Joan Edwards, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, The Wildlife Trusts, said: 

“We cannot build a stronger economy without tackling the climate and nature emergency. Environmental risks are prioritised in the World Economic Forum’s Global Risk Report and years of underinvestment in nature has left the UK worryingly exposed to economic and environmental shocks. With £21bn investment in roads, tax cuts for domestic flights, and little mention of climate or nature just days before COP26, today’s Budget from the Chancellor completely failed in its responsibility to put the UK on the path to meeting its 2030 targets to restore nature and tackle climate change.

“The destruction of nature has the power to erode our prosperity and undermine our ability to tackle climate change, to produce food, to have enough water, and to remain healthy.  The Dasgupta Review, commissioned by the Treasury, made it clear that nature has been exploited beyond breaking point for too long and its depletion is now threatening the prosperity of future generations. The benefits that nature provides are well evidenced - the responsible thing to do to secure a stronger economy is to urgently invest in its recovery.”