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Devastating declines must put nature at the top of all political agendas

Curlew in the Peak District © Ben Hall/2020VISION

Wildlife Trusts Wales gives all politicians five priorities to support nature recovery

Today, leading wildlife organisations, including Wildlife Trust Wales, publish a landmark State of Nature 2023 report. It shows that nature is continuing to decline at an alarming rate across the UK, which is already one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. 

 

The State of Nature Wales 2023 report shows: 

  • 18% (one in six) of our species are at risk of extinction from Wales, including plants and animals such as Fen Orchid, Water Vole and Sand Lizard.  
  • The abundance of land and freshwater species has on average fallen by 20% across Wales since 1994.  
  • Of almost 3,900 species assessed, more than 2% are already extinct in Wales. 

 

People’s concern about nature loss, climate change and degraded wild places is a significant voting issue. Gwent Wildlife Trust are calling on Welsh MP’s of all parties to commit to an ambitious programme of policies to support nature’s recovery across the UK. 

Water vole

Water vole © Terry Whittaker/2020VISION

Read the State of Nature 2023 report

Reports in PDF format

Sefyllfa Byd Natur - Adroddiad Cymru

State of Nature - Wales Report

State of Nature - UK Summary

 

In view of the nature crisis, Wildlife Trusts Wales have identified five priorities for MP’s ahead of the next UK general election: 

 

Bring back the UK’s lost wildlife

The UK Government must work across departments to put nature into recovery by protecting and restoring at least 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030. Beavers should be in every river catchment, a nature recovery network should join up wild places, and damaging fishing practices – such as bottom trawling – must be banned. 

End river pollution

With the UK among the worst countries in Europe for water quality, the UK Government must sufficiently fund all enforcement agencies to do their job. By 2030, nutrient pollution from farming, sewage and development must at least be halved, there must be stronger protections for waterways, and more wetlands should be created to tackle flood and drought. 

Fund wildlife-friendly farming

The destruction of nature and impacts of climate change are the biggest threats to food security in the UK. Farmers must be supported and incentivised to help wildlife recover by creating more space for nature, significantly reducing pollution, and halving harm from pesticides by 2030. The budget for nature-friendly farming should increase to at least £4.4 billion a year, with a corresponding uplift for Welsh farmers.

Enable healthy communities

More than a third of people are unable to access green places near their home. The UK Government must support the creation of more greenspace in neighbourhoods, fund and integrate green prescribing into community-based health services and enable all children to access outdoor learning opportunities.

Tackle the climate emergency by protecting and restoring natural habitats

Nature can make a huge contribution to achieving net-zero targets if habitats are restored because peatlands, woodlands, and other wild places store carbon. Additionally, the UK Government must integrate climate adaptation strategies across all departments, create a nature recovery network to help wildlife adapt to change, protect blue carbon stores from damage, and invest in energy efficiency.

Gemma Bodé, Head of Nature Recovery at Gwent Wildlife Trust, says:

 

"The State of Nature Report paints a bleak picture for our irreplaceable wildlife that continues to disappear before us.

Two thirds of our richest most protected sites are not in favourable condition. This network of sites was created to ensure if all else fails the rare habitats and species present stand a chance of survival.

This is why our continued efforts to ensure the Gwent Levels SSSIs are shielded from inappropriate development is ever more vital for Wales' fragile biodiversity."

 

Rachel Sharp, Director of Wildlife Trusts Wales says:

 

“The latest State of Nature report shows that despite some successes, the alarming ongoing decline of wildlife in Wales has not stopped. It is shocking that extinctions continue, with 1 in 6 species in Wales continuing to be threatened. We know what actions are needed, but the scale and pace of the restoration of the natural world is missing to address the nature crisis. Nature is threatened by poor management, development, pollution and the use of pesticides. With 90% of the land in Wales farmed, farmers have a unique role to play in nature's recovery and must be recognised and enabled to implement further measures for nature through the new sustainable farming scheme that will be introduced by the Welsh Government in 2025. We also need to remember that Wales has more sea than land and is experiencing the same decline from development and the lack of effective management. With a Team Wales approach involving both the public, farming and private sectors, we believe that nature’s recovery can happen, but business as usual is not an option; we need urgent action.”     

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