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In partnership with National Highways, CSaP organised a Policy Workshop on nature recovery networks and habitat connectivity in the UK.
Background and purpose of the workshop
It is widely recognised that England is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, ranking in the bottom 10% globally for biodiversity. To reverse the decline in biodiversity and create a natural environment that is resilient to climate change, it is necessary not just to protect areas of habitat, but also to connect nature.
The existing conservation model, however, places emphasis on protecting habitats with connectivity not featuring as prominently on the agenda. With the passing of the Environment Act, and the creation of Local Nature Recovery Strategies, there is a window of opportunity to address this issue and to develop a more holistic approach. Nature networks at a national scale will need to address nature severance created by linear infrastructure, particularly road and rail.
The workshop facilitated a discussion on a national vision of a Strategic Nature Network that provides context for the development of Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) by Local Authorities. It also focused on how a business case can be made to deliver improvements to nature connectivity across existing linear infrastructure and how to identify the priority locations to intervene.
The workshop aimed to address the following questions:
Making the case
- What is the case for a Strategic Nature Network?
- What evidence is needed to demonstrate the effectiveness of nature connectivity to avoid biodiversity loss and to increase resilience to a changing climate? How can this evidence be reviewed and evaluated?
- How can the value for money case best be made for nature connectivity?
National vision for a Strategic Nature Network
- What a national vision of a Strategic Nature Network might look like? How can this be aligned, and realised through the delivery of local nature recovery strategies?
- How can we facilitate better collaboration and coordination at the national and local levels?
Learning from best practice
- What international learnings/best practices could we draw on to make progress?
- Can the importance of connectivity be better reflected in the biodiversity metrics used under Biodiversity Net Gain commitments?
- What are the sources of funding to realise this network and what scale of funding would make a meaningful difference?
Prioritising interventions
- What opportunities are presented through repurposing existing structures and assets to increase nature connectivity?
- How do we identify priority locations for addressing nature severance?
A report reflecting the discussions that took place at the Policy Workshop is available to download here
Alison Rose
Newnham College, Cambridge