EU referendum: Make the environment count when you vote ‘in’ or ‘out’
Blog post by WWT's Director of Conservation, Dr Debbie Pain:
Few people will have escaped the daily debates about the risks and benefits of leaving the EU. We seem to have heard a little bit from informed experts, based on analysis of the evidence, but rather more based on conjecture - and it’s sometimes difficult to disentangle the two.
Such discourse is important, but most of us would probably prefer to hear a bit more about the evidence rather than the rhetoric. As well as missing evidence, there are also missing issues: we’ve heard a lot about immigration, trade and business, but so far the environment has barely figured in the debate.
In this we’re missing an incredibly important issue – and one that could have massive repercussions not only in our lifetimes but for future generations. Our countryside, home to the wildlife we cherish, is important not only for its own sake, but also for health and sustainable development.
We’re hearing more and more about the many benefits that wild nature provides to us. A few wetland examples include protection from drought and floods, natural systems for cleaning water, carbon sequestration and storage, food and shelter and psychological well-being. Protecting and restoring nature is not just good for the environment, it’s also good for us, both physically, in terms of sustaining truly ‘green’ growth, and mentally.
It’s important that we all make an informed decision on whether to leave or stay in the EU – and the environment should play a key part in that decision making.
This week, the Institute of European Environmental Policy (IEEP) launched a report that examines the EU’s track record on the environment, and how things could change if Britain were to leave the EU. IEEP is an independent not-for-profit research institute. This report was commissioned by three environmental NGOs (RSPB, WWF & the Wildlife Trusts). Well done to them for helping provide the evidence base that will help us all to make one of the most important political and environmental decisions of a generation.
So what does the report say? Well, we can never know for sure exactly what will happen to the environment if we leave the EU, but the report certainly highlights the risks.
Wildlife is in trouble and neither wild nature, nor the threats to it, respect national boundaries. We have to work together, across borders, to meet the massive challenges faced by our shared natural environment. One important thing that the EU does is to provide a level playing field in terms of competitive advantage. Because all of the countries of the EU have to conform to agreed environmental standards, individual countries cannot gain an economically competitive advantage by lowering their environmental standards.
The IEEP report concludes that “Britain’s membership of the EU has, on balance, delivered benefits for our natural environment that would be hard to replicate if we left”.
By contrast, we haven’t so far seen any detailed analysis presenting a convincing argument that leaving the EU would benefit the environment. If the IEEP report is correct, is Brexit a risk worth taking?
On both sides of the debate, politicians need to make clear in the run up to the election how they will ensure that our environment will be protected and restored. We need further improvements to policies like the Common Agricultural Policy if we stay in the EU, and we need to know with some level of certainty what measures will be put in place to restore the environment should we leave the EU and to guard against the serious environmental risks identified in the IEEP report. If this is of concern to you, please write to your local MP. Below is a draft set of questions that you could ask.
We will each make our decisions about whether to vote to remain in or leave the EU based upon a wide range of factors. Some issues will be more important to us than others, and the key ones for us as individuals will probably swing our votes. I hope though that we hear more high quality evidence-based arguments, like those presented in the IEEP report, on all of the issues in the run up to the election.
It’s not for me to persuade anyone how to vote – that is a very personal decision. But please, if you care about the environment, make it a part of your decision making on the 23rd June.
Dr Debbie Pain, Director of Conservation
Key questions for campaigners on both sides of the in-out EU debate. (Taken from ‘The EU & Our Environment’ A summary of the IEEP report – The Wildlife Trusts, RSPB, WWF)
- Protecting nature - existing EU legislation on species and habitats is widely recognised as setting (trans-boundary) standards for nature protection that are essential for halting and reversing declines. Yet a recent review of the relevant legislation says we should do more to implement the laws. How will you make sure that such standards are maintained and that protection is enhanced?
- Climate change and energy – greenhouse gas emissions have declined and renewable energy increased through actions taken by the UK, EU and globally. It is vital that the UK keeps a strong, influential global voice in this crucial area. How would you plan to exercise international leadership in the future?
- Pollution, air quality and recycling – our air, water and soil quality has improved over recent decades thanks to EU regulation. How would you make sure the UK remains active in setting standards nationally and across borders?
- Farming – Agriculture has been identified as one of the greatest pressures on nature, with some farming methods and financial subsidies putting huge pressure on the environment across the EU. What is your vision for a more environmentally responsible future for agriculture here in the UK?
- Fishing – despite legislation to protect the marine environment and the recent reforms to EU fisheries policies, our seas and some important fish species are still under substantial pressure. How would you protect our sea life and help our fish stocks recover?
- Sustaining natural capital – environmental regulations play an important role in protecting the natural capital assets upon which our well-being and prosperity ultimately depend. How would you work to ensure that such regulations are designed and implemented in a way that supports progressive businesses by keeping standards high and avoiding unnecessary costs?
