Experts outline new vision for Exmoor at Spring Conference

The Government’s objective is to improve the quality of the environment and see a net gain in its value over the next 25 years, and a Natural Capital Committee has been set up to advise on how this can be achieved.

Two world-leading experts, Professors Dieter Helm and Ian Bateman, chairman and member of the Natural Capital Committee respectively, explained how it was important that the environment is recognised as part of the fabric of the economy, otherwise it would continue to lose out to other pressures, such as population growth, major housebuilding and other infrastructure development.

Professor Helm stated that natural capital was everything that nature gives us for free. Certain building blocks had to be put in place to prevent further decline in environmental assets such as wildlife, water, soils, and beauty, and instead to maintain and increase their value. 

He envisaged a new role for national parks such as Exmoor, saying the authority now needs to enhance its five-year Management Plan, prepare for the end of the Common Agricultural Policy and compile a database of its natural assets and budget for capital maintenance. 

“Crucially,” he said “we must continue to build the case for enhancement so that the next generation inherits this extraordinary place.”

An explanation of how nature can be valued in monetary terms was given by Professor Bateman, director of the land, environment, economy, policy institute at Exeter University. He emphasised that some goods and services provided by natural assets had a market value, others did not.

Rachel Thomas, chairman of The Exmoor Society, said: “Exmoor is well-placed to take forward the natural capital approach with its wealth of landscapes, of moorland, woodland, coast, rivers and valleys and farmland and the wide range of goods and services they provide. The onus is now on Exmoor to present a strong case of its overall value to people locally, nationally and for future generations.”