Select committee: Science and Technology Committee
Recommendation 24
2nd Report - Nature-based solutions: rhetoric or reality? - The potential contribution of nature-based solutions to net zero in the UK
Published 27 Jan 2022
Paragraph 111
Science and Technology Committee Nature-based solutions for climate change All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Recommendation (the committee's words)
We recommend that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs provides urgent clarity about the nature of Environmental Land Management schemes and which activities they will subsidise. Funding should be assured in return for a long-term commitment to good practice. The new schemes that are introduced should be based on proper and transparent evidence. They must have defined metrics to evaluate success or failure so that they can be adapted to evolving evidence. It must be clear how these schemes will interact with wider agricultural and environmental policies.
From: Science and Technology Committee, 2nd Report - Nature-based solutions: rhetoric or reality? - The potential contribution of nature-based solutions to net zero in the UK, paragraph 111, 27 January 2022
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 21 April 2022 (deadline 27 March 2022).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The government welcomes the Committee's report and sets out action on its recommendations, accepting some points (including blue carbon research and a precautionary approach) while saying the need for a land use strategy "will be kept under review".
- On marine research, it says "We accept the importance of the recommended areas of research" and "We accept there is more evidence to be gathered", pointing to the planned UK Blue Carbon Evidence Partnership.
- On a precautionary approach where evidence is lacking, it "accept[s] and agree[s]" it is appropriate, but would not "automatically see gaps in data as a barrier".
- On a land use strategy, it does not commit to one, saying the approach and "the need for a land use strategy" will be kept under review as spatial analysis progresses this year.
- On private finance, it agrees buyers and sellers should be able to aggregate projects and combine revenue streams, subject to scheme rules, and plans to develop a standards framework "later this year".