The Government has announced a rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) to be completed by the end of the year to deliver legally binding environmental targets and save nature.
The Government will develop a new statutory plan to protect and restore the UK’s natural environment with delivery plans to meet each of its ambitious environmental targets.
This will focus on cleaning up our waterways, reducing waste across the economy, planting millions more trees, improving air quality and halting the decline in species by 2030.
The review will engage with stakeholders across the environment and nature, farming, resources, waste, and water sectors, working with businesses, local authorities, and civil society across the country to develop new ambitious plans to save nature.
Our natural environment is declining
The announcement comes as the government publishes the Environmental Improvement Plan Annual Progress Report.
This covers the actions taken under the previous government to deliver environmental targets between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024 and reveals the dire state of the natural environment.
The all-species indicator has shown an overall decline to around 69% of its starting value in 1970. In Great Britain, 16% of species are threatened with extinction.
Beach litter remains abundant on UK coastlines, with plastic items constituting over 88% of the total litter collected.
Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed, said: “Britain is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world.
“Our animal species face extinction. Our precious landscapes are in decline. Our rivers, lakes and seas are awash with sewage and pollution. Air pollution continues to plague our towns and cities.
“That is why today we begin to chart a new course. Working with civil society, business and local government, we will develop an ambitious programme to turn the tide and save nature.”
Commitments to environmental targets
The Government is committed to protecting and restoring nature and delivering environmental targets.
The Secretary of State has set out five new priorities for the government:
- Clean up rivers, lakes and seas
- Create a roadmap to move Britain to a zero-waste economy
- Boost food security
- Ensure nature’s recovery
- Protect communities from dangers of flooding
“We are facing a crisis point…but the work of change has begun”.
Our Secretary of State for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs @SteveReedMP lays out his plan for change. pic.twitter.com/LNxQGezAyZ
— Defra UK (@DefraGovUK) July 8, 2024
This review is an important step in turning the page on nature recovery and will provide the foundations for delivering these targets.
This includes the Government’s manifesto promise to expand nature-rich habitats such as wetlands, peat bogs and forests so people can enjoy and wildlife can thrive, including on public land.
