RSPB funding plans to protect green schemes

The RSPB has launched a report outlining novel ways to raise funds to help protect green schemes ahead of big cuts expected in next week’s spending review.

The main proposals in the report, Financing Nature in an Age of Austerity, include conservation credits, green taxes, and a greater role for businesses and communities, with government and businesses working together to protect wildlife.

“The future of some of our most iconic and valuable landscapes is hanging in the balance,” said the report released on Tuesday (12 October).

“The health of these landscapes and the wildlife they support depends on management and maintenance – provided in large part by farmers. The comprehensive spending review is likely to see a cut in environmental funding which supports these areas.”

That cut would add to the £273m annual shortfall in conservation spending recently identified by DEFRA, which the RSPB fears would put the Higher Level Stewardship scheme and Natural England at risk.

“We should not allow the fiscal deficit to result in an even bigger deficit in nature,” said RSPB chief executive Mike Clarke.

The main proposals included a conservation credit scheme, whereby farmers restoring habitats would earn credits, and trade them with developers.

A controversial green tax system would levy taxes on pesticides, peat and fertilisers, to change farmers’ behaviour and reduce diffuse pollution.

The report also called for private sector funding, whereby businesses could improve efficiencies through environmental schemes, and partnerships within society could play a key role in conservation.

“We won’t give up on nature just to balance the books,” said Mr Clarke. “We want to help find solutions with UK governments and business to achieve economic stability without sacrificing the species we share our countryside with.”