UK Government commits to ‘nature-positive’ future following landmark biodiversity review
Following the publication of the landmark Dasgupta Review, which argued the case for biodiversity considerations to be embedded in all economic decisions by the government, a new commitment for all large infrastructure projects to be ‘nature-positive’ has been made. The UK’s 2019 ‘State of Nature’ report revealed that most UK species have declined since the 1970s, with 15% now facing extinction. The commitment has been announced by the Treasury today (14 June) in its formal written response to the Dasgupta Review on valuing biodiversity. Published in February, the finished Review provides guidance on how policymakers can account for the economic, social and environmental value of nature when making decisions. Commentators have dubbed the piece of work the nature-related equivalent to the Stern Review on climate change. In its response to the Review, the UK government reiterates a commitment to improve nature. The nation is currently well off-track to deliver on a flagship pledge to leave nature better for the next generation.