has published a policy paper on the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment Programme – a science, innovation and transformation programme spanning water and land environments.

It has been set up to collect evidence on the extent, condition and change over time of England’s ecosystems and natural capital, and the benefits to society.

Defra said the programme will “underpin the immense value of managing our natural capital, transform the way we make decisions and policy and ensure we invest in environmental reforms that achieve maximum benefit. It will give us insights on the pressures our ecosystems face, covering air quality, biodiversity, carbon storage, habitats, natural flood defences and resilience”.

The paper covers objectives, projects and partners.