Select committee: Science and Technology Committee
Conclusion 44
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 166
Science and Technology Committee Nature-based solutions for climate change All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Conclusion (the committee's words)
The Government’s plans are ambitious and have much potential, but there is a clear and present danger that they will not be achieved. There are multiple risks of failure, including a lack of certainty about the science of carbon sequestration in nature-based solutions, a lack of skills and engagement, and a lack of policy coordination, which require urgent actions to address. Failure to deliver risks the livelihoods of farmers, damaging the agricultural sector, undermining the net zero agenda, and risks undermining the UK’s biodiversity-recovery.
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 166, 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".