Companies are being asked to take action to help look after the environment in a Government White Paper that will be debated by MPs.
The White Paper, which looks at the future of England's natural environment, lays out a series of ways businesses can make a difference.
The paper said: " We want to make the UK a more flexible, forward-thinking place to do green business, and enable businesses to play their part. There are no short-cuts to creating a green, growing economy, but it will bring tremendous long-term benefits. We know the Government can’t bring about these changes alone, which is why we’re looking to business to work with us."
Among the ways businesses may be able to make a difference are:
• Set up a business-led task force to look at new ways for UK businesses to trade in green goods and services;
• Promote dialogue with business about the role of both Government and companies to protect natural capital, through the Green Economy Council and Products Research Forum;
• Provide more information on BusinessLink about managing natural capital impacts;
• Publish a Roadmap to a Green Economy, giving businesses more long-term certainty about the direction of future policy;
• Publish a new practical guide to help businesses report on their natural resource impacts, to give greater assurance to customers, investors and shareholders;
• Improve the data available to companies about their natural resource impacts – such as the use of ‘embedded’ water in products;
• Support joined-up action locally by business to promote a green economy and capture the value of nature – through Local Enterprise Partnerships and new Local Nature Partnerships;
• Improve the way we account for natural capital on the nation’s balance sheet, putting this alongside GDP;
• Create an independent Natural Capital Committee to ensure the value of England’s natural capital is part and parcel of our economic planning.
Click here to read more about businesses and the White Paper
Woodland Trust reaction to White Paper
Despite welcoming much of the White Paper the Woodland Trust is concerned there are no concrete targets for woodland expansion.
Sue Holden Chief Executive of the Woodland Trust said: "There is much to welcome in this White Paper. We are very pleased it recognises the need to substantially expand woodland cover so that we can all enjoy far more of the benefits which woods and trees are uniquely placed to deliver.
"It is also good to see the White Paper acknowledges the Read Report's recommendation of 10,000 ha of new woodland per annum and the importance of restoring ancient woods damaged by conifers.
"However, the White Paper lacks a target for woodland expansion. All other parts of the UK have set a figure so why not England? The target of creating 200,000 ha of priority habitats is welcome but we think we need 15,000 ha of woodland alone to ensure people and nature can adapt to the challenge of a changing climate.
"Additionally, while we welcome the Paper's emphasis on protection of valuable habitats such as ancient woodland, this is going to require action by other Government departments beyond Defra. It is vital that the new National Planning Policy Framework being prepared by DCLG ensures proper protection for our irreplaceable ancient woodland heritage."
UK annual tree planting falling short
On the back of the White Paper the Forestry Commission has released new statistics showing the rate of woodland creation in the UK has fallen way short of what is needed to double native woodland cover by the middle of this century. Click here to read the full story