Speeches by Chowns.

“The Office for Environmental Protection published its annual report today on our progress in protecting the environment. Unfortunately, it is not good news: we are off-track on 20 out of 43 targets, and only five out of its 52 recommendations last year have been implemented. The report, which deals with the period unde…”

“I warmly welcome this ceasefire agreement, and like colleagues across the House, I fervently hope that the Israeli Cabinet will approve it, but I think we all recognise that, while the ceasefire may bring an end to the current extremes of violence, it will not end the conflict. A number of conditions need to be met for…”

“It is good that we are moving in the right direction. Do you not agree, however, that it is concerning that there is still quite a gap between what we anticipate what the Future Homes Standard and ultimately what a net zero carbon building standard will be? Would you not also agree that it is concerning that embodied c…”

“Thank you. I am hearing a somewhat more nuanced and cautious view from this panel than from some members of the previous panel who were fairly bullish about it. The Government have proposed setting up the Nature Restoration Fund. How would you respond to the suggestion that that might be a little bit like sinners buyin…”

“Thank you. I am hearing a somewhat more nuanced and cautious view from this panel than from some members of the previous panel who were fairly bullish about it. The Government have proposed setting up the Nature Restoration Fund. How would you respond to the suggestion that that might be a little bit like sinners buyin…”

“It is good that we are moving in the right direction. Do you not agree, however, that it is concerning that there is still quite a gap between what we anticipate what the Future Homes Standard and ultimately what a net zero carbon building standard will be? Would you not also agree that it is concerning that embodied c…”

“What we are anticipating coming from the Government not taking us to zero, is it?”

“Does the Minister agree that the problem with the way the £35 million was previously supposed to be spent was that it was the opposite of the “polluter pays” principle, because it was essentially a subsidy to the most polluting industry? Will she agree to find £35 million to support nature-friendly farming in the Wye c…”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Dowd. I thank the hon. Member for Monmouthshire (Catherine Fookes) for securing this debate on a hugely important issue that is of deep concern to residents in my constituency of North Herefordshire, which, like hers, is in the Wye catchment. The Lugg, which runs throu…”

“The Government have indicated that they want to shift more towards what I think they call a strategic, more regional approach to nature protection rather than a site-specific basis. Can I ask you, perhaps, Ms Pullinger, first, what you think are the environmental impacts of a shift in that direction in policy?”

“Thank you. Would other panel members like to comment on that?”

“We would be very interested in any suggestions for recommendations.”

“Thank you. I think you raise an interesting point about the analogy with carbon offsetting, but I think there is a crucial difference because whereas global warming is a global phenomenon, nature damage is very much a localised phenomenon. Offsetting is more complex in that context. Ms Lewis, anything to add?”

“Thank you. I think you raise an interesting point about the analogy with carbon offsetting, but I think there is a crucial difference because whereas global warming is a global phenomenon, nature damage is very much a localised phenomenon. Offsetting is more complex in that context. Ms Lewis, anything to add?”

“We would be very interested in any suggestions for recommendations.”

“Thank you. Would other panel members like to comment on that?”

“The Government have indicated that they want to shift more towards what I think they call a strategic, more regional approach to nature protection rather than a site-specific basis. Can I ask you, perhaps, Ms Pullinger, first, what you think are the environmental impacts of a shift in that direction in policy?”

“What we are anticipating coming from the Government not taking us to zero, is it?”

“Doesn’t the manifesto talk about eroding trust?”

“I think that Alex and Sarah have really covered it, but I would just emphasise that there is a great degree of public interest in this topic, as well as interest from parliamentarians, so I think it would be not just well attended within the Chamber but of great interest to the general public, too.”