DR Neil Hudson, MP has pushed for global action to protect the world’s rapidly declining biodiversity by 2030.

The MP for Penrith and The Border made public his support for the ambitious biodiversity goals at an Environment All-Party Parliamentary Group event at Westminster co-hosted by 10 conservation NGOs including The Wildlife Trusts, WWF-UK, RSPB and Woodland Trust.

This comes ahead of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity COP 15 Summit where 195 nations will gather in October to discuss a new global framework to take action to save nature this decade. It is hoped nations will agree to protect at least 30 percent of the world’s land and sea by 2030.

According to a recently published RSPB briefing, the biggest risk to food security in the medium term comes from climate change and the loss of nature.

Dr Hudson has urged for action in multiple policy areas, standing up for sustainable food production, as exemplified by farmers in his Cumbrian constituency. He said: “With COP 15 on the horizon, we have an important opportunity to secure a brighter future for the world’s nature. I really cannot overstate how crucial it is we conserve the planet as a whole and support our rapidly declining biodiversity.

“Having visited a range of farms across the constituency as their MP, I’m really proud at some of the work we are doing to show the positive proactive role that agriculture can play in protecting the environment. This type of sustainable management of our land and seas will be pivotal in meeting our food, climate and nature needs as we move forward.

“I’m under no illusions about the daunting challenge ahead. But this is a chance for the UK to show global leadership in boosting ambitions across the world and committing our international neighbours to a robust and enforceable framework.

“I’ll be keeping a close eye on how these targets are translated into effective domestic policy – seeing real change at home. Protecting nature and biodiversity goes hand in hand with improving food security in the UK – an issue that has come into sharp relief following the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.”

The MP has a strong track record on conservation and the environment.