Oxfordshire Charities Unite to Call for Nature’s Recovery by 2030
A coalition of Oxfordshire-based charities has come together once again to amplify calls for urgent political action to halt and reverse nature’s decline by 2030.
On 31st January, Wild Oxfordshire will host a lecture entitled “Nature 2030 – what can we do to turn political commitments into action?” featuring Wildlife and Countryside Link’s Chief Executive Dr Richard Benwell. The event provides an opportunity to re-energise efforts to compel all political parties to prioritise ambitious policies for nature’s recovery ahead of the 2024 general election.
The legal deadline to halt nature’s decline will fall at the end of the next Parliament in 2030, so restoring wildlife in such a short timeframe requires political commitments that match the scale and urgency of the task.
Last September, a group of Oxfordshire environmental and community organisations, including the Oxfordshire Environment Board, Earth Trust, Wild Oxfordshire, Community First Oxfordshire, and CAG Oxfordshire joined forces to support the nationwide Nature 2030 campaign. The campaign urges political leaders to adopt five landmark policies to reverse the loss of nature by 2030:
- A pay rise for nature and farmers
- Making polluters pay
- More space for nature by 2030
- Delivering green jobs
- A Right to a Healthy Environment
Jayne Manley, Chair of the Oxfordshire Environment Board, explains: “The urgency of the matter cannot be overstated. Before the next general election, we’re asking all political parties to promise to make nature’s recovery a top priority.”
Camilla Burrow, CEO of Wild Oxfordshire adds “We have some brilliant examples of delivering nature’s recovery in Oxfordshire, but we need more robust action and support from our leaders. We’ve yet to see political commitments that match the urgency needed. So how can we rally together in the year ahead? And what should we be asking for? Our lecture will bring together environmentalists across Oxfordshire to hear some of the big ideas needed for nature in this election year.”
Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link said, “Politicians around the world have promised to stop nature’s decline by 2030. The next election will show whether UK political parties are willing to step up with the protection and investment needed to create a nature-positive economy.
“It will not be easy but it will be worthwhile. The UK remains in the red on many of its key nature commitments. In Oxfordshire and across the country we see the same story: rivers choked with chemicals and pollution, ill-health from a degraded environment and wildlife populations and habitats in poor condition.
This election must have nature’s recovery at its heart. Through Nature 2030, we’re challenging all parties to invest more in nature recovery and wildlife-friendly farming, make polluters pay, kickstart the green economy, and guarantee access to a healthy natural environment for everyone.
Members of the public can show their support for Nature 2030 by signing the petition here .
Together, Oxfordshire’s environmental community can secure a brighter, greener future for the county and leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.
The message is clear – Nature is sending an urgent call, and it’s time for Oxfordshire to answer.