Eamonn Ives: Our government must spend more on preserving global nature - the people will profit

Our Researcher, Eamonn Ives, has written for the Telegraph ahead of London’s hosting of the Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference 2018.

In his article, Eamonn references Bright Blue and the Conservative Environment Network’s joint report, Saving global nature: greening UK Official Development Assistance, and calls for the Government to use the international aid budget to establish a new ‘Global Nature Conservation Fund’, and spend at least £1 billion a year to help protect, restore, and enhance some of the most iconic parts of the natural world, including mitigating the illegal wildlife trade.

Here’s an excerpt:

This week, the eyes of the international conservation community will be on the UK. The Government should continue with the good work it has been doing on the IWT, such as the ivory import ban, and commit to supporting global nature conservation more on a par with our international counterparts.

Read the full article here.

Over 130 MPs call on Prime Minister to adopt net zero emission goal

Our Senior Researcher, Wilf Lytton, has been quoted in an article on BusinessGreen.

Specifically, Wilf was referenced the polling results included in our recent report, Hotting up, which showed the high levels of public support for further climate action from the Government.

Read the full article here.

Maurice Golden: Ring the changes on sustainable growth

An abridged essay written by Maurice Golden MSP from Conservation nation, Bright Blue's recent collection on environmental conservation, has been published by the Scotsman. In his essay, Maurice argues that sustainability should be at the heart of the United Kingdom’s industrial strategy.

Here's an excerpt:

For businesses, the implementation of circular economic models will improve their ability to control supply chains and manage long-term costs, turning inputs into assets. New business models will be encouraged around renting, leasing, servitisation, remanufacturing, and reuse.

Read the full article here.

Conservation Nation: Bright Blue calls for conservation to be made cross-departmental priority

The publication of Bright Blue's recent essay collection, Conservation nation, has been covered by BusinessGreen.

In an article on the collection, Eamonn Ives, a co-editor of the collection is quoted saying, "despite it being a cross-departmental issue, the current approach to conservation policy is not seen or treated in this way". He further goes on to remark that, "the UK government needs to promote nature conservation at home and abroad using all the levers of government in a joined-up way". 

Read the full article here.

Voters want Gove to clean up his act on air pollution

Our Researcher, Eamonn Ives, has written for Red Box in the Times, on Bright Blue's recently released air pollution polling. In his article, he mentions how younger respondents were more likely to agree that a party pledging to cut air pollution would be more likely to get their votes. 

Here's an excerpt:

This anxiety about the impact of air pollution is not without political ramifications. Our polling found that a significant minority of adults (40%) were of the opinion that they would be more likely to vote for a political party which promised to cut air pollution. When looking at voters aged under 40 years old, however, this rises to 54%. In fact, generally, the younger a respondent was, the more likely they were to agree about the political importance of air pollution.

Read the full article here.

Wild animals are dying off rapidly. A new law could halt this destruction

Our Senior Associate Fellow, Ben Caldecott, has been published on the Guardian.

In his article, he calls for the UK to enshrine crimes against wildlife in future legislation which has been mooted to tackle international criminal misconduct, such as a UK version of the American Magnitsky Act. 

Read the full article here.

UK on path to ‘zero carbon’ economy

Our Head of Research, Sam Hall, was quoted in an article in the Telegraph on British voters' attitudes towards a net zero carbon emissions target. He said "demonstrating international leadership on climate change" would be a politically expedient move for the Conservative Party in its desire to attract younger voters, without compromising votes from existing supporters. 

Read the full article here.

Claire Perry to instruct Committee on Climate Change to scope net zero goal

Our Head of Research, Sam Hall, has been quoted in an article on BusinessGreen in response to the announcement made by the Minister of State for Energy and Clean Growth, the Rt Hon Claire Perry MP, that the United Kingdom should explore tighter carbon controls and a goal of having net zero carbon emissions. Our polling, which showed that 64% of UK adults agree the UK should aim to cut its emissions to zero over the next few decades was also cited.

Sam said that by "adopting a net zero target, the government is therefore seizing a great opportunity to appeal to key younger voters without trading off existing voters". 

Read the full article here.

Green Shoots Of Recovery: Why The Conservatives Are Embracing The Environment

Our researcher, Eamonn Ives, has written for HuffPost about the launch of the Government's 25 Year Environment Plan. In the article, he referenced how many of the policies contained in the Plan have been championed by Bright Blue, including the coal phase-out and a rethink of rural payments once Britain leaves the Common Agricultural Policy. 

Read the full article here.

Conservatives go green with pledges on animal welfare and the environment

Bright Blue's senior research fellow, Sam Hall, was quoted in an article in i News about the Conservative Party's recent form on environmental policy. Speaking about the Environment Secretary, the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Sam praised the "renewed energy and passion" he has brought to the brief. Sam further added:

These are big important policy issues. I do also think the politics of it is very clever. It's in line with the traditional Conservative principles around defending the natural inheritance for the next generation, but also it very much appeals to younger voters.

Read the full article here.