Written by John Swire
The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has joined a range of business, environmental, academic and professional groups to publish a shared view of how the Government’s planned Environment Bill can “put sustainability at the heart of our economic model”.
The Broadway Initiative brings together a cross-section of stakeholders and nationally recognised experts to generate ideas and proposals to manage the environment post-Brexit. The aim is to advise government on how to enable all parts of society to play their part in achieving long-term objectives for the environment, while meeting society’s needs for food, infrastructure, energy, and products and services.
Other signatories of the Broadway Initiative include the National Trust, Chamber of British Industry (CBI), Federation for Small Businesses (FSB), Water UK, and the Wildlife Trusts. The full list of is published alongside the Initiative’s seven assurances for the Environmental Bill.
CLA President Tim Breitmeyer said: “The Broadway Initiative’s emphasis is on creating a framework for long-term collaborative policymaking which transcends political cycles, policy areas and the traditional fault lines of competing interests. The environmental issues society faces are huge and this new approach will need to work across political divides and be championed by successive governments.
“We’re delighted to be playing our part in these initial discussions. Landowners and rural businesses are vital to this debate as one of the key delivery agents of the 25 Year Plan and our experience as a trusted and constructive partner for government will be key in helping to turn this vision into a reality.”
At a recent meeting with the Broadway Initiative, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond said: “Well-designed environmental standards are vital to sustainable economic growth and the wellbeing of people and our planet. That’s why I’m pleased to be meeting with NGOs and industry leaders today to work together to build sustainability into the heart of our economic model. We need to work with businesses to support jobs and growth in the clean economy as we continue to lead the world in tackling climate change.”
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Michael Gove said: “We have committed to being the first generation to leave our environment in a better state than we found it. Through our landmark 25 Year Environment Plan and forthcoming Environment Bill – the first for more than 20 years – we are putting in place the foundations to make this a reality. But we recognise we cannot do this by acting alone. That’s why I’m thrilled to help bring together this impressive group to find the solutions which will enable us to deliver on our shared ambition.”
Broadway convenor, Ed Lockhart said: “It’s clear that to improve our environment in any fundamental way we need a legal framework that respects the long term nature of environmental challenges and their solutions, and enables businesses to factor the environment into their plans and investments from the earliest stage. The Environment Bill is the moment to make sure that happens.”
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