To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they support the principle of repaying ecological debt to protect future generations. [HL4028]

The Government are committed to achieving the goal of sustainable development which is to enable all people throughout the world to satisfy their basic needs and enjoy a better quality of life, without compromising the quality of life of future generations. Living within environmental limits is an essential part of achieving that goal—respecting the limits of the planet's environment, resources and biodiversity—to improve our environment and ensure that the natural resources needed for life are unimpaired and remain so for future generations.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' Public Service Agreement (PSA) states that the Government's vision for the natural environment is to secure a diverse, healthy and resilient natural environment. To increase our understanding of the value of the natural environment to present and future generations, the Government are supporting a range of initiatives, including the economics of ecosystems and biodiversity study, and a national ecosystem assessment for the UK.