Natural England State of the Natural Environment, Strategic Direction refresh, and Manifesto

Dr Helen Phillips, Chief Executive, Natural England

Natural England works for people, places and nature, to conserve and enhance

biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas

We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value,

the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings

Natural England

Natural England Publications

Manifesto for the Natural Environment - our call to others -

Analysis of the most pressing issues facing the natural environment in England and a ‘call to action’ by others

Strategic Direction and Corporate Plan - our leadership - our action -

How Natural England proposes to address the concerns raised

State of the Natural Environment (SoNE)- the evidence -

Evidence that underpins Natural England’s work

Annual review- Our achievements -

Natural England’s achievements over the past 12 months

The State of the Natural Environment brings together in one place for the first time the current evidence about our natural

environment and people’s access to it

-

Marks the start of a process of making evidence available and working with stakeholders to build on this foundation

-

Highlights important gaps in Natural England’s natural environment evidence base

-

Sets the baseline for our work going forward

The state of the natural environment report -

our evidence

The state of the natural environment report - Key messages

Some stabilisation has been achieved by targeted conservation measures and some reversal of the previous losses seen throughout most of the

20th century

-

Natural environment is in an impoverished and fragile state, particularly outside of areas that have benefited from targeted efforts

-

Large latent interest in the natural environment

-

We are evidence-rich in terms of the state of the environment, but evidence poor in terms of function and process, and the ways society

interacts with the environment

-

Good operational evidence but evidence gaps remain

Strategic Direction – our leadership

1a healthy natural

environment

2People are inspired

to value and conserve the

natural environment

3sustainable use of the

natural environment

4a secure

environmental future

Strategic Direction – our leadership

new policies and evidence

eg Stern

experience offirst 18 months

new PSA targets

and CSR 07

climate change

– adaptation and mitigation

bring the environment into

everyday life

recognition of the needs of the natural environment

best ways touse England’s finite natural

resource

Why do a refresh?

What were the challenges identified?

Strategic Direction Framework of objectives - Outcome 1

Strategic Direction Framework of objectives – Outcome 2

Strategic Direction Framework of objectives – Outcome 3

Strategic Direction Framework of objectives – Outcome 4

What are the main developments?

• Landscape scale • Healthy, resilient ecosystems

• Marine environment • Engagement of people

• Engage at all levels • Spatial understanding

• Long term vision • Frameworks and funding

• Integrated solutions • Environmental Leadership

Strategic Direction – our leadership

The situationThe state of the natural environment matters to everyone in England. It is

an essential national asset that enriches our lives and economy. This natural wealth provides an essential foundation for our economic and

social well being -

A healthy natural environment provides an essential public service that sustains our way of life. It is in the interest of everyone that action is

taken now to maintain this

The challengesOur land and our marine resources are in demand more than ever before

-England is now locked into 50 years of unavoidable climate change

- Our growing population is increasingly disconnected from the natural

world

Manifesto for the natural environment –

Our call to others

Services a healthy natural environment provides:

• Basic necessities of life such as clean air, clean water and food

• Increased economic productivity, providing raw materials for energy and construction and underpinning profitable tourism and recreation industries

• Security against climate change, reducing our carbon emissions, moderating temperature extremes, helping to protect against the risk of flooding and the spread of diseases

• Our natural health service, making a major contribution to the health and wellbeing of the nation, free for everyone to use and enjoy

• Our cultural identity, bringing pleasure to millions

Manifesto for the natural environment –

Our call to others

Demands - A call to action-

• Better management of the natural environment

-• Reconnecting people and nature

-• Using the natural environment sustainably

-• Taking difficult decisions for the future

Manifesto for the natural environment –

Our call to others

Our commitments• We will demonstrate that significant cuts in carbon are achievable

over the short-term. We will reduce the carbon footprint of our estates and business travel by 50% by the end of 2010

• We will better target the £2.9 billion of taxpayers’ money that we manage through our green land management schemes to help people and nature adapt to climate change

• We will take steps to ensure that our National Nature Reserves do more to connect the public with the natural environment

• We will use our statutory powers to ensure that planning and transport proposals contribute to the conservation and enhancement of the natural environment

• We will help find the space for renewable energy by publishing a map of suitable locations for onshore wind energy developments

Manifesto for the natural environment

Housing growthGreen Infrastructure in new developments, Ecotowns, Growth Points

Planning reform, avoiding/minimising impacts on the natural environmentClimate change mitigation (renewable energy)

Climate change adaptation and land use allocation

Local Area AgreementsIdentifying local environmental priorities

Targeting funding and action using evidence and local knowledgeResponding to new duties (to cooperate & have regard)

Sub-National Review Integrated Regional Strategies (to include sustainable development,

and environment)New roles for RDAs and local authorities

Role of the environment in economic development & regeneration

Current opportunities for Natural England and Local Government to work together?

Discussion

• How might local government & the LGA respond to our “call to action”?

• How can the Board help Natural England to get its messages across?

• How can Natural England help you to give a lead on the natural environment within local government?

• How do we need to work together?