A joint letter has been sent by the Environmental Policy Forum which consists of multiple organisations including the Landscape Institute, to Government discussing the ten environmental priorities for policy makers to address and how it will deliver benefits.
The letter, sent to Housing Secretary Steve Reed, points out that the he EPF is now a coalition of 15 professional bodies and learned societies. Collectively we now represent over 160,000
qualified members, including business leaders and qualified public and private professionals across a wide range of different specialised disciplines.
It has delivered cross-sector consensus on the ten environmental priorities which policymakers must urgently address. These priorities are based on the challenges experienced by practitioners working across disciplines, and the numerous opportunities that exist to address these barriers and achieve economic growth. Each priority contains specific asks for policymakers, which should be achieved through support from business.
The letter states: “The UK has an opportunity to unlock the huge economic potential of thegreen transition, supporting good jobs across all regions, spurring investment and building sustainable and resilient growth.
“The responsible management and stewardship of our environment and resources, including through decarbonisation and greater circularity, underpins the government’s economic ambitions. Natural resources and their processed by-products form the basis of virtually all economic activity, while innovation for sustainability presents a major growth opportunity across sectors. As representatives of professionals and businesses spanning the full breadth of the economy, EPF can offer trusted advice on supporting green growth.
“Since the Government came to office last year, we have welcomed developments which aim to
deliver on these priorities, including the Government’s investment in sustainable farming and nature recovery, and progressing with the development of a Review of the Water Sector, a Land Use Framework and Circular Economy Strategy. However, there remains much more to be done to capture the economic potential of the green transition and there are many unrealised opportunities.
“Most central of all, there is an unlocked potential for a joined-up, evidence-based approach to policymaking. As outlined by our ten priorities, it is clear there have previously been distinct but interconnected areas of environmental policy existing in silos within Government, resulting in perpetual conflict between policies to no benefit to the stated environmental objective. In addition, the effects of policy uncertainty have contributed to an often confusing and unstable environment for investors.
“Not only will an evidence-based approach increase the probability of the policy meeting its objectives, but there are also clear socio-economic and health benefits to implementing the
solutions outlined in our ten priorities, such as jobs creation, increased investment, industrial development, improved air, land and water quality and reduced food waste. Taking a holistic
approach means we can navigate trade-offs, for example across different land uses, and are able to deliver economic growth and housing infrastructure without causing environmental degradation.
“Although we welcome signs that Government is more willing to engage on part 3 of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, we remain concerned by the recent rhetoric that nature is a blocker on housebuilding, contrary to the evidence. We’d welcome discussing this with you further, as we think we can help you on this matter.”
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