English biodiversity loss ‘severe’
Biodiversity loss in England remains severe despite government conservation attempts, an environmental audit committee report said today.
Serious loss of biodiversity and a rise in local extinctions continue in England and the UK’s overseas territories, harming both the environment and the economy, the report concludes.
“The continued deterioration of the natural environment has clear economic implications as it directly underpins many things that we take for granted such as pollination, flood protection and clean air”, said committee chairman Tim Yeo.
The committee praised the government for its establishment of adequately protected areas, but insists an ‘ecosystems approach’ is also necessary.
“It is no longer enough to rely on protected areas to preserve nature,” Mr Yeo said.
The government is already expected to miss an international target to halt biodiversity loss by 2010.
The committee’s approach would promote sustainable management of the landscape by making sure government policies with an impact on biodiversity – either direct or indirect – do not undermine its protection.
“Policies such as biofuels, house building and planning are in danger of accelerating rather than halting biodiversity loss,” Mr Yeo added.
The committee recommended coordinating efforts between all relevant government departments to guarantee its biodiversity growth targets for 2020.
