Biodiversity UK: Defra Green Paper

Defra published a Green Paper consultation entitled "An Invitation to Shape the Nature of England". 

This will lead to a White Paper in the spring of 2011. The questions in the paper are extremely broad and read as follows:

Question 1: What do we need to do to embed the true value of our natural resources in decision making at all levels?

Question 2: Have we identified the right overarching challenges for the White Paper to consider?

a. If not, what should we focus on?

b. How should we approach these challenges?

Question 3: What are the existing policies and practices aimed at protecting England’s natural assets (including but not limited to those set out above on our biodiversity, seas, water bodies, air and soil) that currently work most effectively?

a. What works less well – what could we stop doing or do differently?

Question 4: What mechanisms should we focus on to ensure we manage our natural systems more effectively in future?

a. How should we define success?

b. How can we agree on common goals and assess our progress towards them?

Question 5: How best can we reduce our footprint on the natural environment abroad, through the goods, services and products we use?

Question 6: What best practice and innovative approaches to protecting and enhancing our natural environment do you think should be considered as we develop the White Paper?

Question 7: How best can we harness and build on public enthusiasm for the natural environment so people can help improve it through local action, as informed consumers or by shaping policy?

Question 8: What should be our vision for the role of Civil Society in managing and enhancing the natural environment and for engaging individuals, businesses and communities in setting the agenda for that work?

Question 9: How best can Government incentivise innovative and effective action on the natural environment, across England, at the local level?

a. How best can local government and other local partners work together to improve local outcomes on the natural environment, and pursue a more integrated approach linking a healthy natural environment to economic prosperity, sustainable development and a better quality of life, health and wellbeing?

b. What are the most effective mechanisms for managing the natural environment where cross-boundary issues are involved, and making the link to other mechanisms for economic growth, transport and planning?

c. How best can the value of the natural environment be considered within local planning?

Question 10: How best could the economy reflect the true value of nature’s services in the way business is done, to drive smarter, greener growth?

Question 11: Responsible businesses are already looking for ways to reduce their impact on the environment. How can we encourage more action like this?

Question 12: What are the barriers to joining-up and seeking multiple benefits from our natural assets?

Question 13: What are the barriers to thinking big and taking a landscape scale approach to managing our natural assets?

Question 14: What should be the priorities for the UK’s role in EU and international action, to protect and enhance the natural environment at home and abroad?

Question 15: If you could choose just one priority action for the Natural Environment White Paper to drive forward locally, nationally or internationally – what would it be?