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Government's reform of environmental management must restore nature, says RSPB Cymru
Last modified: 31 January 2012
RSPB Cymru is issuing a challenge to the Welsh Government to ensure that its new approach to environmental management as set out in its Green Paper - Sustaining a Living Wales will improve the delivery of nature conservation to halt and reverse the declines in Wales’ wildlife.
Launched today (Monday 30 January) the Welsh Government’s Green Paper reveals their new “ecosystem’s approach” to managing the environment and natural resources in Wales. This involves an integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes nature conservation and sustainable use in a fair way.
Sharon Thompson, RSPB Cymru Sustainable Development Manager says: “With increasing human pressures on the environment and wildlife, we are looking to Welsh Government to produce a strong framework where conservation and the recovery of wildlife are at the heart of this new approach. This is essential as we need a healthy web of nature if the environment is to continue supporting all our activities.”
She adds: “This Green Paper will lead to Wales having its own Environment Act which must ensure Wales’ existing network of important areas for nature is bigger and better; this is a fundamental requirement if we are to see healthy, resilient ecosystems restored to Wales.”
RSPB Cymru is calling on the Welsh Government to ensure the following to be included in its new approach to environmental management:
1. Protected sites must be retained and improved to ensure that nationally important wildlife sites are protected for future generations to enjoy
2. Ensure that species and habitats under the Wales Biodiversity Action plan are given the importance they require if they are to survive and recover in Wales
3. Include the recognition that the natural environment is worth saving irrespective of whether the benefits to us are obvious or can be measured financially.
The central aim of any plan for the natural environment must be to meet the new EU target to halt the loss of biodiversity and restore it where feasible, by 2020. To succeed we need the Welsh Government to Step up for Nature and commit to a set of measurable outcomes for wildlife in Wales that will help us to focus on the right actions.
RSPB Cymru will be responding to the consultation which will close in May.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to deliver an Environment Act for Wales that truly protects and restores biodiversity.
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