Why is the General Election important to Wales' nature?

Fersiwn Gymraeg ar gael yma

We are in a nature and climate crisis. With 663 species – 1 in 6 – threatened with extinction from Wales, and the continuing trend of less nature in fewer places as shown by the State of Nature 2023 report, we desperately need to increase action for nature.  

While the Senedd takes the lead on most environmental policies, Wales’ MPs can still help.   

RSPB Cymru, of course, remains politically neutral. What matters is action for nature. Here we outline what Wales’ MPs can do to protect and restore our natural world. And if you share our desire to see our Westminster decision-makers deliver for nature, you might wish to use this to ask questions of prospective parliamentary candidates for Welsh seats.  

Agriculture funding must be increased, and do more for nature

Every year, the UK Government distributes £3.5bn in agriculture funding, with 9% (or approximately £314 million) going to Wales, reflecting historic spending patterns. However, this funding is only guaranteed until the General Election and it will be the decision of the next UK Government to determine the size of the future UK agricultural funding budget.  

We believe the overall UK agriculture budget should be increased to enable farming to respond effectively to the nature and climate emergency as well as producing food sustainably. How any total UK farming budget is divided between the four home nations should also be reviewed to reflect the level of funding required to meet this challenge in each country.  Research has shown that the Welsh Government needs at least £500 million a year, and probably more, to deliver a Sustainable Farming Scheme to enable farming to transition to a sustainable future that is good for farmers, nature, climate and society.

Renewable energy must be ‘nature positive’ 

The end of oil and gas exploration and the ramp up of renewable energy are essential to a liveable planet, but this shift cannot come at the expense of nature.  Developments continue to be proposed in locations that pose high risk to already under-pressure bird species, and other wildlife. In a nature and climate emergency, we need to develop renewable energy at sea and on land in harmony with nature. 

As part of the support mechanism for renewables, a guaranteed minimum price should only be available if developers commit to nature positive developments, i.e. not just minimising their negative impacts but helping restore biodiversity. As well as no new oil and gas, we would encourage any development of hydrogen to be green, i.e. from renewables.   

Both public spending and private finance will be vital to addressing the nature and climate crisis  

Significantly more money is needed to flow into nature protection and restoration now to meet the monumental challenge of reversing the nature crisis. The next UK Government should increase the overall level of public investment in nature and ensure that it flows to all parts of the UK. Given the scale and urgency responsible private investment in nature protection and restoration will also be required. This must be undertaken in the context of an effective regulatory environment and ensure high standards and best practice.

Review the Internal Markets Act  

We are concerned that environmental policies which enjoy broad support in one country of the UK can be  undermined by this Act. For example, there is a risk that the Act will be used to undermine Wales’ ambitions for a Deposit Return Scheme.

Welsh MPs could press for reform of how the Act works in practice, ensuring it encourages UK countries to continually improve environmental standards and to ‘compete’ with each other in a race to the top rather than discouraging individual countries from moving ahead.

Show Global Leadership

The next UK Government will represent all four home nations on the international stage. It must drive ambitious global action for biodiversity, climate and environmental sustainability at this critical time. The RSPB is proud to be the UK partner of BirdLife International – the global partnership of national conservation organisations. The next UK Government must lead by example on its domestic agenda and support practical action around the world to secure a nature positive future. 

Take action. Speak up for nature and email the prospective parliamentary candidates in your constituency using the templates in our online action.