The UK government has announced legally binding targets to protect the environment and boost nature, as part of its commitment to leave the environment in a better state for future generations. The targets, which were published following a consultation process that saw over 180,000 responses, will aim to tackle climate change, restore natural capital, and protect landscapes and green spaces.

The targets include a commitment to halt the decline in species populations by 2030, and increase them by at least 10% by 2042. There are also plans to restore water bodies to their natural state by addressing pollution and improving water usage in households, as well as increasing tree and woodland cover to 16.5% of total land area by 2050. The government has also set targets to halve waste sent to residual treatment by 2042 and reduce exposure to PM2.5, a harmful air pollutant. In addition, 70% of designated features in marine protected areas are to be restored to a favourable condition by 2042, with the remainder in a recovering condition.

Speaking about the targets, Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said:

“These targets are ambitious and will be challenging to achieve – but they will drive our efforts to restore our natural environment, protect our much-loved landscapes and green spaces and marine environment, as well as help tackle climate change.”

Marian Spain, Chief Executive of Natural England, added:

“The message is clear: without the ambitious targets to tackle climate change and reverse the long-term decline in nature, we will be unable to sustain the ecosystems on which we rely for our health and our prosperity.”

However, The Wildlife Trusts have expressed disappointment at the lack of ambition in the targets, which they say fail to address key issues such as river health, wildlife declines, and protected sites for nature. According to The Wildlife Trusts, the government’s low ambition defies public opinion and will make it impossible for the UK to meet its international commitment to protecting 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030. The organization is particularly concerned that there is no overall target to improve water quality and no target to improve the condition of protected nature areas. The targets set for wildlife abundance will also fail to reverse decades of species declines, instead allowing recovery to flatline.

Craig Bennett, Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts, said:

“We were told that these targets were delayed to take into account the unprecedented public response to the consultation – but despite 99% of respondents calling for greater ambition to reverse nature’s decline, we’ve ended up with the same low ambition targets that were consulted on. What’s more, the Government has failed to set targets on two of the most pressing issues – river health and protected sites for nature…Failing to set targets to tackle these fundamental issues defies public opinion. Without a target to improve our protected sites, the Government has little hope of achieving its international commitment to protect 30% of land for nature by 2030.”