The plunder of our seas by industrial fishing is a monstrosity in which almost everyone unwittingly collaborates. For decades this truth has been deliberately hidden from us. Now at last the consensus is cracking. This week's column. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Attenborough’s Ocean is the film I’ve been waiting my whole career for – now the world must act on its message | George Monbiot

The documentary shows the damage that fishing does to our planet. So why does the industry still hold governments to ransom? asks Guardian columnist George Monbiot

theguardian.com

The #PlanningBill needs far more than cosmetic change to ensure that, instead of harming nature, it delivers nature-positive development. So it's good to see the Minister recognise some top issues: legal certainty & scientific basis for offsite action. Now for amendments please.

Great plan. Please support whole-site bottom trawling bans in Marine Protected Areas in the consultation. There's a long way to go to protect 30% of land & sea for nature by 2030, but it can be done. We'll be reporting on progress in summer. This helps. observer.co.uk/news/oceans/...

Good to see LGA consult on new statutory environmental duties. Please respond in support of adding duties in the #PlanningBill to drive councils' contribution to Climate Change Act and Environment Act targets. Plus the resources to help them do it. www.local.gov.uk/about/campai...

A #PlanningBill that simplifies sustainable development *and* helps restore nature is a prize worth fighting for. And it's still within reach. We hope Government & Parliamentarians fix the weaknesses and make the Environmental Delivery Plan idea something we can all support.

Wildlife and Countryside Link@wclnews.bsky.social · last yr.

Without big changes, the Government’s Planning Bill could spell disaster for nature 🥀 The Gov has promised a win-win for building & nature, but right now the Bill doesn't deliver🏡 @richardbenwell.bsky.social explains what the Gov needs to do to make the Bill work for people and nature 👇

🧵Planning reform that speeds up sustainable development *and* restores nature is worth fighting for. The #PlanningBill is currently one sided, weakening nature laws with scant benefit for biodiversity. But Ministers could get back on track for a win-win. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Planning bill ‘throws environmental protection to the wind’, say UK nature chiefs

Heads of 32 charities warn proposals could push species towards extinction and lead to irreversible habitat loss

theguardian.com

Very good consultation from @DefraGovUK, proposing to extend the burning ban on peatland. The proposal is to increase the designated area to cover Less Favoured Areas (currently just SSSIs that are also SACs/SPAs) & protect shallower peat. Please support! www.gov.uk/government/n...

New proposals to ban heather burning on peatland to protect air, water and wildlife

Extension to ban of burning on deep peat proposed by Government, so that an extra 146,000 hectares are protected

gov.uk

Looking at the @mcsuk.bsky.social State of our Beaches report, this graph shows the great results of the plastic bag levy. Wouldn't it be great if the Spending Review were to introduce more #polluterpays approaches, especially for corporate polluters, with funds directed to restore nature?

Over 50 nature & farming groups have written to Rachel Reeves: without investment in nature-friendly farming, any hopes of sustainable food production, climate change mitigation, nature recovery & a resilient economy will be lost. www.express.co.uk/news/politic...

Rachel Reeves risks 'hammer blow' to food security and nature

Nature could be in the firing line as Chancellor Rachel Reeves gives her spring statement in the Commons on Wednesday.

express.co.uk

Here's our #PlanningBill Second Reading briefing to go with the blog: wcl.org.uk/docs/Plannin... We hope Parliamentarians and Government will work across parties to take this chance to make planning work for nature.

Richard Benwell@richardbenwell.bsky.social · last yr.

New #PlanningBill blog: wcl.org.uk/planning-ref... The bill currently poses unacceptable risks to environmental law. But Environment & Housing Ministers say they want win-wins for nature & development. Their ideas could be made to work for nature. That's a prize worth fighting for.

Last Parliament set targets. This Parliament is for delivery. Restoring nature needs major landowners to play a part. We proposed a Public Nature Estate, inspired by @guyshrubsole, @MarkAvery & more. @SteveReedMP has taken the 1st steps to make it real. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Defra asks England’s biggest landowners to come up with plans to restore nature

Exclusive: Representatives of king, National Trust and others called on to work together to protect environment

theguardian.com

BREAKING: DEFRA asks England’s biggest landowners to come up with plans to restore nature. The new National Estate for Nature is a bold move by Labour, summoning landowners who own a tenth of the country to report on their stewardship. With comment from me: www.theguardian.com/environment/...

New #PlanningBill blog: wcl.org.uk/planning-ref... The bill currently poses unacceptable risks to environmental law. But Environment & Housing Ministers say they want win-wins for nature & development. Their ideas could be made to work for nature. That's a prize worth fighting for.

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill: what are the risks and opportunities?

As we approach second reading of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, nature groups are concerned about the

wcl.org.uk

Too often, environmental targets are announced with a shout, but die with a whimper. We welcome OEP's investigation, which will help uncover why action to clean up rivers was left until too late. Government's answer must be rapid public & private investment, enforcement & water system reform.

