Concerns over biodiversity have emerged amid questions about the Jersey government’s environmental commitments. The Environmental Oversight Committee said a ministerial draft did not adequately consider the natural environment, while Professor Liz Bentley of the Jersey Climate Council suggested that reaching net zero by 2050 could require annual Climate Emergency Fund spending of £10m, rather than £4m.
Concerns over environmental policy
Deputy Chair Hilary June, who chairs the Environmental Oversight Committee, said the minister’s draft of the Common Strategic Policy did not take the natural environment into consideration.
The panel has worked with Le Hegarat on amendments intended to address the issue.
Jeune said biodiversity needed to be “front and center”.
Cost of reaching net zero
Professor Liz Bentley, a member of the Jersey Climate Council, suggested that Jersey would need to spend £10m a year through the Climate Emergency Fund, rather than £4m, to reach net zero by 2050.
The board recognised the financial pressures facing the government, but said delaying action on climate change would cost more in the long term.
“You need to look at it over decades, not just a four-year budget. It’s about long-term investments.”
Mr Le Hegarat said ministers needed to be “very cautious” about spending.
She could not say how much it would cost to reach net zero by 2050, but said investing in the fund was a good way forward.
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Source: www.bbc.co.uk