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Ruth Chambers

@ruthchambers.bsky.social
1K followers 10 following 189 posts

🌍 Senior fellow, Green Alliance; Chair, Foodrise; Chair, Trees for Cities; Hon Prof, UCL; Adviser, River Action and the RSPB.

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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
📺 You can watch the session on Parliament TV 🔗 lnkd.in/ewFmkNC4 📝 We'd love feedback on what we said, what we missed and what we could do better next time.
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
⏰ Longstanding challenges must be addressed, for example on boosting green skills in key sectors, progressing long delayed laws on peat conservation and deforestation and increasing funding for land managers to play the fullest role in helping us meet the 2030 nature targets.
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
🦋 A shared view of nature's recovery as a pre-requisite of prosperity, health & well being must be the foundation for strengthened cross-government delivery, with more visible leadership from the PM. Systemic risks need a joined-up response. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/696e0e...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
🚨 The government must now turn words into action, and pick up the pace, with the much anticipated land use framework, circular economy growth plan and 25-year farming road map issued swiftly. 💡This briefing has more detail on these important interlinkages. green-alliance.org.uk/wp-content/u...
green-alliance.org.uk
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
🚀 We covered a lot of ground in our hour long session. 🥣 The committee asked us whether we thought the new plan was better than its predecessor, and what we thought were the key ingredients for successful delivery. ✅ We were united in our headline messages...
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
🔍 😌 This is what it looks like to breathe a sigh of relief after giving oral evidence in Parliament! 💚This pm I joined @richardbenwell.bsky.social @wclnews.bsky.social & Livi Elsmore @asthmaandlung.org.uk to give evidence to @commonseac.parliament.uk on the govt's new Environmental Improvement Plan
Richard Benwell and Ruth Chambers standing together in the House of Commons, under a sign which says 'Hear, Hear!', which is often shouted by MPs to mean 'yes'!
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
🎯 Meeting key targets for nature by 2030 is within this government's gift but will it rise to the challenge? It must act with urgency and put in place other important building blocks without delay – including the land use framework, circular economy growth plan and 25 year farming roadmap.
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
🔍 The government published a new Environmental Improvement Plan at the start of December. The OEP’s initial view is that while the new plan is more coherent, with greater transparency and increased focus on delivery, there are still gaps and a lack of specificity. www.theoep.org.uk/sites/defaul...
theoep.org.uk
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
📉The Office for Environmental Protection has once again found government progress on meeting its environmental goals and commitments is largely off track. The lack of 'green' in its summary assessment is striking. www.theoep.org.uk/news/actions...
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
🌱 Why are we still digging up our equivalent of rainforests - peat bogs - when alternatives exist? In the latest @green-alliance.org.uk blog, @trewin.bsky.social explains why the government must urgently bring forward a new law to end peat sales in the UK. greenallianceblog.org.uk/2026/01/08/p...
greenallianceblog.org.uk
Peat-free legislation is essential to end uncertainty and confusion
This post is by Trewin Restorick, founder of the sustainability consultancy Sizzle. Despite repeated government promises to end the sale of peat for horticulture, the necessary legislation has stil…
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Reposted by Ruth Chambers
Tess Colley @tesscolley.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
NEW: Lawyers ‘gathering views’ after government throws out all species protection proposals from own scientists www.endsreport.com/article/1944... with comment from @richardbenwell.bsky.social @jasonreeves80.bsky.social @ruthchambers.bsky.social
endsreport.com
Lawyers ‘gathering views’ after government throws out all species protection proposals from own scientists
A law firm is “gathering views” on the implications for animals like beavers and grey seals of the government rejecting all protected species recommendations from the UK’s wildlife agencies, in a move...
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Reposted by Ruth Chambers
Green Alliance @green-alliance.org.uk · 01/12/2025
"History tells us that nature is best protected by law, not promises." Beccy Speight, CEO @rspb.bsky.social, discusses what's at stake with the Planning & Infrastructure Bill now in its final stages ⤵️
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What the Planning and Infrastructure Bill tells us about the government’s approach to nature recovery
This post is by Beccy Speight, chief executive officer of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
🎧What to know more? Then tune in to learn about the Aarhus Convention, how eroding environmental rights undermines our democratic foundations and which climate crisis film Chris Packham and I have both watched (it's a classic!). green-alliance.org.uk/podcast/in-c...
