The Urgency for Environmental Action in Labour’s Agenda

The Imperative for Nature Action in Labour’s New Era

As the previous government became increasingly sidetracked from addressing the needs of the British populace, Labour’s decisive victory felt almost inevitable. Prime Minister Keir Starmer now pledges to deliver “action not words,” but this urgency must extend to environmental concerns. It’s not sufficient to merely pay lip service; Starmer must prioritize preserving the natural systems upon which our society relies. Thus far, Labour has made commendable strides in transitioning to renewable energy. The party has lifted the de facto ban on onshore wind, turned down new oil and gas licenses in the North Sea, and, as outlined by King Charles III in his recent address, established Great British Energy, a publicly owned clean power company aimed at fostering investment in renewables.

However, a significant void remains: we have yet to see similar levels of action taken regarding the biodiversity crisis and the protection of nature. This gap is particularly alarming given that the UK ranks among the most nature-depleted countries globally, leading to severe repercussions for food security and the alarming statistic that nearly one in six species is at risk of extinction. Starmer and his cabinet must act swiftly. The health of our natural world is intricately linked to economic growth, job creation, and national security. If this connection is overlooked, the incoming government risks failing to revitalize the economy and secure a sustainable future for the nation.

The relationship between nature and the economy was eloquently articulated in the groundbreaking Dasgupta Review of 2019, commissioned by the Treasury. This report highlighted the peril of ignoring nature in our economic models, a blind spot we can ill afford. Despite the compelling evidence, the necessary mindset shift to incorporate the restoration and protection of nature into our economic strategy remains unrealized, even as awareness grows. From business leaders who are pledging to be “nature positive” to trade unions warning that “there are no jobs on a dead planet,” safeguarding our natural environment is emerging as a unifying issue rather than a divisive one.

Government Action is Crucial

Research from the Green Finance Institute (GFI) released in April 2024 reveals that environmental degradation is currently hampering the UK economy, with potential GDP reductions of up to 12% by the 2030s. A 2020 study by the World Economic Forum underscored that industries heavily or moderately reliant on nature account for over a third of global economic growth. The top four risks identified in the WEF’s 2024 Global Risk Report are all environmental in nature: extreme weather events, critical changes to earth systems, biodiversity collapse, and shortages of natural resources. Clearly, all economic activities depend on the health of our ecosystems.

Effective government intervention is essential to halt businesses from profiting at the expense of the environment. Moreover, it is vital to create incentives that encourage companies to transition toward sustainable practices, ensuring not only their own longevity but also contributing to the resilience of our economy and society at large. Many businesses are beginning to recognize their critical dependencies on essential resources such as water, soil, and pollinators, and they are already facing operational disruptions and financial consequences stemming from our collective failure to safeguard these natural systems.

A Holistic Approach is Necessary

• To improve transparency regarding business risks and impacts, numerous tools, regulations, and frameworks are emerging both internationally and domestically, requiring organizations to report on ecological factors alongside climate considerations, such as the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD).

However, mere reporting will not suffice to stem the alarming rate at which species are disappearing in the UK, nor will it fulfill global commitments to protect and restore 30% of land and oceans by 2030. Action must also be directed towards fostering sustainable economic growth. Numerous innovative ventures are emerging daily that leverage technology to combat environmental degradation while simultaneously addressing food security and job creation. Yet, without robust government support, these start-ups may remain small and struggle against entrenched, harmful business models.

While businesses are increasingly aware of the need for action, many find themselves constrained by competitive pressures and the lack of cohesive industrial and economic strategies that facilitate collaboration in overcoming shared challenges such as reorienting supply chains, developing “pro-nature” business models, and altering land use patterns. The extensive development of new infrastructure aimed at enabling the energy transition, addressing climate adaptation, and accommodating a growing population also poses significant implications for nature.

Integrating Economic Strategies

Effective government action must recognize the necessity of achieving multiple objectives. Addressing environmental concerns cannot be separated from considerations of agriculture and infrastructure. Industrial farming practices are a primary factor contributing to the current state of nature, and thus, any initiatives aimed at protecting biodiversity must also take into account the livelihoods of farmers and the need for crop security. The development of infrastructure to facilitate the energy transition and support a growing population must also be carefully balanced with nature conservation.

• Starmer’s administration must not only commit to high-level goals concerning nature but also develop integrated strategies encompassing industrial, economic, infrastructural, and security considerations that benefit both climate and nature alongside growth, productivity, jobs, health, and security.

This endeavor will require sophisticated decision-making frameworks capable of navigating complexity and ensuring that relevant stakeholders are engaged rather than marginalized.

Seizing the Moment for Leadership

The previous Conservative government notably underperformed in prioritizing nature, failing to grasp the full scale of the issue. While legislative advancements have been made through the Environment and Agriculture Acts, as well as initiatives like Biodiversity Net Gain, the shifting political landscape and changes in leadership have resulted in insufficient focus on actual implementation and delivery. At the beginning of this year, the Office for Environmental Protection reported that the government remains significantly off track to meet its environmental objectives.

The upcoming COP16, a global biodiversity conference under UN auspices, is set to take place in Colombia at the end of October. Starmer now has a pivotal opportunity to demonstrate that the UK is fully committed to being a leader in climate and biodiversity at COP16 and ahead of the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan. Without such decisive leadership, businesses may find themselves trapped in an untenable position.

Lindsay Hooper is the CEO of the Cambridge University Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL).

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