In a new report, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has called on the UK government to take urgent action to tackle environmental issues in the UK.
The report warns that without swift intervention, the UK risks missing its crucial climate and nature targets.
The UK has committed to protecting 30% of its land and seas by 2030—a pledge known as the 30×30 commitment. However, with fewer than six years left, the nation remains far off course.
Currently, only 3% of England’s land and 8% of its seas are effectively protected, well below the necessary benchmarks.
The new government has an opportunity to reverse nature’s decline and drive progressive change around the country.
Britain’s biodiversity is in dire straits, the IPPR says, with just 53% of its natural diversity remaining. Since 1970, 41% of UK species have seen their populations dwindle, putting the country in the bottom 10% globally for biodiversity. This trend has prompted the IPPR to call for immediate government-led measures to halt and reverse the decline.
The IPPR report outlines a blueprint for restoring the UK’s natural environment, which it views as crucial not only for preserving ecosystems but also for achieving broader climate goals.
Restoring nature, according to the report, is key to reducing emissions, sequestering carbon, and ultimately meeting climate targets.
The proposed plan includes:
- Cracking down on sewage polluters: The report recommends the establishment of legally binding targets and enhanced powers for the Environment Agency to enforce strict sanctions against polluters.
- Supporting farmers: Additional funding is urged to promote environmentally friendly farming practices across England, ensuring that farmers are supported in the transition to greener practices.
- Expanding access to nature: The IPPR advocates for legislation granting a right to roam, expanding the public’s access to the countryside, and enhancing connections with nature.
Joseph Evans, a researcher at IPPR, said: “Britain’s natural landscapes are a source of pride for many of us, but the UK’s nature is in a dire state: biodiversity is failing, species are declining, and many people simply don’t have reasonable access to green spaces.
“The new government has an opportunity to reverse nature’s decline and drive progressive change around the country. Restoring nature must be a cornerstone of the government’s national renewal strategy.”
Responding to IPPR’s report, Dr Sam Sinclair, Co-founder of Biodiversify said: “The cost of taking nature-positive action now is relatively low compared to the much higher costs – and consequences – of stalling for another decade.
“But this report exposes the harsh reality that government is falling behind the business world in taking action. Companies are increasingly alive to the commercial and environmental necessity of restoring landscapes that produce everything from cotton to cocoa.
“We need to see government now doing its part with careful planning to increase access to green space and to create and improve natural habitats. Without that, the UK cannot meet its climate or biodiversity targets.”