The next government must introduce a nature and wellbeing Act to reverse the decline of biodiversity and natural habitats in the UK, according to 89% of respondents to IEMA's latest pre-election poll.
The idea of a nature and wellbeing Act was put forward by the RSPB and the Wildlife Trusts last year.
The charities believe the legislation would help restore the natural environment as well as contribute to social and political objectives, such as improving people’s health.
The majority (88%) of respondents to the IEMA poll also want the valuation of the natural environment to be given a more prominent role in the decision-making process for nationally significant infrastructure projects, and for next government to increase the responsibilities and resources of the Natural Capital Committee so that it is on a par with the Committee on Climate Change.
Nick Blyth, IEMA’s lead on sustainability, climate change and the natural environment, said: “The UK is in the privileged position of still having a wealth of natural capital which makes a real contribution to our recovering economy.”
He warned, however, that this would only be retained if the incoming government creates a nature and wellbeing Act, he added.
IEMA’s survey also found that 84% of respondents believe the government should create new partnerships between providers and beneficiaries of ecosystem services to generate landscape-scale enhancement for catchments, soils and habitats across the UK.
Only 23% of respondents believe that public authorities are actively addressing their duty to demonstrate regard for conserving biodiversity in all their actions, IEMA found.