The government’s recent announcements pose a threat to wildlife, wild places, and water quality. They threaten to weaken vital protections for habitats and wildlife with the announcement of the new investment zones. They have lifted a ban on fracking and launched a review of the long-awaited Environmental Land Management Schemes, originally designed to reward farmers for restoring nature, climate proofing their business and preventing pollution from entering our rivers. This is an attack on nature, the scale of which has never been seen before.
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, alongside other nature charities, is deeply concerned these announcements pose a serious threat to climate and food security.
Members, supporters and the wider public are being asked to defend nature by contacting MPs and local councillors to voice their concerns.
The government’s proposals have caused outrage among green charities, politicians of all political views, farmers, campaigners, and members of the public – many of whom feel anxious that the Government is not tackling the nature and climate crises with the urgency required.
Developers are currently required to complete ecological surveys, Environmental Impact Assessments, obtain Natural England licences, and perform tree and landscape surveys and flood risk assessments. Warwickshire Wildlife Trust is concerned that speeding up processes in new investment zones may mean these important environmental checks are not completed.
This deregulation may also mean communities and key environmental consultation bodies may lose the democratic opportunity to comment on detailed plans.
An area of land in the vicinity of Coventry airport has been identified to be used as an investment zone and will house a gigafactory, manufacturing batteries for electric vehicles.
The gigafactory sits within the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) impact risk zone of Brandon Marsh nature reserve and very near to Ryton Wood, which is also a designated SSSI. It is also directly within the Nature Improvement Area, as well as being in the climate change vulnerability buffer zone. If none of the current environmental regulations apply, the damage done to wildlife in this local area could be extensive.
Ed Green, CEO of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust says:
"If you are happy that more than one in ten species are at risk of dying out. If you agree that nature is a barrier to economic growth and there’s no connection between food security and a healthy environment. If you are not worried that every river and lake in England currently fails chemical pollution standards and only 16% are classed in good ecological condition, then do nothing.
But if you are angry about this, and terrified the government is making things even worse, then share that anger with your MP and local Councillor. Join #DefendNature and take action for nature by telling the government how you feel about their policies. Tell all the political parties too, demand from them a better, responsible and inspiring approach… tell them all what sort of environment you expect."
Since 1970, more than 40% of species in the UK have declined in abundance, with 26% of mammals at risk of disappearing altogether. Every river and lake in England currently fails chemical pollution standards and only 16% are classed in 'good ecological health' compared to 53% on average in the EU.
As things stand, Government ambition for nature’s recovery aims to have just 10% more nature in 2042 than 2030 levels – by which time the state of our natural world is expected to have declined even further. Earlier this year, The Wildlife Trusts wrote to the Prime Minister expressing serious concern and calling instead for a 20% increase on 2022 levels.