Tony Juniper

What is the gravest ecological challenge? Global heating, mass extinction, pollution? My new book, ‘Just Earth’, published by @BloomsburyBooks & which is out in March, suggests it’s actually social inequalities.

@MattRCBrowne @DanicaPriest @Sam_Dumitriu Goodness me. 7 times over budget. Was it a bird or a fish that did that? I’m sure it wasn’t cackhanded project management, or having an endless budget funded by the French Government, or anything like that.

@Sam_Dumitriu The FT have recently reported on EDF's Flamanville project is 7 times over budget and 14 years behind schedule. As is Hinkley. EDF are the problem across the board, not nature measures. EDF want to distract from this. Sam, who refuses to disclose how he is funded, does this.

NEW: Natural England are set to delay Hinkley Point C by insisting on even more measures to protect fish. A two-year delay to Hinkley Point C Unit 1 would mean about 24TWh less clean firm power on the grid, between 2-4bn cubic metres more gas burnt, and between 4-8m tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere. Even though EDF have spent £700m on fish protection, including a £50m acoustic fish deterrent that is 93% effective, regulator Natural England wants them to do even more. This is likely to involve creating a salt marsh on nearby farmland. This could take years. samdumitriu.com/p/natural-engl…

@Sam_Dumitriu I’ve just done some research of my own & have decided not to engage further with Britain Remade on Twitter. electricityinfo.org/news/regulator…

To be clear, I am not working for EDF and Britain Remade does not take corporate funding. We campaign solely on what we think is important for improving living standards. I have, of course, asked EDF questions about the site, have once visited the HPC site, and would love to again. That is the full extent of our relationship. Can you actually address my point now? (Your blog does not.)

@JimmynotP @Sam_Dumitriu Seems like.

@Sam_Dumitriu @TonyJuniper I would take that as a yes, then.

@Sam_Dumitriu Our response is in the piece I sent you. Could you please address mine? Are you working with or for EDF?

@TonyJuniper Can you address my point?

@Sam_Dumitriu We have a close working relationship with EDF & are working this through with them. Might I ask please if you are working with them in any capacity, as an advisor or on communications?

With all due respect, I find your organisation's blog obsfucatory. But, I think it's worth continuing the dialogue because it highlights something Ministers and MPs need to read. The core matter is that EDF need a permit and you have an effective veto of that permit. From all available information, your view is that the evidence provided for the AFD (and other mitigations) isn't sufficient to persuade you that the impacts are fully mitigated. Therefore they need to secure compensation, which is likely to involve saltmarsh creation near the site. It is unclear how much saltmarsh is required. From all the information I've seen, creating salt marsh is time-consuming when farmers don't want to sell their land. If compensation in advance is required, then that is likely to mean HPC's 2030 start date is missed (because works dependent on the permit would start in 2028). In other words, unless HPC commits to providing compensation (salt marsh or something else) or can produce evidence showing that the AFD is even more effective (this may be possible admittedly, though potentially not timely), then this permit is unlikely to be granted. There are two possibilities. It could be the case you acting disproportionately (little benefit for large cost) and under different leadership (or guidance) would make a different decision. Alternatively, you may merely be applying the law correctly. It is just that the law is an ass and leading to outcomes unintended by lawmakers. The Govt appear to believe the disproportion story. That's why they are consulting on new stat guidance, including to screen out de minimis effects. You appear to believe the latter, though I suspect you disagree ~£700m additional spend on fish mitigations is inherently disproportionate. If that is the case, then given most people think £700m on fish is disproportionate, it is a strong case for giving that proposed statutory guidance much stronger legislative weight.

@ecoschemes @NaturalEngland @NE_Northumbria Yes it should. We are trying to organise catchment scale responses using Nature-based solutions, including there in Northumberland, but it’s complicated (multiple land managers, many policies, data challenges & more).

@TonyJuniper @NaturalEngland @NE_Northumbria catchment management should be on everyone’s mind

Mats of algae smother the sand flats of Budle Bay, Northumberland. It’s a big problem, fuelled by nutrient pollution from land & wastewater. @NaturalEngland is working with farmers across the catchment to cut down nitrogen reaching the sea, including in settling ponds like these.

@markrwilliamson That will be a very welcome relocation for Merthyr, if a blow for Cambridge. At least they haven’t gone to Vietnam or China!

From company: Relocating to South Wales will “significantly reduce operating costs”. Say they have been unable to secure “suitable, cost-effective premises” locally around Cambridge allowing them “to continue operating in an efficient and financially sustainable way.” 2

NEW: Marshall Land Systems set to relocate its UK production facility from Cambridge to Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales. Have had this confirmed. Plan is for a phased transition beginning this summer. 1

Guy Hands has expressed strong commitment to sustainable business, so it’s surprising to see this. I’m sure once he knows about it he will instruct the cattle business to take a different path, to be the Nature positive enterprise that it could be.

@Dowellenough @curlewcalls Another species highly vulnerable to disturbance is Oystercatcher (this is also at Scolt Head). Volunteers & seasonal wardens speaking in friendly tones with dog owners is making a huge difference.

@Dowellenough @curlewcalls One target species for this NNR, & among other things work to avoid disturbance by dogs (which is now a big issue compared with years ago), is Ringed Plover. Took this pic in 2023 at Scolt Head NNR, Norfolk

H/t @curlewcalls

@CABS_REPORTS Excellent work you are doing

A scouting mission this week on Ponza, Italy shows poaching is plummeting, but the fight continues. A repeat offender was caught with a freezer full of protected migrants - including 14 scientifically ringed birds. Our pressure works. But one trap is still one too many.

To Lindisfarne NNR with the @NaturalEngland team to see efforts for breeding shorebirds. Public engagement & long-term monitoring vital for success. It’s not glamorous or high profile, but positive results being achieved with very modest public investment. Well done everyone.

From white storks to beavers to white-tailed eagles - Natural England Chair @TonyJuniper on @BBCr4today on the joy of bringing species back. Full interview here from 2.53.45 bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0…

@RossCherrington @stuartpengs @NaturalEngland Yes. Fish. Much smaller and easier to carry.

@TonyJuniper @stuartpengs @NaturalEngland But will go for the easy meal

White-tailed Eagle’s to be released at Exmoor. @NaturalEngland will closely monitor progress, including economic impacts. Birds released at the Isle of Wight found to eat fish, seabirds & carrion & attract many tourists, so have been positive for economy. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

@stuartpengs @NaturalEngland It might help. Apex predators can sometimes suppress mesopredators, which are a big problem for Curlew

@TonyJuniper @NaturalEngland Exmoor, once thriving with curlew, thought to have been 40 pairs, now their calls are just memories there. One single bird seen there in 2024. Tell me now, how will the release of WTE reverse that? This is 'conservation' done on the cheap. A superficial distraction.

@stuartpengs @NaturalEngland Agreed. It does though assist at times to express the effects in such terms.

@TonyJuniper @NaturalEngland Profitability is a poor metric for the 'value' of conservation.