Wildlife charities’ top 10 issues for nature’s recovery in 2023 - Northumberland Wildlife Trust

The list is long. but there's a lot to be done this year to protect nature.

Northumberland Wildlife Trusts, in partnership with the 45 other UK wildlife trusts, has produced an urgent environmental to-do list for the UK Government in 2023 - issued at a time when action to restore the natural world is more urgent than ever.

Mike Pratt, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Chief Executive says: “There’s a lot on the list, but there’s a lot to do. In 2022, the UK witnessed first-hand the impacts of a warming world on nature, with devastating wildfires and extended periods of drought putting nature under increasing pressure. Research also revealed that global wildlife populations have seen a catastrophic 69% drop on average since 1970. Last year saw the Government commit to a range of new environment targets but, with less than seven years to halt nature’s decline by 2030, the Government’s New Year’s resolution must be to end their culture of delay and get cracking with their long ‘to-do’ list from last year.”

It is not just nature that will benefit. Health gets a boost too, through cleaner air and water, and communities enjoying access to natural green space.

In 2023, The Wildlife Trusts are calling on the Government to ensure that nature is able to recover by:

1. Scrapping the Retained EU Law Bill
2. Ensuring new farm schemes (ELMs) reward farmers for benefits to society
3. Setting a clear plan to protect at least 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030.
4. Publishing a proper set of government policies to address climate change
5. Taking urgent action on river pollution to protect wildlife and clean up England’s waterways and tackling agricultural pollution
6. Reviewing planning reform so that it sets clear and strong rules to protect nature
7. Designating Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs)
8. Setting a presumption against development of offshore wind farms in designated sites
9. Banning the import, sale and extraction of peat products by the end of 2023. 
10. Recognising the vital role that nature plays in our health and education by renewing commitments and outlining progress towards the introduction of a Natural History GCSE

Click through for more detail.

More on:

• The Wildlife Trusts
• Northumberland Wildlife Trust
• government policy

Posted On: 13/01/2023