The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has issued a call for evidence asking for examples of practical or regulatory barriers getting in the way of measures to protect and improve nature.
Professor Robbie McDonald, the OEP’s Chief Scientist, said: “We want to help identify practical opportunities for landowners and occupiers in England to go further and go faster for nature. We want to support regulators and government to focus on the outcomes sought for nature recovery, and to tackle the barriers that may be preventing or slowing action towards those goals.
“We are looking for examples of real or perceived regulatory and other blockers that people have experienced getting in the way of work to improve the environment across land, freshwater and coastal areas.
“We will consider the impact they are having on conservation efforts, particularly linked to achievement of environmental targets such as the wildlife-rich habitat target and the 30 by 30 commitments.
“We will seek to prioritise them by which would have the most impact if addressed, and identify practical opportunities to address these barriers. Ultimately, we want to work with others to find solutions, so that any blockages can be unblocked.”
Please find here a briefing document with more details about the call for evidence, and a response template.
