Natural England chair calls for new approach to nature

The chair of Natural England has said that a new approach is needed to save nature.

The warning comes as a new report on the state of the natural world is launched.

The State of Natural Capital Report, published by Natural England, will provide a unique insight into the vital role that healthy nature plays in underpinning economic health.

The report gives an assessment of the state of the country's ecosystem assets, including wetlands and forests.

The report highlights the significant place nature has on the balance sheet with changes being felt in the economy now due to nature depletion, and the consequences already being seen in the reduction in access to nature. For example, pollination represents around £500 million of benefits in the agricultural industry with a decline in insect life threatening food supply.

At the same time, a new risk register has been launched which investigates the threats nature faces, and how they could impact on a range of policy areas, such as the push for net zero, climate adaptation, food security, water security and health. It also sets out the actions that need to be taken to address the risks to nature.

Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England, will say: “Nature isn’t different from growth – it’s at the heart of it, you cannot grow the economy if we don’t grow nature. According to recent estimates the current value of the UK’s natural wealth was just over £1.5 trillion.

“Nature is our national wealth service: our natural assets provide a steady stream of essential goods and benefits on which our economy and our population rely.

“It gives us life’s essentials of fresh water, air and food, it provides places to relax, resources to build with and mitigation of our impact on the planet.”