Remembering Jane Goodall
Tributes continue to arise from across the globe as people and institutions remember the life and legacy of Jane Goodall, who has died at the age of 91. The pioneering primatologist and conservationist was regarded as a world expert on chimpanzees, and her discoveries have revolutionised our understanding of ethology. She will be remembered as a tireless advocate for environmental protection and the animal kingdom.
High Seas Treaty ratified
The High Seas Treaty has now reached its 60th ratification, globally, meaning that it will take effect in January 2026. This important environmental milestone provides the foundation for legal mechanisms to create protected areas in international waters outside of national jurisdiction. Ratification represents a positive step towards ocean protection, however MPA designation is not an absolute guarantee that destructive practices will not be banned within the designated area. The British government’s move to continue the allowance of bottom trawling within UK MPAs demonstrates the apparent malleability of the legislation when governance sees an opportunity to override protection in favour of a perceived profit.
The UK itself is still a long way off ratification, but the government has committed to the introduction of legislation, the first step in the process, by the end of the year.
Ban on deep peat burning
The government has moved to extend the ban on burning vegetation on deep peat. The new legislation means that burning will be banned on all peat that is over 30cm deep. Restrictions are not limited to SSSIs and will cover 676,628ha of deep peat in total – up from 222,000ha under the prior legislation. The ruling has been welcomed by nature groups as a positive step, both towards protection of peatland habitats and tackling the climate crisis.
The Climate Change Act 2008 under threat
Kemi Badenoch has vowed to repeal the Climate Change Act if the conservatives win the next election. The act, which was passed with almost unanimity in 2008, has served as the cornerstone of targets to reduce emissions and mitigate climate change over successive governments. Badenoch has stated that her prospective government would prioritise “growth, cheaper energy, and protecting the natural landscapes we all love”, in a declarative statement that has prompted widespread condemnation from senior conservatives, scientists, economists and businesses. The claims made to support her stance of repeal have been fact checked and reported here.