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Make the Government meet its green promise
Nature needs an ambitious white paper.
UPDATE: Thank you to everyone who stepped up for nature and wrote to their MP about this issue. The White Paper has now been released and we will update this page as soon as the outcomes of the Paper are clearer. Watch this space!
The Natural Environment White Paper (NEWP) outlines exactly how the UK Government intends to protect wildlife and reverse biodiversity loss. To succeed, it's critical that these responsibilities are shared across all government departments - it can't all be left to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Defra is now in the process of finalising the white paper, which is to be released to other government departments in May.
Pressure is needed
We now need to keep up the pressure and ensure the Natural Environment White Paper achieves as much as possible.
We have welcomed the progress made so far. Your efforts, including a record 15,000 responses to last year's public consultation, have had a real impact on Defra ministers. They have strengthened their resolve to push for a strong, effective NEWP supported across government.
However, there is a fear that senior ministers and civil servants in other government departments may seek to weaken any ambitious targets set out in the white paper when it is sent to them for approval in late spring. This is despite the fact that the NEWP could benefit many of those same departments.
An ambitious white paper could help meet targets for renewable energy, sustainable farming, planning and investment in nature. These would benefit the departments of Energy and Climate Change, Communities and Local Government, and the Treasury.
How you can help
The massive response to last year's consultation demonstrated public support for a strong white paper. We now need as many MPs as possible to demonstrate strong parliamentary support and send a message to Ministers not to water it down.
One of the most effective ways to display support for an issue such as this is through an Early Day Motion (EDM), which acts as a Parliamentary petition and can supply political momentum to a campaign.
EDM 1601, tabled by Martin Horwood MP and sponsored by MPs from all the main political parties, calls on the UK Government to 'share responsibility in committing to a strong and effective white paper which helps the Government meet its commitment to be "the greenest Government ever".'
Ask your MP to step up for nature and sign EDM 1601 in support of keeping the Natural Environment White Paper.
When you contact your MP you may wish to include any or all of the following:
- With 45% of important habitats and 29% of priority species declining or lost, it is time for the UK Government to make a clear commitment to halt biodiversity loss, restore our natural environment and connect people with nature.
- The UK needs to commit to ways of meeting its EU target to halt biodiversity loss and begin its restoration by 2020. The Natural Environment White Paper is an excellent opportunity to ensure that Government departments collectively work together to achieve this goal.
- However, the Natural Environment White Paper can only be effective if it the ambitions set out in it are not weakened by other departments when it is sent for approval by Defra in late spring.
- Please sign EDM 1601 to demonstrate your support
Where do I need to send my letter or e-mail?
You can find out who your MP is - and how to contact them - using the link on the right of this page. Also, all MPs can be reached in writing at House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.
Please send copies of your letter or e-mail, and any replies to campaigns@rspb.org.uk. Alternatively, you can post them to: Ceri Smith, Natural Environment White Paper Campaign, FREEPOST ANG6335, The RSPB, UK Headquarters, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2BR. This will help us monitor the progress of our campaign.
Thank you for stepping up for nature.