Natural England

Our birthday coincides with the publication of the United Nations Environmental Audit, declaring that the speed of mankind's use of the Earth's resources over the past 20 years has put "humanity's very survival" at risk.

And nearer home, the announcement that the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution is to undertake a study on "Adapting the UK to Climate Change".

We therefore face some immediate challenges:

• The marine environment , that is so much more degraded than the terrestrial environment, and in need of long overdue protection and planning.
• The need to reduce CO2 equivalents by at least 60% and the obvious fact that so many of the decisions taken by Government, by businesses and by individuals, are still flying - an appropriate metaphor - in the face of it.
• The urgent need to manage land in ways that maximize its contribution to well being, to landscape, to carbon efficiency, to flood management, to biodiversity, and to water quality alongside primary uses such as food and timber production.
• The need to urgently tackle the underlying causes of health problems, not just obesity, by giving access to nature as a key component of public health.
• And the need to give everyone a decent home while at the same time providing high quality greenspace and promoting a low energy life style.

These are all issues where Natural England has a crucial role to play and where we shall continue to lead debate, offer advice and issue guidance as the trenchant champion of the environment.

Natural England was established 12 months ago at a time when the environment has never been higher on the agenda - both politically and with the public.

It has been a busy year but it is important to say that, whatever we have achieved this year, could not have been done without the support of our stakeholders and partners. Many of you are in the audience tonight.

In our first year, we have worked hard with Government to improve our natural environment for the benefit of everyone in the country.

It is important ,as the Government's independent adviser on the natural environment, we strike the right balance between wildlife, food production, and the rights and needs of people for housing, jobs, leisure and a decent quality of life.

We can't simply say NO. We need to look for solutions that meet the challenges of the 21st century.

• We have championed the case for adaptation to be included in the Climate Change Bill and are bringing together the evidence base on the contribution that land use could make to reducing our carbon emissions.
• We are working with Defra to deliver a coherent network of Marine Protected Areas, and to give the public the opportunity to access all 4500 kms of the English coast.
• And we are beginning to work with the NHS to use the natural environment as part of the solution to tackling inactivity, obesity, health inequality and help to prevent long term illnesses.

It is vital for Natural England that we do all that we can to connect the public to the natural environment - helping people to understand where their food comes from and how it is produced; showing people what their money pays for on farms; and ensuring high quality coast and countryside and green spaces in more urban areas for people to enjoy and explore.

I would like to end by thanking the Secretary of State and his team of ministers and officials for their help and encouragement.

I also want to thank Helen, her executive Directors, senior managers and staff of Natural England for the superb way that they have responded to the challenges of the past 12 months and made performance the number one priority.

And, finally, to Poul and the rest of the non executives on the Natural England Board, thank you for being brilliant at setting the all important Strategic Framework and taking the message out to our stakeholders and partners.

ENDS

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