A coalition of Oxfordshire-based charities has renewed calls for urgent political action to halt and reverse nature's decline by 2030.
On January 31, Wild Oxfordshire will host a lecture named, "Nature 2030 – what can we do to turn political commitments into action?"
The invited guest speaker is Dr Richard Benwell, chief executive of Wildlife and Countryside Link.
The event will set the stage to reinvigorate efforts to ensure nature's recovery triumphs over political priorities before the next general elections in 2024.
Dr Benwell 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.
"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."
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The legal deadline to halt nature's decline is at the end of the next Parliament in 2030.
This period demands matching ambitious political commitments to scale and shorten task urgency says the coalition.
Last September, Oxfordshire's environmental and community organisations, including the Oxfordshire Environment Board, Earth Trust, Wild Oxfordshire, Community First Oxfordshire, and Community Action Groups (CAG) Oxfordshire, endorsed the nationwide Nature 2030 campaign.
This campaign is advocating five landmark policies to reverse the loss of nature by 2030.
Members of the public can show their support for Nature 2030 by signing the petition.
Jayne Manley, chair of the Oxfordshire Environment Board, said: "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, added: "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?
"Our lecture will bring together environmentalists across Oxfordshire to hear some of the big ideas needed for nature in this election year.”
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