Second Report - The UK's footprint on global biodiversity

The government has developed a global environmental footprint indicator and published findings, but explicitly states it will not consider setting a global footprint target until a robust evidence base is established to ensure positive results and avoid unintended consequences.

The government states it already considers environmental implications and is exploring ways to strengthen analytical approaches, but explicitly rejects the specific recommendation to devise an indicator due to practicality and cost-effectiveness concerns.

The government details its Net Zero Strategy and the use of the Green Book for environmental impact in spending, but does not commit to developing the specific indicator on overseas environmental impacts of UK consumption or setting a related footprint target.

The government's response focuses on environmental impact assessments within Free Trade Agreements and tackling illegal wildlife trade, rather than addressing the recommendation to encourage behavioural change through financial tools or the Treasury's approach to environmental tax measures.

The government's response details compliance with Greening Government Commitments and annual reporting on sustainable procurement and buying standards, but it does not address the committee's specific point about the ambition of its forthcoming Net Zero Strategy.

The government's response discusses the forthcoming Government Food Strategy and environmental land management schemes, but does not address the recommendation to commit to evaluating all taxation changes against environmental objectives in the Net Zero Strategy.

The government's response outlines broader commitments to green investment, anti-deforestation legislation, and international agreements, but does not address the recommendation for Net Zero or nature stress testing of future fiscal events.

The government's response discusses the importance of financing for nature and the Global Environment Facility's performance, but does not address the specific recommendation to mainstream biodiversity considerations into trade agreements and operations.

The government's response details its commitments and existing overseas development assistance programmes related to nature and biodiversity, but does not address the recommendations for sustainability impact assessments for future trade agreements or widening participation in the Wildlife Financial Taskforce.

The government response is a verbatim repetition of the committee's recommendation, stating that efforts must be stepped up to make overseas biodiversity monitoring a reality, without outlining any specific government action to achieve this.

The government's response focuses on addressing climate change and biodiversity loss through COP26 outcomes and the Leaders' Pledge for Nature, failing to address the committee's specific concerns regarding sustainable government procurement and mandatory reporting obligations.

The government response is incomplete and only reiterates the committee's conclusion, failing to address the substance of the committee's welcome for routine reporting on Government buying standards and sustainable palm oil commitments.

The government acknowledges its commitment to improving sustainable public procurement and notes that its Greening Government Commitments Framework includes a review of sustainable procurement commitments. However, it does not commit to the specific asks regarding a definition of sustainability, reinstating mandatory reporting by end of 2021, or making GBS mandatory for large public bodies with certified forest-risk commodities.

The government recognises the role of a natural capital approach in valuing agricultural products and is funding research projects to better understand natural capital impacts in the agricultural sector.

The government accepts the recommendation, stating it recognizes the role of natural capital in agriculture and is funding research projects to better understand its impacts in the sector, a step towards considering its adoption.

The government response is incomplete and only reiterates the committee's recommendation, failing to address the substance of making it illegal for UK businesses and the finance sector to use commodities linked to deforestation.

The government states it is introducing the Environment Act (2021) to tackle illegal deforestation in UK supply chains and highlights broader international initiatives like the FACT Dialogue and private sector commitments to eliminate investment in agricultural commodity-driven deforestation. However, it does not explicitly commit to making it illegal for the finance sector to use commodities linked to all deforestation or specifically include them in Environment Bill provisions.

The government response merely repeats the committee's conclusion verbatim without providing any specific action, commitment, or further engagement.

The government is looking at options to secure funding for the Blue Belt Programme for the next three years and highlights £10 million per annum available via the Darwin Plus Programme. It will initiate a feasibility study for an environmental research portal, with consultations in January 2022, but the recommendation regarding increased global aerial surveillance was not explicitly addressed.

The government response is incomplete and only reiterates the committee's conclusion, failing to address the detail of how it will nature-proof ODA expenditure or the committee's regret regarding the source of international climate finance.

The government states it already committed to nature-proof ODA and ensures all new bilateral ODA does no harm. It details existing FCDO mandatory environmental assessments, compliance monitoring via project approval, and describes ongoing initiatives like the Darwin Initiative and IWT Challenge Fund.

The government acknowledges the committee's conclusion, reiterating the significance of the CBD COP15 summit and the UK's role in promoting an ambitious Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

The government's response is a direct repetition of the committee's welcome for its leadership in establishing the Global Ocean Alliance and Leaders' Pledge for Nature, and for nature as a key theme for COP26.

The government commits to seeking a global commitment to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030, aims to stop human-induced extinctions, and will negotiate for the inclusion of nature-based solutions in Target 8. However, the response does not explicitly address the recommendation regarding reducing unsustainable consumption patterns from developed countries or launching a consultation on an environmental footprint target.

The government highlights its work on integrating climate change and biodiversity at COP26 and engagement for CBD COP15, including the Leaders' Pledge for Nature, indicating alignment with the broader goal of ambitious nature targets without explicitly committing to establishing a specific 'ratchet' review mechanism for the CBD.

The government acknowledges the conclusion, affirming its commitment to international leadership on biodiversity and climate change, and states it will ensure recommendations are considered in its domestic and international work, especially for CBD COP15.

The government rejects the committee's characterisation of its approach, reiterating that the Environmental Principles Policy Statement will be a powerful tool for mainstreaming concerns. It explains that general taxation and spending are exempt due to existing processes and constitutional implications.

The government reiterates the Prime Minister's 2021 commitment to spend at least £3 billion of International Climate Finance over five years on nature-based climate solutions and states it will continue to develop its approach to implementing CBD commitments.

The government acknowledges the link between climate and biodiversity and placed nature at the heart of COP26, achieving positive outcomes for nature. They detail regular, productive engagement with China on integrating global action, including collaboration on the 'Kunming Declaration' to link COP26 and COP15.

The government confirms it is seeking a commitment to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030, has advocated for this under the G7, and supports ambitious goals for species, review mechanisms, and nature-based solutions. It also details aligned domestic actions like protecting 30% of land and sea.

The government confirms it is actively addressing climate and biodiversity together, engaging regularly and productively with China on integrating global action, and collaborating on initiatives like the Kunming Declaration. They also commit to continuing to encourage China to sign the Leaders’ Pledge for Nature.