To deliver on its legally binding targets to save nature, the Government is embarking on a review of the Environment Improvement Plan (EIP), to be completed by the end of this year.

The review will engage stakeholders across environment and nature, farming, resources, waste and water sectors, and work hand in glove with businesses, local authorities, and civil society across the country to develop new ambitious plans to save the UK’s nature.

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 the EIP between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024 and reveals the state of the natural environment.

How will the government restore our natural environment?

The Government intends to develop a new, statutory plan to protect and restore our natural environment with delivery plans to meet each of its ambitious Environment Act 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.

This review, states the government, 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 promise, as set out in its manifesto, to expand nature-rich habitats such as wetlands, peat bogs, and forests so people can enjoy and wildlife can thrive, including on public land.

What are the five new priorities for saving our environment?

The Government further states it is committed to improving the environment, and the Secretary of State has set out five new priorities for this next parliament:

  • clean up rivers, lakes and seas;
  • create a roadmap to move Britain to a zero-waste economy;
  • boost food security;
  • ensure nature’s recovery and
  • protect communities from the dangers of flooding.

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, and 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

“Nature underpins everything – the economy, food, health, and society – but we stand at a moment in history when nature needs us to defend it. 

“That is why we are beginning 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.”