Guardian ‘ Conservation watchdog given boost after decade of funding cuts that left it at ‘crisis point’ Natural England, the government’s conservation watchdog, is to receive a 47% increase in government funding this year as its role expands to support a “green recovery” and provide environmental scrutiny of the government’s controversial “Project Speed”. The dramatic […]

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New major study shows importance of nature in hitting net zero Natural England study reviews carbon storage impact from England’s habitats, including native woodlands, saltmarshes, grasslands, heathlands and peatlands. Researchers from Natural England have developed a picture of the impact that different UK habitats can have in taking carbon out of the atmosphere and helping […]

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Defra ‘The new £10 million Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund has been launched. This fund will provide grants of up to £100,000 to environmental groups, local authorities, businesses and other organisations to help them develop nature projects in England which both provide environmental benefits and attract private investment. One example would be new woodland creation which […]

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Water sector partnership sets natural capital approach principles for future investment decisions The Water Industry Forum, working with Water UK’s Environment Policy Advisory Group members, through Welsh Water and supported by Atkins, has produced a set of principles to guide the water sector on the use and application of Natural Capital type approaches in investment decision […]

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DNA – based methods offer a significant opportunity to change how we monitor and assess biodiversity. These techniques may provide cheaper alternatives to existing species monitoring or an ability to detect species that we cannot currently detect reliably. However, for most species, there is still much development required before they can be used in routine monitoring. […]

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Defra Biggest ever nationwide initiative to restore nature in England set for launch England-wide action for nature: Natural England brings government, conservationists, businesses, farmers and landowners together to drive forward the delivery of an England-wide network for nature. In the first of its kind, an England-wide initiative was launched today (5 November) and will recover […]

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Natural Capital Committee – press release ‘Expert Committee calls on Government to halt declines in England’s environment  New framework developed by expert committee reveals serious decline across England’s natural environment. Government must act urgently to ensure future generations have access to the multiple benefits that natural assets provide. The British public can play vital role […]

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