What is the right role and function of regulation in the countryside?  How do we de-bureaucratise the countryside and give farmers and conservationists more freedom to innovate?  How do we deliver our national target for sustainability while increasing the local control and management of the countryside?  What is the role for Defra and its associated quangos to deliver and audit policy, and could some of their functions be performed by other groups or in new ways?  How do we operate during a much tighter financial climate with real pressures on public finances in the years ahead?  In essence, how can we do more with less?

Valuing Nature Fully

Nature offers a store of tangible benefits, the value of which can be easily measured. But, argues Graham Wynne, for every straightforward economic benefit there are many more benefits which cannot be so easily quantified. So how do we truly place a value on these intangible benefits so they can be preserved and enhanced?

Graham Wynne, RSPB - 24/07/2009 Have your say

The Market-Led Approach

The potential for markets to be used to protect and enhance biodiversity and the landscape has gained much attention. But what is the right way to implement a market-led approach, and what is the role of government? Beyond Carbon's Richard Burge outlines his thoughts.

Richard Burge, Beyond Carbon - 20/07/2009 Have your say

A Comprehensive View of the Countryside

We are all demanding more from our land and the pressures of climate change are placing a further burden. The market and R&D are key to meeting these challenges and, as Henry Aubrey Fletcher argues, land managers are also part of this solution.

Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, President of the CLA - 23/07/2009 Have your say

Restoring the Balance

With the Government unlikely to hit its biodiversity targets legislation and regulation is required. But, argues Dr Tapper, when drafting legislation it is conservation, not protection, that should be prioritised.

Dr Stephen Tapper, Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust - 08/08/2009 Have your say

Can Biodiversity Offsets and Conservation Banking Help the British Countryside?

With major pressures on our small island, from the need for housing and renewable energy to the pressures from infrastructure development is there any hope for the countryside? Yes, argues the ecosystem markets expert Kerry ten Kate - and conservation credits may hold the key.

Kerry ten Kate - 20/08/2009 Have your say

The Countryside Demands

Thomas Lingard of the Green Alliance sets out the various demands we put on the countryside which present a number of diverse challenges. The move to a low carbon economy should, he argues, address these issues to drive a renaissance in the countryside.

Thomas Lingard, Green Alliance - 04/09/2009 Have your say

Conservation Credits - A Way Forward

Environment Bank was established to facilitate the delivery of mitigation and compensation schemes associated with planned development. Here they explain the value of a system of conservation credits, or habitat banking, to achieve these aims.

Environment Bank - 08/09/2009 Have your say

A New Agenda for Environmental Regulation

In a speech on environmental regulation at the E3G Offices in Brussels, Shadow Environment Secretary, Nick Herbert argues for a new approach to regulation that properly measures its costs and allows the adoption of a new market-based approach. He calls on Member States to incentivise the 'right behaviour' so people and businesses can meet the environmental challenges of the future.

Nick Herbert MP, Shadow Environment Secretary - 29/09/2009 Have your say

Biodiversity and Development - Can You Have both?

In the face of biodiversity loss and failures in our current system David Denman of Delta-Simons environmental consultants makes the case for a market led approach to involve developers in the process of biodiversity protection and restoration

David Denman, Delta-Simons - 22/10/2009 Have your say