International Nature Restoration and Resilience Programmes
Tuesday, 13 May 2025
Contributions
Katie White (Leeds North West) (Lab)Labour
13. What steps he has taken to support international programmes on nature restoration and resilience.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Catherine West)Labour
We cannot address the urgency of the climate and nature crisis without co-ordinated global action. We are supporting nature restoration and resilience in many important ways, including by protecting and restoring forests, working with indigenous people in the Amazon and Congo basins, and supporting vulnerable coastal communities and ecosystems.
Last week marked the 99th birthday of Sir David Attenborough and the release of his powerful new film, “Ocean”. I encourage all Members to watch it. It makes a compelling case for ocean protection as essential to tackling climate change and restoring nature. With the 2025 UN ocean conference in France fast approaching, will my hon. Friend ensure the UK arrives in the strongest position for that conference by ratifying the high seas treaty and delivering our domestic nature restoration goals through measures, including ending bottom trawling in marine protected areas?
Let me wish a belated happy birthday to Sir David. His advocacy for the natural world is truly inspirational. We are committed to ratifying the agreement, and we will introduce legislation to implement it as soon as the legislative timetable allows.
Source: UK Parliament Hansard API. Debate ID: 4921648.