Based on a traffic light system, the Government is on red alerts for its failure on taking forward the findings of the Pitt Review to improve flood defences and prevent unnecessary building in areas of high flood risk, and to take forward the Marine and Coastal Access Act and ensure that its conservation measures are implemented effectively.
The Government is on an amber warning for its delay in publishing a White Paper and legislate for reform of the water industry to ensure more efficient use of water, protect poorer households, enhance competition and improve conservation. Due in June this year, the Water White Paper has been delayed until December.
Earlier this week Environment Minister Richard Beynon said that anything that might spook investors would be vetoed from the White Paper.
The study highlights some of the most controversial environmental issues of the year – including the proposed reform of the planning system, a planned cull of badgers and the public debate on the future of UK forestry.
The Nature Check report, published by the umbrella body Wildlife and Countryside Link, assesses the Government’s progress on the 16 commitments it has made to the natural environment using a traffic light rating system.
The report says that just two of the promises have been fully met, and have been given a green seal of approval. Seven have received an amber rating, meaning not enough progress has been made, and a further seven have been given the red card by environmental experts.
The report shows the Government’s commitments to wildlife overseas are being met – with green lights given for new legislation opposing ivory sales and commercial whaling. However, the report says it is on the domestic issues that ministers are falling down on most, with a new proposed planning system placing economic needs above environmental ones, confusion over the future of nationally owned forests, and a badly thought through plan for tackling bovine TB
Neil Sinden, Policy and Campaigns Director for the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said:
“The Government aspires to be the greenest government ever, but it will not achieve this admirable ambition with a 'business as usual' approach to economic growth.
“The state of the economy is, of course, a major preoccupation for everyone, but there need be no conflict between growth and greenery. As the National Ecosystem Assessment demonstrated, a healthy natural environment is not only valuable for its own sake, it has great economic value. Strong environmental policies can underpin strong economic performance.
"At present the Government is falling well short of its aspirations. Planning reform gives it an early opportunity for improvement. It should introduce a radically revised National Planning Policy Framework with strong safeguards for nature and the landscape."
Martin Harper, RSPB Conservation Director, said the report should be a wake-up call to David Cameron and the Coalition Government.
Click here to read the report in full.