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Convention on Biodiversity COP15: Outcomes
19 December 2022
Lead MP
Therese Coffey
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
ClimateAgriculture & Rural Affairs
Other Contributors: 17
At a Glance
Therese Coffey raised concerns about convention on biodiversity cop15: outcomes in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs provided an update to the House regarding the outcomes of COP15 on biodiversity. The statement highlighted the importance of nature as a foundation for economic prosperity and emphasised the agreement's ambitious targets: protecting at least 30% of land and sea by 2030, and restoring natural systems with species recovery and halted extinctions. It also included commitments to a new international fund for nature and increasing annual investment in nature to $30 billion by 2030. The minister commended the UK's role in securing these agreements through collaborative efforts with countries like Ecuador, Gabon, and the Maldives.
Alex Sobel
Lab Co-op
Leeds Central and Headingley
Question
The shadow spokesperson criticised the UK government's own environmental targets, noting their lack of ambition compared to COP15 commitments. He asked how the missed domestic targets align with international promises.
Minister reply
The minister responded by emphasising the UK's commitment to its domestic and international responsibilities but did not directly address the criticism regarding the alignment between COP15 goals and national targets.
Alex Sobel
Lab Co-op
Leeds Central and Headingley
Question
The MP questions the Government's approach on environmental targets post-COP15, highlighting the lack of inclusion of a 30% goal for protecting nature, absence of measures for water quality and protected sites, and insufficient action on sewage dumping and air pollution. Sobel emphasises that only 14% of rivers meet good ecological standards and one in five people suffer from respiratory conditions worsened by toxic air.
Minister reply
The minister responds to the criticism, acknowledging that while targets were consulted upon, they are currently being laid as statutory instruments with plans for further environmental improvement. She emphasises UK leadership in securing financial support for nature-rich countries and credits previous Conservative Governments for enacting environment Acts.
Matthew Hancock
Con
South East Cambridgeshire
Question
Hancock praises the Secretary of State's efforts to deliver a landmark agreement at COP15, highlighting the need not only to stop biodiversity diminution but also to aim for expansion. He recognises the achievement and calls for unity in the House to support the environment.
Minister reply
The minister agrees with Hancock's sentiment, emphasising the importance of collaboration across the House to recognise and give credit to the achievements made by civil servants, local councils, industry, and individuals towards improving and enhancing nature.
David Linden
SNP
Glasgow East
Question
Linden welcomes progress from COP15 but questions whether the British Government will produce a new biodiversity strategy matching the COP15 and Scottish targets. He raises concerns about decisions increasing fossil fuel production accelerating biodiversity loss, calls for a dedicated biodiversity restoration fund like Scotland's £65 million nature restoration fund, and expresses concern over African states being sidelined at the end of the process.
Minister reply
The minister acknowledges Scotland's role in recognising the biodiversity crisis and credits them for their established funding. She highlights existing funds such as the Nature for Climate Fund and Blue Planet Fund, emphasising the UK's commitment to significant investment around the world to preserve and restore nature.
Douglas Ross
Con
Moray
Question
Highlights collaboration on nature corridors and biosecurity with the Scottish Government, asks about ongoing discussions to ensure biodiversity issues are raised across UK Governments.
Minister reply
Acknowledges importance of transboundary nature issues; confirms regular meetings with devolved Administrations in the UK.
Barry Gardiner
Lab
Brent West
Question
Praises UK officials for their achievements at COP15, but criticises lack of concrete implementation plans and insufficient financial support.
Minister reply
Clarifies distinction between targets set by the Environment Act 2021 and interim targets yet to be published; mentions repurposing CAP funds post-Brexit to achieve environmental goals.
Theresa Villiers
Con
South West Hampshire
Question
Asks if agreement opens way for larger-scale uptake of solutions such as mangrove and seagrass, useful in capturing carbon.
Minister reply
Confirms substantial funding from the blue planet fund to support projects involving mangroves.
Anna McMorrin
Lab
Cardiff North
Question
Asks about UK Government's efforts to prevent extinction of indigenous communities and whether COP15 was a missed opportunity.
Minister reply
Asserts that the agreement is a significant win for indigenous people; highlights international leadership on nature issues.
Andrew Jones
Con
Harrogate and Knaresborough
Question
Compliments minister's work on protecting ecosystems and halting biodiversity loss, asks if maintaining international leadership can ensure changes are delivered.
Minister reply
Agrees that it is crucial to maintain such leadership; cites £3 billion dedicated to nature out of the UK's £11 billion total climate financing.
Caroline Lucas
Green
Brighton Pavilion
Question
Welcomes agreement but criticises Government's own environment targets for failing to deliver on goal, asks if they will align with new commitments.
Minister reply
Emphasises UK’s role in including nature and restoration in the COP15 text; mentions indicators set out in consultations.
Cat Smith
Lab
Lancaster and Wyre
Question
Commends work of local grassroots organisations and invites recognition for volunteers, asks if Government will reaffirm commitment against fracking.
Minister reply
Compliments the mentioned volunteers; clarifies that today’s statement does not address fracking.
Chi Onwurah
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Question
Critiques lack of urgency from Government in addressing biodiversity loss, criticises scrapping of river health indicator.
Minister reply
Refutes claim about scrapping the indicator; mentions ongoing efforts to improve water quality particularly focusing on urban areas.
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
Question
Asks how constituents will know if their water is clean without the scrapped river health indicator.
Minister reply
Clarifies that targets for achieving good ecological status in rivers remain and are still being worked on.
Hilary Benn
Lab
Leeds South
Question
I join the Secretary of State and others in the House in welcoming this important agreement, but it only means something if countries do what they have signed up to do. Can she tell us when she intends to bring forward any proposals that may be required to ensure that we in the UK match the very ambitious targets that have just been agreed in Montreal?
Minister reply
Through the Environment Act 2021, some targets on improving the environment are already in primary legislation. We have just confirmed environmental targets consulted earlier this year and statutory instruments will be laid to ensure Parliament can vote on legally binding targets. The UK continues to make improvements through initiatives like the clean air strategy and biosecurity plan, and is changing funding from basic payments to paying for services based on land use to improve water quality and reduce pollution.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
First, may I welcome the Secretary of State’s statement, which is really encouraging news? As somebody who has been involved in prior biodiversity drives and planted some 350,000 trees on my land, I know that other landowners will get involved if the incentive is there. Will the Secretary of State outline how she believes that the UK as a whole can achieve the aims set out, including devolved nations’ contributions?
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his support and enthusiasm. The people of Northern Ireland are keen to enhance nature, and the Executive has been supportive of our approaches. I recall my trip earlier this year when I visited the Giant’s Causeway and saw a desire to improve the natural environment there.
Question
What impact is the UK’s decision to cut the aid budget from 0.7% to 0.5% of gross national income having on the UK’s ability to contribute to the 10-point plan for financing biodiversity?
Minister reply
We have actually increased the amount of official development assistance going to environmental and climate change projects, and are excited about future funding from around the world, including from the private sector and philanthropic donors.
Shadow Comment
Alex Sobel
Shadow Comment
The shadow spokesperson acknowledged the agreement signed at COP15 to protect 30% of the planet for nature but criticised the UK government's own domestic targets, which did not include a 30% goal. He also pointed out that only 14% of England’s rivers meet good ecological standards and expressed concern about the lack of action on sewage dumping and air quality issues. The Labour Party proposed mandatory monitoring with automatic fines for water pollution and a Clean Air Act to address respiratory conditions exacerbated by toxic air.
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