As talks on divisive deep sea mining resume, governments need to stand firm against the unacceptable pressure by an industry that risks wreaking irreparable damage on our ocean and exacerbating the planetary crisis www.france24.com/en/live-news...

Talks on divisive deep-sea mining resume in Jamaica

Several countries united with campaign groups Monday to call for caution in regulating the divisive practice of deep-sea mining at a meeting on the issue in Jamaica.

france24.com

Once again, over half of UK fisheries catch limits agreed for 2025 are above scientific advice. Just 36% were in line with a precautionary approach. Overfishing is bad for wildlife & self-defeating for the economy. Time to reduce & police catch limits and let the ocean recover.

The #ClimateChange Act and the #NetZero targets that followed must surely be among the UK's greatest contributions to international relations, future generations, and technological & environmental progress. Giving up now would be a tragedy. It would diminish us.

Leaky dams, ponds & tree planting are just some of the natural measures to curb flooding🌳 A new report from @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social has shown that for every £1 spent on these, there would be economic benefits of £10🪙 More investment is a no-brainer👇 www.independent.co.uk/climate-chan...

Invest in beaver dams, ponds and wild driveways to curb flooding, report urges

Natural flood measures can deliver £10 in benefits over 30 years for every £1 invested, a study says.

independent.co.uk

Sir Keir has misrepresented the impact of conservation on housing in Ebbsfleet. The majority of the homes are going ahead. The distinguished jumping spider isn’t even in the development area, but it is a precious habitat. Let's move beyond nature vs. growth - sustainable development benefits us all.

But all hope of a win-win for nature & development will be dashed if the Prime Minister keeps repeating nature vs economy misrepresentation. It's undermining his own Government's more considered work. First newts, then bats, now jumping spiders are *wrongly* blamed for delays in development.

Richard Benwell@richardbenwell.bsky.social · last yr.

Nature recovery & development can go hand-in-hand and Ministers have taken strides toward that approach. But the #PlanningBill must do much more to live up to the promise. Here are some of the major amendments we'll be proposing. We hope Government will accept them.🧵1/12

Nature recovery & development can go hand-in-hand and Ministers have taken strides toward that approach. But the #PlanningBill must do much more to live up to the promise. Here are some of the major amendments we'll be proposing. We hope Government will accept them.🧵1/12

🦇 A new episode of our podcast BatChat is now out! In this noisy episode, we’re taking you to the heart of the Restore Nature Now march in London, where 60,000+ passionate individuals gathered on 22 June 2024, to demand stronger action for nature. Listen here: batchat.buzzsprout.com/680561/episo...

Government's answer to growing demand for nature-friendly farming should be to increase the budget, not to cut off contracts. SFI can be improved, but the Chancellor should use the Spending Review to invest in green farming practices as a vital foundation of sustainable growth.

Martin Lines@linesmartin.bsky.social · last yr.

Joined @farmersweeklyuk.bsky.social emergency podcast to discuss Defra’s sudden SFI closure. Many farmers blocked by complexity, slow RPA processes, waiting months, now shut out overnight. We need an interim solution now and a clear, workable long-term plan. 👇 www.fwi.co.uk/farmers-week...

🧵Previous attempts to speed up environment planning rules were deregulatory: ripping up rules defending rivers from pollution, habitat from destruction, wildlife from extinction. The #PlanningBill sets a new tone aiming for nature recovery & development. publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbi...

Principles like #polluterpays & the #precautionaryprinciple give a crucial perspective on how environmental enhancement must be integrated in policy-making across Govt. We support the OEP's recommendations for strengthening implementation of the #EnvironmentAct legal duty. bit.ly/3QzNabs

Please share your views! A chance to reshape corporate governance in the public interest; to drag regulation up-to-date with nature & health targets; and make catchment plans deliver with #polluterpays & incentives across sectors consult.defra.gov.uk/independent-... www.gov.uk/government/n...

It's out! The CCC recommends an 87% reduction in emissions by 2040 (compared to 1990 levels). Super interesting section on demand management! And an important recognition that action must ramp up quickly "on transport, buildings, industry and farming." www.theccc.org.uk/2025/02/26/e...

​​End the fossil fuel age for a secure and prosperous future.​  - Climate Change Committee

Today the country’s climate advisors, the Climate Change Committee (CCC), present a new pathway to a decarbonised UK.…

theccc.org.uk

Overseas Development Assistance is an amazing way to help reduce poverty, climate change & nature loss. Programmes like the Darwin Initiative restore ecosystems for people & nature. They make the world safer. Today's huge cut in ODA to fund defence puts all that at risk.

Positive to see Defra reward ongoing environmental action from wildlife-friendly farmers today. Now, quick work is needed to multiply higher tier stewardship agreements - frozen for too long - dedicating more budget to drive this cutting edge of wildlife-friendly farming.

New data shows all bad news for England's priority wildlife habitats. ❌big drop in monitoring: Natural England needs funds to keep up ❌fall in favourable management in & outside SSSIs ❌fall in SSSIs in good condition: better incentives & enforcement urgent. 🧵1/3