Let’s make 30% of land for nature a reality

THIS week the Prime Minister com- mitted to protect 30 per cent of the UK for biodiversity by 2030.

This is exactly the sort of bold and ambitious commitment that we need political leaders to make, and we should all welcome it.

Numbers can be misleading though, so it’s really important to be absolutely clear what this means. Just over one quarter of England is already designated in some form.

In Devon alone we have two National Parks and five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. But these are landscape designations, and wildlife is no safer or more plentiful here than anywhere else. The area that is actually designated for wildlife protection is closer to 15 per cent, and the figure is lower than that in many other counties.

And just because it’s designated doesn’t mean it’s always protected in the real sense of the word – we continue to lose good wildlife habitat to built development and agricultural conversion every year, and many of our most important habitats are in a very poor state – less than a fifth of the internationally important peat bogs on Dartmoor are in favourable condition.

If we’re serious about the 30 per cent, we need to do three things. Firstly, there should be no more destruction or damage to existing habitat. We don’t tolerate breaches of health and safety, so why should we tolerate damage to the planet that sustains us?

Secondly we need to take a long hard look at how we treat much of the habitat that is legally “protected” but not worthy of the label wildliferich. Far too often we are failing to enforce regulations or allowing other interests to take precedence over nature.

And finally, we need to double the area of good quality habitat, so that people living in every parish, town and city can access it and enjoy the benefits that many of us, but sadly far from all of us, currently gain from doing so.

That’s a pretty big task, but it’s perfectly achievable if we have the courage and political will.

And if we can make this happen, it won’t just be wildlife that benefits. The climate will benefit, our economy will benefit, and everyone one of us will benefit too. And that’s why Devon Wildlife Trust will be doing everything it can to hold the government to its promise.

These dark and difficult times are when it’s most important to be visionary and make lasting changes that future generations will be thankful for. So let’s be brave. Let’s tackle this head-on and not be tempted to cut corners. Let’s make 30 per cent for nature by 2030 a reality.