APPG for the Ocean recommendations echoed in Government’s Environmental Improvement Plan 2023

Earlier this week, the Government published the Environmental Improvement Plan 2023. This plan is a revision of the 25 Year Environment Plan which was published 5 years ago, and builds on the vision of the 25YEP with a new plan with details on reaching goals on improving the environment.

The APPG for the Ocean was delighted to see that three of the eight recommendations that were made in the APPG’s inquiry report into blue carbon, have been included in the Government’s EIP2023!

The EIP2023 highlights that “where needed, all offshore MPAs will have byelaws in place by the end of 2024” which are put in place to “protect sensitive species and habitats from bottom towed fishing gears”. This echoes the APPG’s report recommendation to remove trawl or dredge zones in UK MPAs, as these can result in destruction of marine ecosystems and the disturbance of seabed carbon stores.

The EIP2023 also includes a priority to “create Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs)” and to “designate the first HPMAs this year.” This is fantastic news for the protection and preservation of ocean and blue carbon habitats, and fulfils one of the APPG’s report recommendations to establish HPMAs.

The APPG for the Ocean is also very pleased to see that there are plans between DEFRA and BEIS to “address key questions including filling the evidence gaps that currently hinder inclusion of saltmarsh and seagrass habitats into the UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory”. This is a hugely important step for the future of blue carbon habitats monitoring and targets, and we’re pleased to see this echo the APPG’s report recommendation to include more aspects of marine carbon storage and sequestration into UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory.

The APPG for the Ocean is delighted with the EIP2023 and to see several of our key recommendations supported throughout. Crucially, it is fantastic to see recognition of the important role that blue carbon habitats - specifically saltmarsh and seagrass - play in supporting adaptation, resilience to climate change, and carbon sequestration, and we are pleased that the Government is recognising the significant benefits that blue carbon habitats offer.