Appendix 1 - Government response
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT COMMITTEE
REPORT: "Millennium Ecosystem Assessment "
(First Report of Session 2006-07)
INTRODUCTION
I. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) recommended
some key steps for governments to take to address the degradation
in ecosystem services. A number of these relate to areas already
being addressed under the UK Government agenda.
Changing the economic background to decision-making
II. The MA recommends removing
harmful subsidies and introducing incentive payments for land
managers. The UK has been one of the strongest advocates for
reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and we have already made
significant progress by breaking the link between subsidy and
production. We are increasingly moving to reward farmers for good
environmental practice. Under the cross-compliance rules, farmers
must meet basic environmental requirements in order to qualify
for the Single Payment; and enhanced incentives are provided by
the new Environmental Stewardship scheme, which includes an Entry
Level scheme open to all farmers.
III. The MA found that more
work was needed to ensure that the true value of ecosystem services
is taken into account in decision making. As part of Defra's natural
environment programme we will be building on previous experience
to further develop tools and methodologies for valuing ecosystem
services in policy and decision making across government.
IV. The UK Government has led
the way in developing market mechanisms for reducing carbon emissions,
through the UK Emissions Trading Scheme.
Improving policy, planning and management
V. Defra is drawing on the
conceptual framework from the MA in the development of an ecosystems
approach to conserving, managing and enhancing the natural environment.
This will involve a shift away from silo-based approaches towards
a more integrated approach to policy-making and delivery, with
a focus on delivery of healthy and resilient ecosystems. Defra
is currently working with delivery partners and stakeholders towards
publication, at the end of 2007, of an Action Plan to embed this
approach within Defra and more widely.
VI. The Government is committed
to an ecosystem approach to marine management and is actively
taking forward steps to implement this. Defra's consultation on
a Marine Bill fully recognised the vital role of ecosystems services
provided by the marine environment.
VII. Government planning policy, as set out in
Planning Policy Statement (PPS)1 Delivering Sustainable Development
makes it clear that sustainable development is the core principle
underpinning planning
VIII. The Government introduced a new development
plan system in 2004 and will, following the publication of the
Barker Review of Land Use Planning, be looking to determine whether
further changes are needed to help ensure that the benefits of
effective planning are delivered in a timely and efficient manner.
The Government wants in place a planning system that is able
to both support economic growth and prosperity and deliver wider
sustainable development goals. Kate Barker's Report made recommendations
which built upon the 2004 planning reforms and the Government
will be responding to Barker's recommendations in the Spring.
Influencing individual behaviour
IX. Sustainable consumption
and production is a priority area for Defra. The department is
currently carrying out research into the impacts of UK consumption
on the global environment. This includes research into the impact
of imported commodities on global biodiversity, and methodological
work to establish the emissions of CO2 which are generated
through the production of goods imported into the UK. An additional
part of the programme is to review the evidence base which identifies
the links between UK consumption, the global environmental impacts
and the local social and economic dimensions of food production
and other products.
Developing and using environmentally friendly
technologies and
restoring degraded ecosystems
X. Defra is promoting the deployment of energy-efficient
technologies through a wide range of policy measures. These include
the successful Energy Efficiency Commitment; support for Combined
Heat and Power, labelling of the most energy efficient products,
advice and information provided by the Energy Saving Trust and
Carbon trust; and working both within the EU and internationally
to raise energy performance standards of appliances.
XI. The Forestry Commission is currently chairing
the Global Partnership on Forest Landscape Restoration. The Partnership
aims to catalyse and reinforce a diverse network of restoration
programmes that deliver benefits to local communities and to nature,
and fulfil international commitments on forests.
| 