green-alliance.org.uk
In conversation with Chris Packham and experts: are we losing our environmental rights? » Green Alliance
Green Alliance is an independent think tank and charity focused on ambitious leadership for the environment
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
🚨 Environmental rights are sadly under threat like never before as last week’s meeting of the parties to the Aarhus Convention saw. 📜 This includes the right to participate in how environmental laws are made, topical in light of the controversial planning bill. friendsoftheearth.uk/latest/uk-je...
friendsoftheearth.uk
UK jeopardises global cooperation by refusing UN findings | Friends of the Earth
The UK has "needlessly undermined an important treaty" centred on giving "ordinary people a voice", campaigners say
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
📻 In #TheGreenAlliancePodcast I discuss the erosion of environmental rights in the UK with special guests @chrisgpackham.bsky.social and legal experts. ✅ Despite the role the right to protest has played in shaping our society, we cannot take it for granted. green-alliance.org.uk/podcast/in-c...
green-alliance.org.uk
In conversation with Chris Packham and experts: are we losing our environmental rights? » Green Alliance
Green Alliance is an independent think tank and charity focused on ambitious leadership for the environment
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Reposted by Ruth Chambers
Green Alliance @green-alliance.org.uk · 27/11/2025
In today's episode of #TheGreenAlliancePodcast, @ruthchambers.bsky.social talks to @chrisgpackham.bsky.social + environment law experts about the need to protect the right to protest in the UK for both democracy & the environment amid growing strain. Full ep: green-alliance.org.uk/podcast/in-c...
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Green Alliance @green-alliance.org.uk · 20/11/2025
Wales is creating a new environmental watchdog after 7 years of waiting - but will it have the teeth it needs? In our latest blog, @ruthchambers.bsky.social tells the story of a bill racing against time, political uncertainty and the fight to get the details right. 🔁 @iwa-wales.bsky.social
greenallianceblog.org.uk
At a crossroads: why Wales must futureproof its new green governance
This article was first published on the Institute of Welsh Affairs website. In a world of political uncertainty, democratic checks and balances matter. As we approach the last four months of the si…
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
✅ In a world of political uncertainty, democratic checks and balances matter. My thoughts for @iwa-wales.bsky.social on how to future proof green governance in Wales. www.iwa.wales/agenda/2025/...
iwa.wales
At a crossroads: why Wales must futureproof its new green governance - Institute of Welsh Affairs
The new OEGW can fill our environmental governance gap, but it must be given the legal duty and resources to ensure its independence and delivery.
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Green Alliance @green-alliance.org.uk · 28/10/2025
In our latest blog, senior fellow @ruthchambers.bsky.social looks at the rapidly changing political landscape in Wales and what this means for environmental protection. Read the blog here⤵️
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What does the Caerphilly by-election tell us about the state of Welsh politics?
Last week, a by-election in Caerphilly in South Wales was won by Plaid Cymru. With elections to Senedd Cymru – the Welsh Parliament – just seven months away, this result highlights the political un…
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
🙏 Thank you minister @emmahardymp.bsky.social & chief scientific adviser @evoswami.bsky.social for an engaging discussion on action on chemicals pollution. 💚 It's an area where environmental principles – prevent, rectify at source, precaution, polluter pays – must be at the heart of policy making.
Photo of participants at a roundtable discussion on chemicals pollution with Defra minister Emma Hardy.
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
🌄 The political landscape in Wales is changing rapidly. As parties vie for prominence and power, coalition working seems inevitable, including on the environment. In such uncertain times, legal certainty and the voice of civil society matters. 👀New blog ⬇️ greenallianceblog.org.uk/2025/10/28/w...
greenallianceblog.org.uk
What does the Caerphilly by-election tell us about the state of Welsh politics?
Last week, a by-election in Caerphilly in South Wales was won by Plaid Cymru. With elections to Senedd Cymru – the Welsh Parliament – just seven months away, this result highlights the political un…
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
🚥 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 | Wales stands at a crossroads in both its politics and its environmental ambitions. @joe-wildlife.bsky.social and I discuss the state of politics and nature in Wales and how proposed new environmental laws should be strengthened in this #GreenAlliancePodcast 🎧 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 buff.ly/wrjblXa
lnkd.in
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
⚡Is Labour about to put its historic link with National Parks at risk? I hope not but it seems this is not an academic question. 👀 All eyes will be on the government amendments to the planning and infrastructure bill, expected mid October. greenallianceblog.org.uk/2025/09/30/i...
greenallianceblog.org.uk
Is Labour about to put its historic link with National Parks at risk?
