First Report - Biodiversity in the UK: bloom or bust?

The government acknowledges the need to address biodiversity loss and references its response to the Dasgupta Review, actions under the Environment Bill including a legally binding 2030 species target, and the forthcoming Nature Strategy for England.

The government acknowledges its commitment to cross-departmental action on targets, stating that the duty to achieve targets rests with central government and that the Office for Environmental Protection will enforce environmental law duties, with further details on Greening Government Commitments to be set out shortly.

The government describes the statutory cycle of monitoring, planning, and reporting under the Environment Bill, including the Outcome Indicator Framework, but does not commit to statutory interim targets or explicitly extending the legally binding scope of the 2030 target as recommended.

The government acknowledges the need for progress measurement through its Outcome Indicator Framework, which is under development with reviews planned at a minimum every five years, and has invested in the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment. However, it does not specifically commit to regular formal reviews feeding into all departmental decision-making or ministerial reporting to Parliament.

The government acknowledges the need for effectively managed protected areas and notes existing initiatives like new designations and funding for landscapes. It has committed to piloting Highly Protected Marine Areas and will publish a Nature Recovery Green Paper later this year.

The government states it is reviewing how to better support environmental objectives, including embedding net zero into policy decisions, improving natural capital estimates, and participating in green budgeting initiatives, but does not commit to addressing the imbalance between conservation funding and harmful subsidies or providing information on the extent of such subsidies.

The government acknowledges its commitment to cross-departmental action on targets and states the OEP's remit will include long-term targets, promising to set out further detail shortly on other government departments' actions.

The government reiterates that the Environment Bill will ensure new developments deliver a minimum 10% Biodiversity Net Gain and commits to continuing to work with stakeholders to ensure the policy is fit for purpose, but does not detail how it will address the identified deficiencies.

The government reiterates that the Environment Bill will ensure new developments enhance biodiversity and deliver measurable 'Biodiversity Net Gain' but does not specifically address the committee's welcome of the policy's extension to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.

The government highlights its investment in nature restoration and nature-based solutions, including the Nature for Climate and Green Recovery Challenge funds, and the Peatland Grant Scheme for restoring peatland, as its contribution to addressing the need for more action in protecting ecosystems.

The government has commissioned the Joint Nature Conservation Committee to develop a global environmental footprint indicator as part of the Outcome Indicators Framework. While this work is ongoing and will inform future thinking, the government has not yet committed to setting an environmental footprint target or launching a consultation on how to model the overseas environmental impact of UK consumption, as recommended.

The government acknowledges the importance of integrating environmental considerations into the fiscal framework, pointing to existing Green Book mandates, ongoing reviews within HM Treasury, and future details in the Net Zero Strategy, while also supporting ONS/OBR work on natural capital and participating in international green budgeting initiatives.

The government acknowledges the importance of nature-related financial disclosures, reiterating its support for the TNFD framework and committing to carefully review its recommendations upon launch by the end of 2023. It also highlights its support for global sustainability disclosure standards.

The government acknowledges the benefits of learning about nature, stating the DfE is exploring a new Natural History GCSE without commitment and highlights efforts to ensure access to outdoor education centers.