2025 Rewilding & Restoring Nature Award Nominees

Monica Lennon has been pioneering ecocide legislation in Scotland. In December 2024, Lennon submitted her proposed Ecocide Prevention (Scotland) Bill, which would make Scotland one of the first countries in the world to criminalise severe environmental destruction. The bill defines ecocide as "unlawful or wanton acts committed with knowle

Monica Lennon has been pioneering ecocide legislation in Scotland. In December 2024, Lennon submitted her proposed Ecocide Prevention (Scotland) Bill, which would make Scotland one of the first countries in the world to criminalise severe environmental destruction. The bill defines ecocide as "unlawful or wanton acts committed with knowledge that there is a substantial likelihood of severe and either widespread or long-term damage to the environment being caused by those acts."

As an Environmental Audit Committee member, Toby Perkins has contributed to scrutinising the government's approach to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), expressing caution over the implementation and effectiveness of these policies. He has emphasised the need for improved biodiversity monitoring and stronger enforcement mechanisms to ensure tha

As an Environmental Audit Committee member, Toby Perkins has contributed to scrutinising the government's approach to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), expressing caution over the implementation and effectiveness of these policies. He has emphasised the need for improved biodiversity monitoring and stronger enforcement mechanisms to ensure that development projects deliver genuine ecological benefits. Perkins has also called for greater international coordination following the UN Biodiversity Summit (COP16) in November 2024.

The Lord Krebs has demonstrated exceptional leadership in strengthening environmental governance through his work on the Environmental Targets (Public Authorities) Bill in October 2024. This groundbreaking legislation establishes a statutory "environmental recovery objective" requiring public bodies to contribute to meeting targets set un

The Lord Krebs has demonstrated exceptional leadership in strengthening environmental governance through his work on the Environmental Targets (Public Authorities) Bill in October 2024. This groundbreaking legislation establishes a statutory "environmental recovery objective" requiring public bodies to contribute to meeting targets set under both the Environment Act 2021 and Climate Change Act 2008. The Bill, introduced to the House of Lords in October 2024, places a specific duty on relevant public bodies—ranging from the Environment Agency and Natural England to local authorities and regulators like Ofwat and Ofgem—to take all reasonable steps to meet these environmental objectives in the exercise of their functions.

As Nature Minister, Creagh has made a significant impact through her leadership on the wild beaver reintroduction initiative in February 2025, describing beavers as "nature's original master builder" and implementing a new licensing system that will allow these ecosystem engineers to return to English waterways after centuries of absence.

As Nature Minister, Creagh has made a significant impact through her leadership on the wild beaver reintroduction initiative in February 2025, describing beavers as "nature's original master builder" and implementing a new licensing system that will allow these ecosystem engineers to return to English waterways after centuries of absence. This carefully managed reintroduction aims to create wetland habitats, reduce flood risks, and boost biodiversity.

Roz Savage has been championing nature protection through groundbreaking legislative action. In January 2025, she introduced the Climate and Nature Bill (Bill 3776) to Parliament, which aims to establish a comprehensive framework for addressing biodiversity loss and climate change simultaneously. The Bill would create legally binding targ

Roz Savage has been championing nature protection through groundbreaking legislative action. In January 2025, she introduced the Climate and Nature Bill (Bill 3776) to Parliament, which aims to establish a comprehensive framework for addressing biodiversity loss and climate change simultaneously. The Bill would create legally binding targets for biodiversity recovery, establish a National Nature Service to create green jobs, and require the appointment of an independent Nature and Climate Commissioner to monitor progress. It would also require the government to develop a strategy to meet biodiversity and climate targets, with specific action plans for different sectors.