A new approach to environment policy was signalled today as Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman called for everyone, from birdwatchers to big business, to shape the government’s Natural Environment White Paper.

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Launching the discussion document at Kew Gardens Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said:

“We want everyone to contribute their views on the natural environment – whether they’re concerned at the plight of the songbirds in their garden, the quality of air in their town, flooding problems worsened by people paving over their gardens or the fate of our wider countryside.”

“We have the opportunity to be the generation that puts a stop to the piecemeal degradation of our natural environment. We want to see a real positive change in the future of our natural environment – one which supports a stronger economy and better quality life. This discussion document will allow everyone to shape the White Paper, in a Big Society approach to policy making so that together we can aim to halt this decline and recognise that nature is our ultimate producer and supplier.”

The economy and the natural environment have historically been pitted against each other as if they were competing choices, rather than being mutually interdependent. Reducing the deficit and ensuring the economic recovery are the government’s top priorities but greater knowledge of the value provided by natural systems and the high costs associated with their degradation means that the economy and the environment cannot be separated.

Notes 

This document aims to encourage debate about how best we protect and enhance our natural environment, and the valuable services we derive from it. We are looking for a wide range of views on all of the issues set out in this document, or any others that you think we have missed. The deadline for responses to this document is 30 October 2010 and details of how to respond can be found via www.defra.gov.uk/environment/natural/

The White Paper is to be published in Spring 2011 and will cover England only.

More information on Defra’s biodiversity work programme can be found on the Defra website via www.defra.gov.uk/environment/natural/