North's nature must take centre stage in coronavirus rebuilding plans, report finds

Think tank IPPR North today called for £50bn from Government, over 25 years, to be invested in the North’s nature with a plan put together by local leaders to boost future prosperity.

Researchers said the region’s post-coronavirus recovery would depend on a cleaner and greener environment, with the potential to create jobs, improve resilience and “level up” the economy and public health.

Report author and Research Fellow at IPPR North Jack Hunter said: “Here in the North, we have some of the most incredible landscapes in the world. Nature has defined our history, and shaped our people and our places. Now, it could be the foundation of a greener, fairer and more prosperous North.

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“But much of nature in the North - from our peatlands to our parks - is in a very poor state. As recent flooding and moorland fires have shown, the wellbeing of our natural environment underpins people’s health and wellbeing, and the strength of our economy. Now, in the face of a climate emergency, we risk far graver consequences for us all without urgent and ambitious action.

“We need a determined, pan-regional effort, led by the North’s leaders and backed by government, to invest in nature – as a cornerstone of a successful economy and a healthy population. And that effort must begin today”.

It comes as beauty spots across Yorkshire were inundated with visitors over the weekend despite lockdown restrictions not yet being eased.

North Yorkshire Police made a plea for people to stay away from the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and those enjoying the sun were slammed for the litter left behind when they left.

The IPPR report found projects to restore nature, including restoring peatland, planting trees, and creating new green spaces in urban areas, can bring significant economic, social and environmental, benefits.

These include increased flood resilience, improved air quality, and lower net carbon emissions, as well as the mental and physical health benefits of increased access to nature.

And it found that although the North covers a quarter of land in England it has 70 per cent of all wetland areas, 71 per cent of all moor and heathland, and 28 per cent of all forest.

It was also home to 31 per cent of all water bodies such as lakes and reservoirs in England, and 49 per cent of all water courses, such as rivers and streams.

The report shows that the size and the distinctive qualities of nature in the North of England means that a regional approach to investment is urgently needed.

But researchers warn that for too long, leaders have failed to value Northern nature, leaving the region’s natural assets in a poor condition, and undermining its economic and human potential.

Barnsley Central MP and Sheffield City Region mayor Dan Jarvis said: “The relative lack of access to nature by those in deprived areas and BAME groups makes this an issue of equality and basic social justice as well. Ignoring these issues is a luxury we cannot afford, especially in the difficult circumstances we are now in.”

He added: “We need a Plan for Nature in the North, led by regional leaders, to safeguard our nature, and realise its potential across our region. It is an investment we urgently need to make in our planet, our people and our future."

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said: “"This is even more important now given the impacts of the current crisis on our lives. The opportunity to invest in a greener future – creating jobs and a better environment for nature at the same time – is one that Government cannot afford to miss.”

Nature North, a group bringing together leading environmental organisations working in the North of England, also welcomed the report.

Sarah Longlands, Director of IPPR North said: “Up until this point, the existence of nature has been largely taken for granted in the debate on the northern powerhouse and levelling up. We’ve assumed that air pollution, congestion, loss of habitats and flooding are just inevitable consequences of economic growth.

“As the lockdown eases, we must re-evaluate our approach and build on the North’s natural strengths to help support new jobs and investment in a lower carbon economy and in doing so, held to champion the North’s economic renewal and recovery”.

A Government spokesperson said: “As we rebuild from the coronavirus pandemic, we must continue to shape an economy and society that is cleaner, greener and more resilient.

“We are committed to being a world leader in tackling the environmental crises we face. That is why our ambitious Environment, Fisheries and Agriculture Bills will help leave the environment in a better state than we inherited it.”

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