Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill

My Lords, the noble Lord’s amendment would make it clear that in taking action to conserve, enhance or manage the natural environment, Natural England has regard to the need to contain global warming. I appreciate the noble Lord’s desire to find a form of words on this important, even crucial, topic that we could accept. However, I have to disappoint him. As I said at Report, the Government expect Natural England, in common with all other public bodies, to play an active role in combating the effects of global warming, which is a huge issue for our time. Given the serious effects that global warming will have on the natural environment of England, I am absolutely confident that Natural England will have regard to this need, so far as it is able, in the exercise of its functions—the point made by the noble Lord, Lord Chorley—for conserving, enhancing and managing the natural environment. So why can we not accept the amendment? It comes back to the role of Clause 2(1), where this amendment is now—for the first time, I believe—laid, in defining Natural England’s purpose. Clause 2(1) is the general purpose—the core purpose—of Natural England. Far from being a preamble to paragraphs (a) to (e) of Clause (2)(2), it is the touchstone against which all Natural England’s actions must be judged. The paragraphs are merely examples of things that are contained within the general purpose. Clause 2(1) also plays a crucial role in communicating Natural England’s job to a wide range of its customers and other interested parties. It will certainly be the most quoted clause of the Bill. It will probably appear inside the front cover of every Natural England publication, in exhibitions, videos and university text books, among other places. I understand that that is precisely why the noble Lord wants to get a reference to global warming here. But there are a very large number of things which Natural England must or may have regard to. While the need to contain global warming would be high up anybody’s list, we cannot accept that it should be the sole factor that is elevated to a position at the heart of Natural England’s core purpose. If this amendment was carried, that would be the result. Our reservations are heightened by the wording used. ““Containing”” global warming is the key international challenge—the Kyoto protocol territory. Natural England will be able to make a more than useful contribution through the way it runs its operations, its comments on development plans and so on—the sort of decisions that the noble Lord, Lord Chorley, was talking about—but it will not be a large player in international development and energy policy. Natural England’s contribution will lie more in drawing attention to the impact of global warming on the natural environment and facilitating its adaptation. I was asked who the lead player is. Defra agencies, such as the Environment Agency and Natural England, of course have an important role. Because this topic is so wide-ranging, however, a government department leads. That department is, of course, Defra. I hope that my brief remarks about the Government’s expectations of Natural England—in having regard to the need to contain global warming—offer some reassurance to the noble Lord. He will be, as all of us will, a key monitor of Natural England’s performance in this area. I am sure he will take us to task if he feels it falls short of its potential. On that basis I invite the noble Lord to withdraw his amendment.