Natural England has outlined its programme to help the nation
build back greener in the year ahead within its 2021/22 Action
Plan, published today (17 June).
As the nation recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic, the remit and
funding for Natural England has been expanded. This will help us
establish our vision of creating thriving nature for people and
the planet.
Alongside our existing statutory functions, such as improving the
condition of protected sites and making further reform to
wildlife licensing, our increased responsibilities include:
- The Nature for Climate Fund – helping to restore Nature to
tackle climate change by administering the new Nature for Climate
Peatland Grant Scheme
- Parts of the Environment Bill – delivering policies expected
within the Environment Bill, including strategic solutions
through the planning system, developing Local Nature Recovery
Strategies and Biodiversity Net Gain
- The Nature Recovery Network - restoring protected sites,
species and landscape quality and creating new nature rich places
through our Nature Recovery Network Delivery Partnership
- Building Back Greener– enabling truly sustainable development
and introducing more strategic solutions to avoiding and
mitigating environmental harm, as well as to cutting down the
time it takes to develop, design and deliver vital housing
infrastructure projects.
- Farm advice work - supporting the Agricultural Transition,
through an expansion in the Catchment Sensitive Farming Project
and advising on development of the new Environmental Land
Management scheme
- Landscapes – new landscapes designations as part of the
commitment to protect 30% of our land by 2030
- Accessibility – connecting people with nature by investing in
our National Nature Reserves and making them more accessible
Chief Executive of Natural England, Marian Spain, said:
This is an important year for nature as the UK builds back
greener from the Covid-19 pandemic and our Government makes new
pledges for nature in international events such as COP26 and
introduces new targets and measures in domestic legislation. I
am delighted that Natural England will be at the front and
centre with our boosted remit and funding.
We have big ambitions for nature recovery and I look forward to
working with our partners to deliver real progress on the
ground during the year ahead.
The total budget for the year will be £198 million. 90% of this
is grant in aid from Defra, plus £2.5m from other government
departments and the remainder from fees, charges and external
funding. This is equivalent to an overall 47% increase compared
with 2020/21.
The Government’s vision in the 25 Year Environment Plan is for
England to become the healthiest and most beautiful place in the
world in which to live, work and bring up a family. This vision
is embedded within our aims and objectives. Our Action Plan for
2021/22 will contribute to thriving terrestrial and marine
wildlife, achieving net zero through nature-based solutions, such
as peat restoration and tree planting, and increasing the
sustainability of farming and fishing.
Our four strategic programmes within the Action Plan are:
- Resilient Landscapes and Seas – visibly driving the Nature
Recovery Network; strengthening our investment in protected
sites; and commencing an ambitious Landscapes Designations
Programme
- Sustainable Development – strategic planning advice to ensure
nature recovery fulfils its potential to boost climate change
mitigation and economic growth
- Greener Farming and Fisheries – providing advice to maximise
the contribution of future schemes to the Nature Recovery Network
and to Net Zero
- Connecting People with Nature – tackling barriers to nature
to increase accessibility
Read the full Action Plan for more
information.
