Natural capital was the focus of a backbench business debate at the House of Commons on Monday, 21st October 2013.
The debate was introduced by Graham Stuart MP. He summarised the main findings and recommendations of the first report of the Natural Capital Committee, published in April 2013. He highlighted the importance of the natural environment to economic growth and why the value of natural capital should be incorporated into policy and economic decision making. Speakers included Joan Walley, chair of the Environmental Audit Committee, George Eustice, Environment Minister and Barry Gardiner, Shadow Environment minister.
The recommendations of the Natural Capital Committee were welcomed by all speakers. The debate addressed concerns such as the governance of the radical shift of incorporating natural capital in the UK’s national accounts would bring about, and communicating the concept of natural capital both to the treasury as well as to land managers who are responsible for safeguarding natural capital “on the ground”.
You can watch a recording of the debate on the BBC Democracy Live channel here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/house-of-commons-24614812