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Government’s watchdog highlights next Environmental Improvement Plan as “make or break” for wildlife, climate and people

16 January 2025

  • Office for Environmental Protection warns that progress is largely off track in every goal area for the environment
  • Nature groups urge Government to “scale up, speed up, catch up and keep up” if they are to meet legally binding 2030 nature recovery target
  • Organisations warn that the next Environmental Improvement Plan will be a “make or break” moment

Today’s (16 January) progress report from the Office for Environmental Protection has highlighted that in every area efforts to restore nature, make a sustainable future for farming, clean up pollution and protect our cherished landscapes are largely off track. Even on air quality where progress had previously been more positive the pace has slowed down. Environmental groups are warning the Government that the new Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) will be a ‘make or break’ moment for British nature.

Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said:

“Nature’s watchdog has its hackles up and the clock is counting down on the Government’s legal duty to halt wildlife decline. There have been real signs across Whitehall that this Government is serious about environmental improvement, but now is the time for action. The Spending Review must dedicate more funds for nature and wildlife-friendly farming, planning reforms must dedicate more space for nature, and agencies across Government need to kick into delivery mode. There’s still time for this Parliament to end in a historic celebration of nature recovery, rather than end in court. Hard decisions in the next few months will be make or break for Labour's environmental promises.”

The report highlights five key areas where progress is needed:

  • Supporting farmers to transition to nature-friendly farming.
  • Giving more protection to key nature sites, including national parks and Marine Protected Areas.
  • Bringing more of a focus on resource use into plans to develop a circular economy.
  • Reconciling competing demands for land, including planning and development, with nature restoration.
  • More effective regulation to enable nature-friendly development such as green infrastructure & housing expansion.

ENDS

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