Government road plans driving in wrong direction say Warwickshire wildlife chiefs - The Rugby Observer

Government road plans driving in wrong direction say Warwickshire wildlife chiefs

Rugby Editorial 1st Jul, 2020   0

WILDLIFE chiefs in Warwickshire are “deeply disappointed” by the government’s announcement to spend billions on roads at a time when serious investment could address the twin emergencies of climate change and nature loss.

Prime minister Boris Johnson yesterday announced a new deal for Britain “which puts jobs and infrastructure at the centre of the government’s economic growth strategy.”

But Ed Green, chief executive of the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, said: “The government has announced billions for road building projects and just £40 million for nature.

“This is hugely disappointing. Serious investment in nature could provide a green recovery which addresses the twin crises of our age – climate change and loss of the natural world – while simultaneously providing many more jobs.




“Instead, the government have chosen to spend billions of pounds on roads which will take us in precisely the wrong direction and mean that we keep lurching from one crisis to another.”

“It’s vital that we look to solutions that will help address nature loss and climate change, not make them worse.


“An economic recovery which puts investment in nature first would reap big dividends in tackling climate crisis – helping to absorb up to a third of UK emissions* – as well as tackling health inequalities, and providing more jobs, skills and opportunities to support the next generation.”

In his speech, the prime minister made specific reference to building fast and removing wildlife that presented an obstacle, sparking concern at the impact it could have on already deeply depleted wildlife.

Mr Green added: “Nature has provided people with much solace during this crisis – and we know that we need nature not just for health and wellbeing but also because restored natural habitats can capture carbon.

” Investing in roads will put more cars on the road. Continuing with business as usual, investing in the polluting infrastructure of the past and undermining vital environmental protections, will mean nature continues to lose out and will leave us open to the catastrophic impacts of climate change.”

“Next year, the eyes of the world will be on the UK as it takes the presidency of the G7 and hosts the COP26 climate conference. As the government looks to get the economy back on its feet, it must show the world that Building Back Better means putting nature at the heart of our economic recovery – not simply an ‘add-on’.

“If the Government is serious about keeping its manifesto pledge to develop ‘the most ambitious environmental programme of any country on earth’, it must step up its ambition and lead the world in delivering a green economic recovery.”

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