One year on from landmark environment march, only 8% of Brits are confident Government will meet targets to halt nature’s decline

1 July 2025

One year ago, up to 100,000 people took to the streets of central London on 22 June in the largest demonstration for nature and climate in UK history, and the biggest rally in the 2024 election run-up. The Restore Nature Now march united families, scientists, faith groups, celebrities, activists and over 400 organisations – all urging political parties to make the general election a turning point in the fight to restore nature.

But today, new YouGov polling reveals that the public feels nature is in even more jeopardy than it was a year ago. With 41% of the public believing that nature in the UK is more at risk now compared to 12 months ago and only 8% of the public are confident that the current Labour Government will meet targets to halt nature’s decline by 2030 (83% are not confident targets will be met). [1]

Wildlife continues to struggle – with the most recent State of Nature Report showing populations are almost a fifth lower on average than 50 years ago and 1 in 6 British species is at risk of extinction. Data shows that currently only 3.11% of land and up to 8% of sea are effectively protected for nature in England, far short of the 30% international goal the Government has committed to. With many risks ahead for nature, the groups are calling on Government to:

• Rethink planning reform proposals brought forward in the Planning & Infrastructure Bill, which put protected habitats and species at risk of damaging development.
• Boost capacity and powers for regulators like Natural England and the Environment Agency to take swift and effective enforcement action against pollution.
• Prioritise farming reform to deliver more nature-friendly farming agreements, end damaging intensive farming practices, and enforce pollution regulations.
• Stop nutrient, sewage and chemical pollution which continues to harm rivers, lakes and coastal ecosystems with rules to ensure water companies operate in the public interest and strict catchment limits on polluting chemicals across all major sectors. 

The new figures reflect growing public concern that nature is being pushed closer to the brink, and that manifesto promises made in the run-up to the 2024 general election have not been met with meaningful action. The Environment groups say many Government policies remain too weak, delayed or under-resourced – well below what is needed if the UK is to meet its own targets and international commitments.

The Restore Nature Now march had set out five clear demands for prospective politicians: increased funding for nature-friendly farming, stronger rules for polluters, expanded nature protection, a new Environmental Rights Bill, and a fair climate plan to halve emissions by 2030. With clear action gaps remaining across most of these areas.

Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said: "Few issues unite people from every political and social background, every creed and ethnicity as much as our love of nature. That was apparent when an amazing kaleidoscope of green-hearted people gathered to demand that politicians restore our natural world.

“We were united in hope of a greener future. But politicians can’t save nature with wishful thinking. We need action. There’s still a chance to make this the Parliament that finally, finally turns around the tragic and self-defeating decline of wildlife, but time is running out. So, let’s all say it again, while there’s still time. Come on Keir Starmer, Restore Nature Now."

Alice Hardiman, director of campaigns at the RSPB, said: “Last year’s march showed the strength of public feeling, yet UK nature remains in crisis and opportunities to restore species and habitats at scale are being squandered. Crucial 2030 targets to increase species abundance and protect 30% of land and sea for nature are slipping out of reach. Only urgent and decisive action can halt the catastrophic decline of our natural world.”

Matthew Browne, head of public affairs at The Wildlife Trusts, said: “Whilst we fight against the new Planning and Infrastructure Bill which threatens to give the green light to destruction of much-loved wild places and fend off inaccurate rhetoric about planning delays being caused by ‘bats and newts’, our natural world is failing. Environmental charities have more members than political parties – we are a united voice and we need to be heard.”

Liz Pendleton of Extinction Rebellion UK said: "A year ago, London was buzzing with a mix of determination and desperation for nature and climate with people taking to the streets in their thousands to demand urgent action. Now, just 8% of the public trust Government to deliver on nature’s future, and the decline is worsening.

"Governments keep breaking their promises, escalating ecocide and putting all life at risk. Peaceful, nonviolent direct action like the Restore Nature Now march is a crucial step on a pathway we need to walk together to urgently protect the planet by upgrading democracy - including citizens’ assemblies - before it’s too late.”

With low public trust and nature in crisis, the Wild Summit on 11 September 2025 in Bristol will be a crucial moment to unite and demand action again – bringing together nature campaigners, communities and changemakers once more. Find out more here: The Wild Summit

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,126 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 19-20 June 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+)