Reversing biodiversity loss

As chair of the APPG on International Conservation Barry hosted a hybrid summit to hear the perspectives of ministers, parliamentarians, ambassadors and high commissioners from a number of countries on issues affecting conservation, finance and the upcoming Conference of Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15), which is putting the financial mechanisms to reverse biodiversity loss to the centre of negotiations.

Picture credit: Graeme Williams/ICCF

Delivering resilient floodplains for nature and tackling climate emergency

Barry chaired an APPG for Nature parliamentary reception, held with the Floodplain Meadows Partnership, aimed at highlighting the challenges for realising the potential of floodplains.

Floodplains can deliver a whole suite of public goods if allowed to do so. Flood management, agricultural production, biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, water quality improvement, sediment management – plus a wealth of cultural and aesthetic services.

The need for these services will only increase as the climate changes.

Read more about the event on the CIEEM website here

Photos by David McKibbin for CIEEM

Barry contributes to Briefing on Forest Protection Measures on the Proposed Environment Bill

This briefing organised by the APPG for International Conservation hosted a virtual Briefing for Members of Parliament on the Forest Protection Measures in the Proposed Environment Bill ahead of the Report Stage debate.

The event hosted by Chris Grayling MP provided an opportunity for Members of Parliament to engage with stakeholders from corporate and NGO sectors on the due diligence aspects of the Environment Bill and how the Bill could strengthen protection of forests internationally.

You can watch Barry’s contribution below.

Barry chairs virtual panel on the State of Conservation Post COVID-19

The ICCF hosted a virtual panel discussion for Parliamentarians in the UK arranged by the APPG for Zoos and Aquariums, the APPG for International Conservation and the APPG for Nature.

A panel of expert conservationists discuss the wide ranging impacts of the pandemic on all aspects of conservation work, from landscape restoration to captive breeding. The discussion was originally to be chaired by Andrew Rosindell MP, Chair of the APPG for Zoos and Aquariums but Barry was able to fill in last minute for the event.

Barry gives opening remarks at the International Legislators' Summit "Protecting Nature: the Road to Kunming"

The virtual summit took place on Wednesday, 28th October , the day that the CBD Conference would have closed in Kunming, China, prior to its postponement due to Covid-19. The summit provided an opportunity for world leaders to set out their priorities on biodiversity as we build to the CBD COP in China, as well as the Glasgow Climate COP.

Barry chaired the event and gave the opening remarks to a panel that included Parliamentarians and Ministers from around the world.

You can watch the full event here.

Barry visits Chester Zoo as Co-chair of APPG for International Conservation

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Barry went with a cross-party group of MPs to visit Chester Zoo.

Parliamentarians have demanded changes to the way Government is supporting zoos and aquariums through the coronavirus pandemic, in a forceful letter signed by 11 MPs and peers. The letter, which you can find below, organised by the APPG for Zoos and Aquariums and the APPG for International Conservation, is concerned that the financial devastation of the pandemic will hit international conservation efforts at a time Government is pushing forward a ‘world-leading’ environmental agenda.

Barry said: “The IPBES report could not be clearer. Biodiversity is declining at a faster rate than at any time in human history. The life support mechanisms upon which human life on earth depend are being unplugged one by one. Conservation has never been more important and zoos are at the forefront of that work. COVID has disrupted all this and government must act now to keep these vital conservation programmes alive.”

On the recent visit to Chester Zoo, members of the APPGs learned about the Zoo’s many conservation projects, from Asian songbirds to black rhino.

BIAZA members normally receive over 35 million visitors each year, the majority of which falls between spring and summer. This essential income goes towards the high cost of animal care and crucial wildlife conservation.  

Theo Clarke MP, Co-chair of the APPG for International Conservation said: “I appreciate that the zoos and aquariums sector is facing a very difficult situation due to Covid-19. I am asking everyone to support their local zoos by visiting them. By doing this, not only will you enjoy a Covid-secure day out but at the same time you can make a real difference to the future of wildlife across the world.”