Grasslands: Environment Protection

(asked on 4th January 2022) - View Source

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the impact of (a) agreements reached and (b) funding commitments made at COP26 on the future of grasslands (i) in the UK and (ii) internationally.


Answered by
Jo Churchill Portrait
Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
This question was answered on 13th January 2022

Significant global progress was made at UNFCCC COP26 this year. As presidents of COP26, the UK amplified the critical role of nature and secured agreement of the importance of its protection, conservation and restoration. We actively promoted Nature Based Solutions, which include grasslands, to tackle both climate change and biodiversity loss.

The UK is advocating for the protection of at least 30% of land and ocean globally by 2030. Effective protection, management, and restoration of wildlife rich habitats will be vital for securing nature's recovery. At COP26, we welcomed the support of 11 new countries for this vital 30by30 target, bringing the total to over 100 countries.

The environment is a devolved matter. However, I can advise that in England, our Environment Act requires a new legally binding target to halt the decline in species abundance by 2030. A domestic 2030 species target will not only benefit wildlife species but the actions necessary to deliver it will help drive wider environmental improvements, including to grasslands.

We also recognise the value of our own grasslands. England’s Sites of Special Scientific Interest protect our most important grasslands, which will form an important part of progress towards our domestic 30by30 commitment. We are investing in nature restoration and in nature-based solutions to support grassland creation and restoration, for example, through over £750 million investment in the Nature for Climate Fund and £80 million Green Recovery Challenge Funds.

We are also introducing three new environmental land management schemes - the Sustainable Farming Incentive, Local Nature Recovery and Landscape Recovery. These schemes will reward the delivery of environmental benefits including creation and preservation of grassland.

We will maintain strong UK leadership on nature and climate over our COP26 Presidency year to ensure promises are kept, working closely with partners to advance rapid progress.

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