Minister needed to pass environmental legislation

A minister is required in the Treasury who is able to help develop environmental legislation, it has been said.

Paul Wilkinson, head of Living Landscape for The Wildlife Trusts, has suggested that having someone who understands the "true value of the natural environment" would be a positive step.

He stated that the minister would be able to champion environmental conservation across government - a move which he regards as an "important step in terms of nature conservation".

His comments come following the release of Globe International's Natural Capital Action Plan earlier this week, which proposed that a position within the Finance Ministry should be created that focuses on the management of Natural Capital.

The group stated that the figure would be able to regulate the use of green resources and the country's use of natural capital, as well as oversee the pursuit of any developments to green technology.

Mr Wilkinson added that "anything that raises awareness of the benefits of the natural environment to society … has to be a bonus".

Posted by Claire Manning