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.
The natural environment Public Service Agreement (PSA)states the government’s vision for the natural environment is 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 Ecosystems Approach offers a strategic approach to policy-making and delivery on the natural environment through which this vision can be developed. It focuses on maintaining healthy ecosystems and ecosystem services through the development of inclusive, cross-sectoral policy and decision-making at appropriate spatial and temporal scales, where environmental limits are respected, and proper account is taken of the value of environmental systems for the well-being of people.
In this section:
- What is the Natural Environment PSA?
Learn more about the Natural Environment PSA, what it is, how it is measured, why we need it. - What is the ecosystems approach?
Discover what the term ecosystems approach means and its importance in relation to the PSA. - Ecosystems approach Action Plan
The action plan identifies a number of clear priority areas for action that will be fundamental to our success and to securing wider engagement at the national, regional and local levels. - Research Programme
Find out what evidence based research has been carried out relevant to an ecosystems approach and its practical application. - Related initiatives and publications
Learn about related initiatives and publications.
Page last modified: 23 October 2008
Page published: 23 October 2008