Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are participating in the Freshwater Challenge launched at the UN Water Conference on 23 March; and if not, why.

The Government is committed to raising ambition on the environment internationally and at CBD COP15 the UK was at the forefront of efforts to secure an ambitious agreement to protect 30% of the world’s land and ocean by 2030, including through the conservation and restoration of freshwater habitats. Domestically, in our Plan for Water, we reaffirmed our 25 Year Environment Plan and Environmental Improvement Plan 2023 commitment to ensuring at least 75% of our waters are close to their natural state as soon as is practicable. We set out a clear strategy to tackle both water quality and water use – including more investment, stronger regulation and tougher enforcement on those who pollute. We were recently made aware of the Freshwater Challenge and the Government is carefully considering any potential role the UK could play in supporting the initiative.