The Government has committed to working to recover nature with the clear goal for people living today to leave the environment better than we found it! The Environment Act and 25-year Environment Strategy enables this recovery and last week a consultation on the Government’s environmental targets was launched. The commitment is to stop the decline of nature by 2030. The consultation covers what targets are needed in relation to air quality, trees, marine conservation zones, water, biodiversity, and waste reduction. There is also the need to match local development plans with the needs of the natural environment. This is especially the case in Cornwall and on Scilly and I’ve argued that rather than develop several plans such as nature recovery, house building and transport, we create one over-arching ‘land-use’ plan that brings all the potentially competing priorities into one plan. This would give residents a far clearer picture of how their local community will evolve. It would also support greater cooperation between the various agencies that have responsibilities and interests in a geographical area. The challenge is complex, and it is important that we get our response right so that we continue to produce high quality food, meet our carbon neutral targets, mitigate the impact of climate change, and provide access to opportunity wherever people live. Take part in the consultation at https://consult.defra.gov.uk/natural-environment-policy/consultation-on-environmental-targets/
If you fancy a bit of the natural environment this weekend you are welcome to join me on an informal dog walk on the beach setting off from Wharfside Car Park close to the sailing club at 1pm on Saturday. We are walking to raise awareness and funds for brain tumour research and support for families that live with this horrible diagnosis. You can donate on the walk! Another opportunity to enjoy a bit of nature (and peek at an area usually out of bounds) is the open gardens at Pengelly Retreat in Drym near Leedstown taking place on Saturday 9th April. Email [email protected] for more details and to book a slot. The charge per person goes to British Red Cross to support their work with refugees along the border of Ukraine.
Cornwall has once again done itself proud by offering more Homes for Ukraine than any other part of the country. It comes as no surprise to me. We always feature well when it comes to caring for and looking out for people who need our help. Thank you. Government can be confident that, when Ukrainian refugees arrive, we will offer them the welcome, support, and integration they need. It is difficult to see what more we can do as the horrors increase in Ukraine and we witness the most brutal and inhuman violence inflicted on civilians by Putin’s forces.
And finally, don’t forget the opportunity to meet virtually with COP26 President Alok Sharma on Thursday at 5pm as he shares how the COP26 countries are following through with the commitments they made in November and what work he is doing to make these commitments a reality!
