Our environment is so important, and many of us have a renewed appreciation for where we live and our local green spaces after having to stay at home to protect public health.
We are so lucky that our country has often led the way in environmental protection. We were the first major economy to pass the NetZero by 2050 commitment as law, and earlier this year we went further and enshrined in law a new target to cut emissions by 75% by 2035. This is the world’s most ambitious climate change target as we continue to front the decarbonisation effort to protect our planet from the harmful effects of the burning of fossil fuels.
Although it is right that focus is placed upon NetZero and becoming carbon neutral, there are also every day but no less important things we can influence, as well as actions that we can take in order to protect and improve our local environment. Sadly, our environment faces further threats from development, plastic, pollution and more.
The Environment Bill, which is currently making its way through Parliament, will go far to help British nature. The Bill sets out new legal frameworks for air pollution and water quality, as well as nature conservation. It establishes the Office for Environmental Protection which will be able to hold the Government and other public bodies to account on environmental matters, ensuring that environmental law is enforced and standards maintained to protect nature in the Britain.
On top of this, we have introduced legally binding targets to stop the decline of animals at risk, and we are trebling tree planting by 2024. Increasing trees is a fantastic way to absorb excess carbon dioxide, and this scheme alongside the Queen’s ‘Tree-bilee’ programme which sees trees planted to celebrate our monarch’s 70 years on the throne is an excellent step in our decarbonisation.
We must all play our part in protecting our environment, from Government all the way to local community. This week and next, during the Great British Spring Clean organised by the Keep Britain Tidy campaign, many of us will also be participating in litter picks in our area. The campaign aims to reduce litter and rubbish, improve our local area and prevent waste. Lots of clean ups are happening locally through community groups, so be sure to get involved!
