Pandemics and Environmental Degradation Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateBaroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
Main Page: Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer's debates with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
(3 years, 6 months ago)
Lords ChamberTo ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the relationship between the emergence of pandemics and environmental degradation.
My Lords, my department has not made an independent assessment of the relationship between the emergence of pandemics and environmental degradation. However, Defra has been fully engaged in the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystems Services work, including the 2019 Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, which highlighted the links between exploitation of nature and emergence of infectious diseases, and the subsequent IPBES workshop report on biodiversity and pandemics, which was published last year.
My Lords, I thank the Minister for his reply. This pandemic is a stark example of exactly what those pieces of research have found: what happens when nature is abused, whether through habitat destruction or the wildlife trade, can wreak stark things for humans. I know that the Minister, through his work with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures, is aware that evaluation and disclosure by corporates and the investment sector is very important, but does he agree that subsequent action is even more important? What lessons would he draw from all the work on carbon issues, so that we move from high carbon emissions to much lower carbon emissions and an ambition for net—
That question is far too long. Can we hear from the Minister, please?