15 April 2024

Green Party co-leader, Adrian Ramsay, has announced the Party’s plans for an Independent Commission for Nature that would protect nature and ensure the restoration of wildlife habitats. The new watchdog would be created as part of a new “Rights of Nature” Act that would enshrine in law the intrinsic value of nature while also recognising how a healthy natural environment is fundamental to clear air, water and food.  

Ramsay made the announcement as he joined leaders of national conservation charities at Black Bourn Valley Reserve in Suffolk [1] where they delivered their ‘Nature 2030 Open Letter’ signed by 100,000 people across the country [2].  

Adrian Ramsay said: 

“I am delighted to be the first party leader to back the calls of conservation groups to restore nature. The natural environment is deeply important to the British people, yet the lack of adequate legal protection has left the UK as one of the most nature depleted countries in the world. Last year’s State of Nature report [3] highlighted the scale of the threats facing nature, with 1 in 6 species at risk of extinction. Given this alarming situation, the work of the country’s many conservation and wildlife organisations is critical in helping to protect and restore nature. Like them, the Green Party understands we need a change in government policies to ensure the UK meets legally binding targets for nature by 2030.  

“Greens believe that nature has an intrinsic value. It is also vital to human health and survival – for the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat. Evidence also shows that people’s physical and mental wellbeing is enhanced by easy access to green spaces and nature. 

“The Green Party wants to see much greater protection of nature in law. We would set up an Independent Commission for Nature that would set targets for nature protection and restoration, enforced through the courts. This would be groundbreaking, allowing for the first time the possibility of individuals, communities and conservation groups taking legal action on behalf of nature. Currently, every time our rivers, seas or land is polluted, prosecution is left to hopelessly underfunded quangos. 

“The Nature 2030 open letter, signed by over 100,000 people, demonstrates that people want to see firm action to halt and reverse the decline of nature by 2030. The Green Party fully backs the outcomes the Nature 2030 coalition of conservation organisations want to see [4]. Nature restoration will be a key priority in our general election manifesto, and for me personally if I’m elected as an MP. 

“Only the Green Party will take the necessary action to double the budget for nature friendly farming, protect 30% of the land and sea for nature, invest in the skills needed for regenerative farming and wildlife habitat restoration, and protect people’s right to clean air and water and access to nature.” 

Notes 

1. Black Bourn Valley Nature Reserve managed by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust is a 290 acre former arable farm where natural regeneration methods and conservation grazing are being used to demonstrate how land management can balance competing demands on land use and natural resources whilst bringing back nature. 

2. Open_Letter_Nature_2030_Campaign.pdf 

3. State of Nature 2023 – report on the UK’s current biodiversity 

4. Nature_2030_Report_18.07.2023.pdf (wcl.org.uk) 

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14 April 2024

Following news of the Iranian attack on Israel and the involvement of UK aircraft in Israel’s defence, Green Party co-leader, Carla Denyer, has urged the UK not to be dragged into a Middle East war. She said: 

“The Green Party condemns Iran’s attacks against Israel, which were targeted on civilian as well as military targets.  This represents a concerning escalation of the current conflict in the Middle East. We call on all parties now to find ways to de-escalate this conflict, which risks spreading across the region. 

“We are concerned by the use of British aircraft in the night’s events.  We question why Britain should be involved in this confrontation, where there is a risk that we could become embroiled in a regional war.  The record of Afghanistan and Iraq suggests that involvement in such conflict brings great risks, especially when the military and strategic objectives are unclear.” 

Denyer also questioned at what level the decision to engage UK defence forces was made: 

“I am deeply concerned about how this decision to deepen our involvement was made and in what further action the government proposes to involve UK armed forces. Britain’s military involvement must be scrutinised and debated by parliament. We should not allow ourselves to be dragged into a Middle East war. 

“Last night’s violence demonstrates again that there must be resolution to the interconnected conflicts of the Middle East, including in Gaza where a ceasefire remains urgent. We are at a moment of grave peril and it is incumbent on all countries, including the UK, to find ways to reduce rather than contribute to conflict.” 

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The ‘DVA Monthly Tests Conducted Statistics – March 2024’ report, containing statistics up to March 2024, is now available.

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has announced that a £450,000 carriageway resurfacing scheme on the B160 Ballinderry Bridge Road, Ballinderry will commence on Monday 15 April 2024.

A £460,000 carriageway resurfacing scheme on U9107 Belfast Road, Comber will commence on Monday 15 April 2024.