Secretary of State Michael Gove sets out his vision on the future of our natural environment

Safeguarding our future 

RE: This is a remarkable speech by Michael Gove and he has gone out of his way to distance himself from some of his baggage which was remembered in detail when he was appointed. There was never any doubting the intellectual capacity but would it be applied to addressing environmental problems? On the evidence of this speech it may well be. Gone is the corporate speak of Andrea Leadsom and he, unlike his predecessor, ‘green blob’ Paterson, clearly realises that lots of NGO members vote. It is a speech where he sets out his beliefs as well as key ideas as if he were a human being rather than a politician. So I can thoroughly recommend that you read the speech because it may well go down as a landmark. It may create hostages to fortune but signals that people better have well backed arguments to engage him.

Key points include:

• For NGOs arguing for better value for the tax payer from what replaces the Common Agricultural Policy there is the signal that he clearly understands this in the passage on CAP and not rewarding land owners just for being rich enough to own land. He suggests spending on the basis that the “environmental benefits of spending are clear”. This will be music to the ears of those NGOs who have been arguing for a thoughtful approach to that funding.
• On climate change he says, “ …. I deeply regret President Trump’s approach toward the Paris Agreement on climate change … and hope he might be minded to think again”.
• In another section he describes how he values and has been inspired by the environment. He then says, “But while natural beauty moves us deep in our souls, environmental policy needs to be rooted, always and everywhere in science”.
• A big chunk on the CFP and the benefits of the recent reforms ….
• There is the announcement on micro-beads legislation, covered in this CMS News
• The Blue Belt … and overseas territories
• The, loss of biodiversity, the 25 year environment plan, the Clean Growth Plan, and the 2^nd Natioanl Adaptation plan
• And much more …..
• Even the start of the speech recognises the role of the NGO’s ‘It is a great pleasure to be here today in WWF’s magnificent Living Planet Centre, an inspirational example of how buildings can contribute to environmental sustainability. The WWF’s commitment to worldwide conservation, to robust research and to engaging people as well as policy makers in these critical issues is a wonderful example of environmental leadership. I hope that we will continue to work closely together as we forge our future approach to the environment.

Click here to read the speech

Comments on the speech from:

The Guardian

CIWEM

The Whales & Dophin Conservation Society