Second Report - The UK's footprint on global biodiversity
Select Committee
Environmental Audit Committee
HC 674
30 September 2021
Government response
Fifth Special Report - The UK’s footprint on global biodiversity: Government Response to the Committee’s Second Report · published 1 Feb 2022
Recommendations & Conclusions
6 results
13
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Para 54
To increase sustainability within UK global supply chains, we recommend that: a) in its response...
Recommendation
To increase sustainability within UK global supply chains, we recommend that: a) in its response to this report, the Government should set out a clear and accessible definition of sustainability within the context of the Government Buying Standards; b) the …
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Government Response Summary
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.
14
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 55
A natural capital approach to valuing agricultural products provides another way to increase the sustainability...
Conclusion
A natural capital approach to valuing agricultural products provides another way to increase the sustainability of supply chains.
Government Response Summary
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.
17
Recommendation
Acknowledged
To increase the sustainable use of forest-risk commodities we recommend that the Government make it...
Recommendation
To increase the sustainable use of forest-risk commodities we recommend that the Government make it illegal for UK businesses and the finance sector to use commodities linked to deforestation and, at the very least, include the finance sector within the …
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Government Response Summary
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.
22
Conclusion
Acknowledged
The UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP15 summit presents an opportunity to create a...
Conclusion
The UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP15 summit presents an opportunity to create a transformative Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework that will ‘bend the curve’ of biodiversity loss. The UK has a crucial role to play in promoting a transformative, …
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Government Response Summary
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.
25
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Para 130
The Post-2020 Framework’s goals and targets will be meaningless if not properly implemented.
Recommendation
The Post-2020 Framework’s goals and targets will be meaningless if not properly implemented. The CBD ought to adopt a regular review mechanism, such as that adopted under the Paris Agreement of the UNFCCC, which encourages Parties to ‘ratchet’ the level …
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Government Response Summary
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.
26
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 131
Mainstreaming biodiversity considerations across government departments will be crucial to meeting the Post-2020 Biodiversity Targets.
Conclusion
Mainstreaming biodiversity considerations across government departments will be crucial to meeting the Post-2020 Biodiversity Targets. The UK’s past performance on cross-departmental co-ordination on nature has been disappointing. We have nevertheless been encouraged to observe the willingness of Ministers to work …
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Government Response Summary
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.