Natural Environment Policy
The natural environment is a precious resource. It provides not only the essentials of life – air, water, food and fuel – but underpins our health, wellbeing and prosperity. By protecting and enhancing the natural environment, we can also significantly improve our quality of life.
For the first time, the new natural environment Public Service Agreement (PSA) sets out the Government's clear vision for the natural environment:
'To secure a diverse, healthy and resilient natural environment, which provides the basis for everyone's well-being, health and prosperity now and in the future; and where the value of the services provided by the natural environment are reflected in decision-making:
- The air that we breathe free from harmful levels of pollutants
- Sustainable water use which balances water quality, environment, supply and demand
- Land and soils managed sustainably
- Biodiversity valued, safeguarded and enhanced
- Sustainable, living landscapes with best features conserved
- Clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas
- People to enjoy, understand and care for the natural environment.'
Over the years, we have made significant progress in tackling environmental pollution and degradation in this country but there are still many pressures on the natural environment, and the challenges we face are becoming more complex. Many of our most acute environmental problems are now caused by diffuse pollution and the cumulative impacts of development, and these problems are exacerbated by climate change.
In the past, the policy framework for dealing with these issues has been complex and fragmented, which has made it difficult to tackle them in the most efficient way and to reconcile conflicting priorities. The Ecosystems approach action plan forms the basis for a more strategic approach to policy-making and delivery on the natural environment, reflecting the latest thinking among scientists and policy-makers, both domestically and internationally.
This draws on the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment the assessment of ecosystems across the world- acknowledging its role in providing an evidence base for policy making and a new conceptual framework for decision making across sectors.
Contact details
The Natural Environment Strategic Unit leads on this work within Defra
Postal |
Defra |
Page last modified: 11 December 2007
Page published:
11 October, 2005