This post is by Emma Howard Boyd, chair of the Environment Agency and Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England.
The prime minister was right to strike a note of optimism in his first speech to the country.
Environmental questions can seem relentlessly gloomy, with measures to cut pollution and recover the environment appearing like unaffordable sacrifices that get in the way of the real challenges. Read more
This post is by Andrew Pakes, research director at Prospect.
Prospect’s new report on Natural England, supported by some welcome media attention last week, has really touched a nerve about the state of England’s conservation body. Despite rhetoric from government about its 25 year environment plan, it is clear that nature conservation and environmental stewardship is creaking at the seams.
The conversation that is too often missing in this debate is one of resources. If politics is about choices, then public investment is the demonstration of intent. Read more
This post is by Andrew Sells, the outgoing chair of Natural England.
Natural England is an organisation that some thought – at various stages – was as endangered as some of the species we strive to protect. But as it prepares for life after the UK’s departure from the European Union, it has never been more important.
With my time at the helm now drawing to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on five years as chair of Natural England and the future for conservation. Read more
