My major criticism of Defra's Natural Environment White Paper last summer was that it lacked a convincing funding strategy. Yes, there is new money for Nature Improvement Areas, yes for improving our water bodies and yes there is an intent to make environmental stewardship schemes work harder for farmers and wildlife. All good stuff and genuinely welcome. But the sad reality is that this will be insufficient to reverse the fortunes of threatened wildlife. Remember, government's own figures have suggested the conservation finance shortfall currently stands at £275 million.
Given the state of the economy, it was (and remains) difficult to be too grumpy about the lack of significant new resources. But it is possible to be grumpy that Defra has yet to come up with a plan to show how it can leverage new resources to support nature conservation.
In 2010, we published a report outlining options for non-public finance. I think that it is time to explore these options with a sense of urgency. For example, we said that "businesses and civil society have a key role in addressing the biodiversity challenge. Innovative measures and the creation of partnerships can help to raise funds and deliver better conservation". Where is the plan to excite and engage the business community to support wildlife?
We've been here before, but for whatever reason, we have failed to forge a strategic and lasting relationship with the business community to tackle the biodiversity crisis.
We had a go in the early 1990s when the then Environment Secretary, John Gummer, launched the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. This was the then Conservative Government's response to the the Rio Earth Summit in part thanks to some effective chivvying from the NGOs (a gang of six under the umbrella of Biodiversity Challenge).
The old BAP (as it became fondly known) had at its heart a partnership between government, business and NGOs. The idea was simple. Government would fix places and habitats, NGOs would look after the most threatened species, while business would find the money, acting as corporate champions. So, ICI supported the Large Blue and Pearl-Bordered Fritillary, Tesco supported Skylark, the Co-op supported Bittern and Mileta Tog 24 (a Yorkshire clothing company) supported the Stag Beetle. And, together we achieved some great things. But, under the Labour administration, for whatever reason, it petered out.
I know that there have been a plethora of corporate tie-ups since then, but I think the strategic partnership which Mr Gummer conceived was compelling and could have worked. Our limited recent experience suggests that this approach may be worth another go. The relationship which we have forged with Famous Grouse (which led to the creation of Black Grouse Whisky and lots of money in support of black grouse conservation) suggests that if there is a good brand fit between business and the bit of biodiversity that you are trying to save, there could be great mutual benefits.
I don't have a plan. And, I don't think Defra does either. My point is that we probably need to get one.
Do you think businesses can and should do more to support nature conservation? Which species would you match with which brand?
It would be great to hear your views
Thanks Sooty. I agree that there is a limit to what we can expect and that understanding company motivation is key. But I do think this needs a concerted push. We'll ponder further.