Six nature champions call on UK to "go further and faster" on biodiversity

Six UK nature conservation bodies have pledged to help governments, businesses and the public to “go further and faster on nature recovery and do much more to align action to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, and tackle climate change.”

In a joint statement ahead of the two-years delayed UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15) in Canada they have called for the UK to:

• commit to ambitious global targets at COP15 to enhance biodiversity;

• support governments around the world on nature recovery with the UK’s world-leading knowledge and skills in the nature sector;

• drive public and private investment in nature-based solutions;

• embed environmental security and nature recovery into all decision making; and

• deliver on the UK government’s policies to protect and enhance nature.

Natural England chair Tony Juniper, said: “This isn’t just about saving rare species, it’s about sustaining the web of life upon which humankind ultimately depends, for food, water, health and climate regulation.

“The meeting has the chance to significantly increases the mobilisation of resources to implement such a plan. We know from numerous examples of nature recovery that we have helped deliver that this will be money well spent, and certainly cheaper than dealing with the consequences of not taking action”.