Call for election pledges to save nature

Christian campaigners at an Earth Rally in April 2023

Source: Green Christian

Green Christian is one of the 70+ organisations supporting a call for political leaders to make five General Election pledges to save nature.

Politicians in the UK have made many big promises for nature, but the Westminster Government's own advisors agree: they're not doing enough to improve the natural world. That's why, ahead of the next General Election, over 70 environmental charities have joined forces to create a five-point plan for decision-makers. We want to see this reflected in all Party manifestos, to put a stop to nature's decline.

Open letter to Party leaders, asking them to commit to including these five actions into their manifestos:

Dear Party Leaders,

We are writing to ask you to commit to five specific policies needed to save nature. The Westminster Government is required by law to halt the decline of wildlife by 2030 - the end of the next Parliament - but the destruction of nature continues unabated. Thousands of threatened species continue to decline, the air and water remain unhealthy and polluted, habitats continue to be lost.

On the current trajectory, your own climate and nature advisors have warned there is no realistic prospect of meeting the target, creating a better environment, and stopping dangerous climate change. We need decisive action now. You have seen the huge demand for environmental action, from outrage at the sewage scandal to the outpouring of love for nature that came with Sir David Attenborough's Wild Isles series.

We know what needs to be done. With a General Election around the corner, we will not be satisfied with vague promises that your party cares for the environment. We need firm commitments from all parties to:

1. Double the nature-friendly farming budget to fund a more ambitious transition to wildlife-friendly farming and large-scale nature restoration.

2. A Nature Recovery Obligation to make big businesses plan for and invest in nature's recovery.

3. A rapid delivery plan to protect and manage 30% of the land and sea for nature.

4. A National Nature Service, delivering wide scale habitat restoration and creating thousands of green jobs.

5. A legal right to a healthy environment, giving everyone the right to access clean water, clean air and nature.

No political party has yet set out a convincing plan to reverse nature's decline, despite the tremendous benefits that success would bring for economic prosperity, public health and the future of our planet.

To be credible on the environment before the next election, we urge you to commit to these 'Nature 2030' proposals without delay.

https://greenchristian.org.uk/