UK nature is in trouble. More than 40% of the species which call these wild isles home have declined over the last 50 years and 1 in 7 native species are facing extinction. Despite signing on to an international deal to reverse nature loss by 2030, the UK government has been found to be failing on climate and nature by its own advisory body. the Committee on Climate Change.

Time is running out for nature, without urgent action we are at risk of losing more and more precious habitats and wildlife, with huge implications for meeting our climate commitments and human health and wellbeing.

That’s why a coalition of over 70 nature charities, including A Rocha UK, have launched the Nature 2030 campaign to call for the UK’s political parties to put nature at the heart of their manifestos at the next General Election.

Join our next Campaign Takeaway event to hear more about this timely campaign with our special guest Richard Benwell CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link, the national network of conservation charities which is convening the Nature 2030 campaign.

FAQ

What is Wild Christian? Wild Christian is A Rocha UK’s scheme for families and individuals. It is a growing community of families and individuals exploring the connections between our Christian faith, the natural environment, and how we live. Find out more here.

Who is A Rocha UK? We are a Christian charity working to protect and restore the natural world and committed to equipping Christians and churches in the UK to care for the environment. Find out more about our vision here.

Who is our speaker?

Richard Benwell is Chief Executive of Wildlife & Countryside Link, a coalition of 78 nature charities. He is also Chair of Oxfordshire Local Nature Partnership, a Trustee of UK Youth for Nature, and a director of the Broadway Initiative. Previously, he was Policy Advisor to the Secretary of State at DEFRA, and has worked for RSPB, WWT, the Home Affairs Select Committee and the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee, as well as being a board member for Westmill Solar Cooperative.

What is the Nature 2030 campaign asking for?

- A pay rise for farmers, doubling the support for farmers to make sure that they can deliver nature-friendly farming and nature restoration

- Making polluters pay, ensuring that businesses have nature and climate plans in place and setting new duties to drive private investment in species and habitats recovery.

- Making more space for nature, restoring more protected sites and landscapes by 2030, and creating a Public Nature Estate across England with the support of local and national partners. 

- Creating more green jobs, delivering wide scale habitat restoration and creating green jobs in urban, rural and coastal habitats and in species recovery through a National Nature Service.

- A Right to a Healthy Environment, establishing a human right to clean air and water and access to nature. 

Nature 2030 Campaign Takeaway