Effects of climate change on natural ecosystems at centre of Lords debate

On Thursday 16 January, members of the House of Lords considered the growing challenges of the effects of climate change on natural ecosystems and the role of nature conservation in combatting global warming.

Debate

Lord Teverson (Liberal Democrat), former chair of the EU Environment Sub-Committee, put forward the debate. 

This was a general debate. During debates, members put their experience to good use to discuss current issues and draw the government's attention to concerns.     

Members speaking 

Members speaking in the debate included:

Lord Curry of Kirkharle (Crossbench), former trustee, Tyne Rivers Trust
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat), vice president of the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers
Lord Randall of Uxbridge (Conservative), vice-president, Fauna and Flora International
Baroness Young of Old Scone (Labour), vice president of conservation charity, Flora & Fauna International.

Opening the debate, Lord Teverson said:

'We face a number of tipping points that we must avoid: the disappearance of the polar ice caps, the movement of ocean circulation and the survival of the lungs of the planet.'

Lord Curry of Kirkhale added:

'Even if all farmers were to actively engage in trying to restore habitats and re-establish ecosystems, we may never recover some species due to other factors, including climate change, rising temperatures, urbanisation and, I may say, the increase in predators.'

Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour), Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, responded on behalf of the government:

'Through £15 million in grants, so far we have backed 86 pioneering projects to develop new business models that generate revenue from nature recovery, through carbon storage, cleaner water or enhanced biodiversity.'

Get involved 

Watch and read the debate  

Catch up on Parliament TV or read the Lords Hansard transcript.

Explore background information  

Find out more about the issues the debate covers in the House of Lords Library briefing.
Learn more about how the House of Lords checks and challenges government.

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