At last year’s Labour party conference the prime minister spoke about the beauty and wonder of the Lake District. Visitors to this year’s conference are greeted by six Labour history information bo…
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
📚 There's a lot of critical environmental decisions piling up on ministers' desks. 🚀 None more so than the environmental improvement plan, which has stalled. Defra Secretary Emma Reynolds must get the new plan out the door and drive its implementation at pace. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
📈 Many thanks for the chance to offer thoughts on whether the government is on track to meet the great green challenges of our time. 🚀A monumental shift will be required to move from planning to delivery. 🔍All eyes will be on the new environmental improvement plan when it appears later this year.
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
5️⃣ 🔗 Working with her ministers and new permanent secretary Paul Kissack, she must ensure that Defra’s many policy levers work in a unified and complementary way. She has many willing partners and allies. We are very much looking forward to working with her.
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
4️⃣ 🚀 Emma had a great first week announcing progress on oceans, peat burning and toxic pesticides. She must continue to seize the 'quick wins' waiting in the department's wings eg ending the digging up of peat bogs for garden compost & ridding supermarket shelves of products of damaging deforestation
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
3️⃣ 📗 A healthy natural world underpins the economy. By spending Defra’s budget well she can restore nature, while reducing flood risk, boosting farmers’ incomes and saving NHS £. The Circular Economy Strategy is one of the best opportunities Defra has to promote economic resilience and productivity.
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
2️⃣ 🍃 She must champion the environment across government. People want to breathe clean air, drink and swim in clean water, eat healthy and affordable food and experience the joys of nature. Defra's work touches the lives of and matters to millions of people.
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
1️⃣ ⚡She must instil a laser like focus on delivery, starting with getting the new environmental improvement plan out in October, followed swiftly by the land use framework, a plan to protect 30 per cent of land and sea for nature by 2030 and implementing the new SPS agreement with the EU by 2027.
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
My latest @green-alliance.org.uk blog looks at some of the opportunities and challenges facing new Defra Secretary Emma Reynolds. 📝 There's a lot on her 'to do' list so where should she start? Here are five suggestions. greenallianceblog.org.uk/2025/09/18/n...
greenallianceblog.org.uk
New Defra secretary Emma Reynolds has a big ‘to do’ list but a chance to make some publicly popular moves
Emma Reynolds has become the tenth UK environment secretary in a decade, joining the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) at a critical time for environmental protection. She …
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
🌋 ⚖️ 🌳 Who remembers when thousands of environmental laws nearly disappeared over a cliff?* 📑 In our latest briefing, we tell the story of retained EU laws and look to their future. * Luckily this didn’t happen thanks to civil society and parliamentarians. green-alliance.org.uk/briefing/the...
green-alliance.org.uk
The fate of retained EU laws since Brexit » Green Alliance
Green Alliance is an independent think tank and charity focused on ambitious leadership for the environment
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Reposted by Ruth Chambers
Green Alliance @green-alliance.org.uk · 14/08/2025
In our latest blog, @ruthchambers.bsky.social highlights the worrying trend of governments curtailing our ability to protest about their policies or inaction. The government must reset its approach, repeal draconian laws and bring us back into compliance with the Aarhus Convention.
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The right to protest on the environment must be restored
Five years ago, I reflected on the role that civil disobedience and protests have played in the environmental movement and the worrying direction of travel prompted by the backlash to Extinction Rebellion. What has happened since September 2020?
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 14/08/2025
My latest @green-alliance.org.uk blog makes the case for the right to protest on the environment to be restored. It’s not too late to reverse this worrying anti-democratic direction of travel but the government must act now. greenallianceblog.org.uk/2025/08/14/t...
greenallianceblog.org.uk
The right to protest on the environment must be restored
Five years ago, I reflected on the role that civil disobedience and protests have played in the environmental movement and the worrying direction of travel prompted by the backlash to Extinction Re…
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
🌎 Recent rollbacks in Brazil, Ecuador & the US show how fragile environmental governance systems can be. 🍃 In this new @green-alliance.org.uk blog I look at how the UK can strengthen environmental protections to help them withstand changing political winds. greenallianceblog.org.uk/2025/08/06/t...
greenallianceblog.org.uk
The UK needs to strengthen, not rollback, its environmental protections
Across the world, governance systems that protect precious environments and people are being dismantled. This may feel a far cry from the cut and thrust of domestic politics, but there are already …
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
📆 Today marks one year since Defra launched a ‘rapid review’ of the Environmental Improvement Plan. 🪟 The Office for Environmental Protection has warned the window to get on track to meet environmental goals will soon slam shut. 👀 Safe to say there’s a lot riding on the new plan.
