Nature emergency a critical issue for new UK government

Keir Starmer’s new Labour government must take decisive action on the international nature emergency, argues IIED in a statement released on 5 July with other UK-based partners.

The world is facing a climate and nature emergency that is fast becoming an emergency for people too. This is the greatest challenge of our time and the next five years will be critical to making progress.

The UK’s leadership role has slipped considerably in recent years and more ambitious steps towards change are desperately needed.

In the statement (PDF), IIED together with CAFOD, Conservation International – UK, Fauna & Flora, Forest Peoples Programme, RSPB, WWF-UK and ZSL, outline urgent actions for the new government to take to advance global action on halting and reversing the destruction of nature.

Key areas for action

Global leadership and diplomacy

The UK should bid to host the 2026 Nature Summit (COP17 of the Convention on Biological Diversity), marking its first opportunity to host the event and highlighting the importance of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in conservation efforts.
Appoint a global ‘People and Nature’ envoy and establish a cross-departmental ministerial position to enhance international leadership on environmental issues.
Achieve an equitable 30x30 target, focusing on advancing land tenure rights and effective management of protected areas, and collaborate with the High Ambition Coalition.

Aid and finance

Maintain commitments to the global South, ensuring the delivery of GBP£3 billion for nature and £1.5 billion for forests by 2025, and expand climate finance for nature-positive solutions.
Reform aid mechanisms to support human rights, climate and nature.
Reform financial systems by establishing loss and damage funds, fixing the broken global tax architecture, resolving the new global sovereign debt crisis and reforming international financial institutions.

UK’s environmental and social footprint

Ensure policy coherence between trade and international nature commitments, setting minimum environmental and social standards for food imports.
Implement due diligence legislation to prevent illegal deforestation linked to UK imports and establish regulations to prevent human rights and environmental harm by UK businesses abroad.

Domestic leadership on nature

Develop an ambitious National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and a credible Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to demonstrate the UK’s commitment to halting biodiversity loss by 2030.
Pass legislation to ratify the UN High Seas Treaty and ensure evidence-based, science-driven decision making within the UK government.

The statement highlights that business as usual is not an option and calls on Starmer’s Labour government to set an ambitious agenda on nature and climate – for the wellbeing of all people, here in the UK and around the world.

For more information, read the full statement (PDF).

Nature emergency a critical issue for new UK government

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Further reading

How are civil society and impacted communities working to change the governance of land-based investments?

Interview: Women from least developed countries and the international climate negotiations − how can we close the gap?

Ripple effects and revolutions – women leaders in climate and biodiversity: Make Change Happen podcast episode 21

Engaging youth in climate action: recommendations from Ireland and Tanzania