Conservationists are urging political parties to deliver on “overdue” policies such as banning sales of horticultural peat and allowing the reintroduction of beavers into the wild, promised but not delivered by the previous government. And parties are being warned the next government will need to get on track to meet international commitments to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030 as well as targets for tree planting and peatland restoration to tackle the climate crisis. It comes as polling shows the majority of people believe the main parties are falling short on addressing the wildlife and climate crises, cleaning up river pollution, backing sustainable food production through nature-friendly farming and ensuring people have access to nature locally.
A poll of 2,221 people by Savanta for the Wildlife Trusts found nearly two fifths (39%) would vote based on parties’ green policies, 79% thought nature was important for wellbeing and prosperity, and 59% thought environmental issues were as important as others facing the country. The Environment Act 2021 has a legal target to halt the decline in wildlife in England by 2030, piling pressure on the next government to reverse the situation which has left the UK one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth. Wildlife and conservation groups are echoing calls from farmers to significantly boost the budget for agricultural subsidies, which post-Brexit are focused on paying for “public goods”, such as healthy soils, hed.