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
🙏 @justinmadders.bsky.social for reaffirming that environmental protections will be maintained when the govt uses its powers under the Retained EU Law Act. 📗 This welcome statement is in the govt's latest report to Parliament. ✉️ Read the minister's letter 👇 green-alliance.org.uk/wp-content/u...
Extract from the government's Assimilated Law Parliamentary Report: December 2024 to June 2025, confirming that environmental protections will be maintained when it exercises its powers to change laws which originated from the EU.
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
🙏 Thanks to the committee members and staff for their help with the preparations for the session. 👍 Giving evidence can be a nerve wracking experience but they made us feel comfortable from the start @delythjewell.bsky.social @llyrgruffydd.bsky.social
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
🌿 We discussed the independence and powers of the new Welsh environmental watchdog, environmental principles and biodiversity targets. 📗 After summer, the Committee will publish its recommendations which we hope will include a few of ours. 🔗 Read our evidence business.senedd.wales/ieListDocume...
business.senedd.wales
Agenda for Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee on Thursday, 17 July 2025, 09.30 | Senedd
Senedd
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
⏰ The climate change, environment and infrastructure committee asked us questions for 75 minutes. 🌊 We talked about the importance of making this important legislation as watertight as possible. 📺 Tune in from 9.30 www.senedd.tv/Meeting/Live...
senedd.tv
Live-Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee-17/07/2025
The Senedd is the democratically elected body that represents the interests of Wales and its people, makes laws for Wales, agrees Welsh taxes and holds the Welsh Government to account.
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
🌟 🌟 Delighted to give evidence alongside these two superstars* this morning in @senedd.wales on a new legal environmental framework for Cymru. *Alex Phillips from WWF Cymru and Annie Smith from ‪@rspbcymru.bsky.social‬ who co-chair the @waleslink.bsky.social biodiversity group.
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
🧩 The Welsh environmental governance bill will complete the legislative jigsaw we’ve been working on across the UK since Brexit. 🎧 For more details check out this webinar with @futuregencymru.bsky.social where @rspbcymru.bsky.social WWF Cymru & I discuss the bill. www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g78...
youtube.com
Webinar: The new Environmental Governance Bill: what does it mean for public bodies?
YouTube video by Future Generations Commissioner for Wales
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
A thundery afternoon at #Elmey nature reserve full of bees and butterflies feasting on teasel nectar, corn bunting (which seems to be doing well here), hares and a sprinting stoat. @bumblebeetrust.bsky.social is this a moss carder? 🐝 🔎
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
⚡ Big news for Northern Ireland’s environment as an expert review signals the need for major change ⚡ We welcome its calls for stronger environmental governance and enforcement, to better protect and restore the environment. www.daera-ni.gov.uk/sites/defaul...
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Reposted by Ruth Chambers
Green Alliance @green-alliance.org.uk · 12/06/2025
Wednesday's spending review revealed the government's plans for the trajectory of the economy, and was largely more forgiving for climate and nature than many expected. So, how did it perform against our asks? 🤔🚦 Read our full evaluation in this new briefing: green-alliance.org.uk/briefing/was...
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
🐟 Remote electronic monitoring on fishing boats remains on the cards and will become mandatory after a design and testing phase. 📖 There is welcome clarity on Defra’s contributions to the government’s mission boards and who attends these.
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
🔥 Defra is “working towards” a consultation to explore new measures to cut emissions and strengthen local enforcement on domestic burning. 🔋 A consultation is planned on wide-ranging reforms to industrial permitting, including to bring Battery Energy Storage Systems into the system.
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
📗 Defra and DESNZ are working together on the approach to the climate and nature statement promised during debates on @rozsavage.bsky.social's Climate and Nature Bill. This is expected later this year, with a hint it may be aligned with annual reporting cycles on environmental targets.
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
🚀 The revised Environmental Improvement Plan will include delivery information on Environment Act targets. The government’s response to the OEP’s progress report from January will be published this summer, a welcome speeding up.
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Ruth Chambers @ruthchambers.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
🙏 It’s also good to see that the OEP’s funding will be maintained at £8.81m for 2025-26. There is still a shortfall to be addressed but this decision is nevertheless welcome in the current fiscal context.
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