Consultation & Inquiry Responses
We regularly respond to government consultations and parliamentary inquiries on a range of environmental and scientific topics, individually or in partnership with other organisations. We focus on synthesising and communicating the relevant ecological evidence, and representing the views of the ecological community.
Get Involved
Submitting high-quality responses relies on the expertise of our members. If you would like to contribute to consultations and inquiries, please register on our Interests and Expertise Database, or contact our Policy Manger.
UK's role in Arctic sustainability
House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee Inquiry
April 2017
(412 KB pdf)
Our response focused primarily on highlighting the significant environmental changes that are taking place in the Arctic, across both terrestrial and marine ecosystems, predominantly as a result of climate change.
Building our Industrial Strategy
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Consultation
April 2017
(609 KB pdf)
We contributed to the Royal Society of Biology’s response to the Government’s consultation on the Industrial Strategy Green Paper. Of relevance to ecology, the response highlighted the need for the Industrial Strategy to consider natural capital, and suggested potential areas for investing in ecological research.
Research Integrity
House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee Inquiry
March 2017
(339 KB pdf)
Our response was developed in collaboration with our Publications Team, and highlighted the role that learned societies and scientific publishers can play in supporting greater research integrity. Key issues include improving peer review, supporting effective data management, and enhancing reproducibility and repeatability of research. We also supported the Royal Society of Biology’s submission.
2016
Forestry in England
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Inquiry
October 2016
(347 KB pdf)
Our response was developed in collaboration with our Forest Ecology Special Interest Group and highlighted the important role of our forests in delivering a wide range of benefits to people, the need to balance economic exploitation with conservation, and key research gaps and future priorities.
The Future of the Natural Environment after the EU Referendum
Environmental Audit Committee Inquiry
September 2016
(483 KB pdf)
Our response highlighted the risks and opportunities of leaving the EU, including the potential to introduce a more effective agri-environment support system focusing on delivery of ecosystem services in a strategic manner.
Leaving the EU: implications and opportunities for science and research
House of Commons Science and Technology Committee Inquiry
August 2016
(469 KB pdf)
We contributed to the Royal Society of Biology’s response, which highlighted the impact that the vote to leave the EU is already having on UK science, and the importance of continued international collaboration, including free movement for researchers and students and the need to secure continued association with Horizon 2020 and its successor programmes.
The Teaching Excellence Framework: technical consultation for year 2
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Consultation
July 2016
(461 KB pdf)
We contributed to the Royal Society of Biology’s response, which highlighted major concerns with the proposed Teaching Excellence Framework, including an over-reliance on unsuitable metrics, a rushed timetable for implementation and a significant level of administrative burden.
Science Communication
House of Commons Science and Technology Committee Inquiry
March 2016
(417 KB pdf)
We contributed to the Royal Society of Biology’s submission to this inquiry, highlighting examples of our work and that of members, and raising specific points around the need for public engagement to be embedded within research evaluation, the need for a diversity of scientists to be represented in the media, and the importance of broad access to school-level enrichment activities.
Stern Review of the Research Excellence Framework
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Consultation
March 2016
(234 KB pdf)
We contributed to the Royal Society of Biology’s response to the call for evidence.
Scottish Pollinator Strategy
Scottish Natural Heritage Consultation
March 2016
(224 KB pdf)
Our Scottish Policy Group submitted a response highlighting where the latest scientific evidence could be added to the proposed strategy, emphasising the need for clearer objectives and better monitoring to ensure success.
We also supported Scottish Environment Link’s response.