Monday 30 December 2019

Environmental leaders warn 2020 is last chance to take ‘decisive’ action on climate change

Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England and Emma Howard Boyd, chair of the Environment Agency, are jointly warning that 2020 is the last chance to bring the world together ‘to take decisive action on climate change, to protect our communities and reverse the alarming loss of wildlife we have witnessed in recent years.’

In a blog for the Green Alliance website the two called for bold leadership from world leaders at global events this year, including the UN General Assembly in September, the global biodiversity summit in China in October and the climate summit in Glasgow next November.

The two Chairs are concerned that global efforts are faltering. Noting that, “Earlier this month the United Nation’s climate talks in Madrid failed to reach the agreement needed to avoid dangerous warming of our planet, signalling once more the urgent need for effective leadership.”

Juniper and Howard Boyd says there is an opportunity in 2020 to raise the tempo of action in the UK through a new Environment Bill. It is expected to include provisions for a national Nature Recovery Network. ‘We have plans for large scale woodland regeneration which will catch carbon, improve wildlife habitat, clean up rivers and reduce flood risk. The commitment to a new £640 million ‘Nature for Climate Fund’ in the government’s election manifesto is one mechanism that might help to place such an integrated national response within our grasp.’

Howard Boyd and Juniper say these ‘positive’ steps will help the UK make progress toward the 2050 net zero climate change policy. However, they warn, ‘our new ambition is only as good as its delivery.’

Adding that, “In addition to laws, policies and initiatives, it will be vital to make substantial financial investments into environmental recovery. This includes adequately resourced public bodies with the capability to undertake complex and sometimes controversial work on the ground.’