Inquiry launched into protecting and enhancing UK biodiversity

Article summary

The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has launched an inquiry into how best to protect and enhance biodiversity in the UK. The inquiry will consider a range of factors including the state of UK biodiversity, ways of protecting and maintaining ecosystems and how nature-based climate change solutions can complement biodiversity. Currently, biodiversity is declining faster than at any other time in human history, with 15% of species threatened with extinction due to climate change, urbanisation and pollution among others. The EAC believes that limiting the decline is crucial because ‘healthy ecosystems are vital for human existence, providing food, energy, sustaining air quality and being the sole sinks absorbing carbon emissions.’ The inquiry closes on 11 September 2020 and all interested stakeholders are invited to respond.