Overemphasis on 'climate crisis' in Government Plan...says conservation group

Tuesday 10 November 2020

There is a “disproportionate and inaccurate over-emphasis on climate crisis” in the next Government Plan, according to the head of a marine conservation group.

Kevin McIlwee, the Chairman of Jersey Marine Conservation, believes that Government departments “favour projects that avoid controversy and appeal to armchair environmentalists resulting in minimal effect and limited success.”

Mr McIlwee made his comments in a submission to the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel, which is reviewing the latest Government Plan, which sets out its spending priorities from next year to 2024.

Referring to a commitment in the plan for the Government to spend £120,000 to "extend protection of species, habitats and specifically trees, which are important carbon sinks", Mr McIlwee said: “This statement does not reflect a balanced, informed decision that focuses on the most effective strategies.

“Key seabed habitats are substantially more efficient and effective carbon sinks. The sea generates huge quantities of oxygen. 

“Although potentially a much more in-depth report was generated, in the summary the entire focus appears to be on trees. Our seagrass and species rich diverse habitats have a significantly greater ability to absorb CO2 and filter the water column.”

Pictured: Mr McIlwee believes that a “fear factor” has been generated around Asian hornets.

And addressing a reference in the Government Plan that money will be spent "to control the spread and establishment of a range of invasive and non-native species, including Asian hornets, sea squirts and Japanese knotweed etc", Mr McIlwee said: “The Asian Hornet threat is serious but the fear factor has generated a great deal of public attention while a number of invasive or environmentally damaging species grow exponentially without any attention or management strategy.

“The Island has created its own ‘Killing Fields’ through planning decisions, limited control of farming, construction and land reclamation. This provides invasive species with an advantage over the Island’s endemic faunal population. 

“Practises continue that favour alien colonisation while reducing our own endemic species communities ability to maintain a stable population.”

Concluding his submission, he writes: “Ministers considering and voting on these requests need to support and utilise independent investigations and reports to ensure expenditure is cost effective and results in significant environmental benefit.” 

The Environment Scrutiny Panel's final report will be presented to the States Assembly by the end of this month.