‘No evidence’ that the Government is on track to meet crucial 2030 nature target - Wildlife and Countryside Link

The Government has claimed that it is “on track to reach its target to protect 30% of UK land and sea for nature 2030”, but green groups reveal today that the department responsible cannot provide any evidence to back-up these assertions.

The 30x30 target is a leading international commitment that the UK spear-headed at COP-15. In reaction to a recent report from Wildlife and Countryside Link on the lack of 30x30 progress from the Westminster Government, which estimated just 3.11% of land and up to 8% of sea are effectively protected for nature in England, Defra stated: “The government is on track to deliver on our commitment to protect 30 percent of land and of sea by 2030.”

Yet in response to a Freedom of Information request to see any assessments, evidence or policy papers detailing progress towards the 30x30 target, Defra could provide nothing. There is recent clear scientific evidence that nature in the UK in fact continues to decline, despite Government’s promises to put nature on a path to recovery by 2030 and in the face of urgent calls from environmental leaders and MPs constituents for greater action.

Dr Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said: “The Government is making big claims on its achievements for nature’s recovery that simply don’t hold up to scrutiny. Given that the 30x30 target is a critical milestone for improving nature it is disappointing, to say the least, that Government is not tracking its progress and can provide no policy route for how the target will be met by the deadline. Coming in the wake of the worrying findings from the State of Nature report and the Government’s volte face on climate action, the sirens sounding for the nature emergency have never been louder. It is vital that all political parties commit to a rapid programme of investment and expansion for important wildlife habitats and protected sites.”