March 2020
Dear Constituent,
Thank you for contacting me about British nature. Your concerns have been carefully read and noted.
The decision to leave the European Union has created an historic opportunity to deliver a green Brexit, where environmental standards are not only maintained but enhanced.
The Environment Bill will place environmental ambition and accountability at the heart of Government. Legislative measures will be introduced to address the biggest environmental priorities of our age, including nature recovery, ensuring we can deliver on the commitment to leave the natural world in a better condition than we found it.
In the 25 Year Environment Plan, the Government committed to developing a Nature Recovery Network and, in the long term, to create or restore 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat outside the protected site series. A new framework for Local Nature Recovery Strategies will be legislated for in the Environment Bill, to help support the Nature Recovery Network and better direct investment in the environment and green infrastructure – creating places that are richer in wildlife and provide wider benefits for local communities. The Bill will also require the preparation and publication of Local Nature Recovery Strategies, mapping nature-rich habitats, so that investment can be targeted where it will make the most difference. These local plans will embrace local knowledge to strengthen links between neighbouring communities and support the wider Network.
Finally, the Government will establish a £640 million Nature for Climate Fund. The Fund will be used to dramatically increase tree-planting rates in England with more research into the most appropriate species to plant across the country.
The Government is proud of its role in protecting our environment and will strive to deliver on the commitment to support the natural world.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
With best wishes.
Kind regards,
Jonathan Lord
Member of Parliament for Woking