A letter to the Prime Minister

Just in case you were busy looking at wildlife over the Easter weekend, here is the letter that was sent to the Prime Minister regarding the UK Government's environmental commitments.  It received media coverage here, here and here.  This was triggered by newspaper reports based on leaked documents that suggested that trade and growth would be prioritised at the expense of efforts to tackle global warming and the illegal trade in wildlife. 

Dear Prime Minister,

We are alarmed by recent media reports suggesting that the UK's commitments to tackling climate change and ending the illegal wildlife trade could be watered down to secure post-Brexit trade deals.

The UK Government has repeatedly promised to leave the environment in a better state for future generations, and the majority of Conservative voters support maintaining environmental protections.  

We are already seeing the effects of climate change in the UK and globally, especially on the world’s poorest people.  Many countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia are wildlife-rich and among those on the front line of climate change, and want to develop their economies sustainably.  In the UK, the State of Nature report showed that more than half of our wildlife is in decline.  

To be a great, global trading nation, the UK must deliver on its promises for the environment and the climate and honour our international commitments.  In doing so we will help build a greener, better and more prosperous future for everyone, rather than driving an environmental race to the bottom.

Yours sincerely,

Bishop Richard Chartres

Sir Ian Cheshire

John Elkington

Anna Friel

Stanley Johnson

Graeme Le Saux

Alistair McGowan

Deborah Meaden

Andy Murray

Stephen Poliakoff CBE

Simon Reeve

Lord Stuart Rose

Sir Crispin Tickell GCMG KCVO

Andrew Triggs Hodge OBE

Lord Adair Turner

Will Young

Tanya Steele, Chief Executive, WWF

Will Travers OBE, President, Born Free Foundation

Chris Bain, Director, CAFOD

Paul Valentin, International Director, Christian Aid

Oliver Smith, Chief Executive, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation

Craig Bennett, Chief Executive, Friends of the Earth

John Sauven, Executive Director, Greenpeace

Tamsin Cooper, Acting Director, Green Alliance

Penny Lawrence, Deputy Chief Executive, Oxfam GB

Dr Mike Clarke, Chief Executive, RSPB

Stephanie Hilborne OBE, Chief Executive, The Wildlife Trusts