Defra

The natural environment is a precious resource. It provides not only the essentials of life – air, water, food and fuel – but underpins our health, wellbeing and prosperity. By protecting and enhancing the natural environment, we can also significantly improve our quality of life.

The natural environment Public Service Agreement (PSA) states the government’s vision for the natural environment is to secure a diverse, healthy and resilient natural environment, which provides the basis for everyone’s well-being, health and prosperity now and in the future; and where the value of the services provided by the natural environment are reflected in decision-making.

The Ecosystems Approach offers a strategic approach to policy-making and delivery on the natural environment through which this vision can be developed. It focuses on maintaining healthy ecosystems and ecosystem services through the development of inclusive, cross-sectoral policy and decision-making at appropriate spatial and temporal scales, where environmental limits are respected, and proper account is taken of the value of environmental systems for the well-being of people.