The new government must invest in rural communities, says CPRE

The new Conservative government must invest to deliver a countryside that is thriving, accessible and that makes a significant contribution to tackling the climate emergency, according to CPRE, the countryside charity.

Crispin Truman, chief executive of CPRE, the countryside charity, said:

‘We’re urging the new Conservative government to invest in rural communities to ensure the countryside can thrive and that those communities are not left behind. The new government needs to address urgent challenges such as providing genuinely affordable homes, supporting rural businesses, and investing in de-carbonised public transport.

‘We are also urging the new government to tackle the climate emergency, which is one of the biggest threats the countryside faces. The Conservative manifesto was light on environmental policy and of all the main parties, it had the least ambitious target to achieve net zero emissions. That’s why we’re calling on Johnson and his team to take a much bolder approach to green issues.

‘Next year, the UK will host COP26 in Glasgow. It is vital that the new Environment Bill demonstrates world-leading ambition to protect our environment and reduce waste. That means strong regulation, significant investment and demanding targets. We also want to see the new Agriculture Bill delivers payment of public money for public goods.

‘Johnson claimed in his speech this morning that he wanted the UK to be the greenest and cleanest in the world. Therefore, plans must be announced in the first 100 days of his new term to invest in renewable energy, invest in public transport, improve the energy efficiency of our homes and shift farming from a carbon source to a carbon sink.

‘CPRE stands ready to work with the new government to achieve these vital changes.’

Notes to editors

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