Government nature targets are off track, warns watchdog

A watchdog has warned the UK government it is off track on legally binding nature targets, as pressure mounts from farming, environmental and climate groups to accelerate action across England.

The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) said in a newly published report that delays in meeting environmental commitments risk undermining wider government objectives.

These include economic growth, climate mitigation, public health and long-term economic resilience.

The watchdog warned that failure to meet nature targets could also threaten progress towards net zero and weaken the country’s ability to adapt to climate impacts.

See also: Government net zero failure blamed for NFU job losses

NFU president Tom Bradshaw said the assessment showed progress had been made, but warned it was not enough.

He said: “The Office for Environmental Protection’s assessment makes clear that, while there has been some progress, the government remains off track in meeting many of its environmental commitments.

“Farmers are ready to play their part in restoring nature, but we need clarity and confidence to do it.

“A strong, secure and profitable food system has to sit alongside environmental delivery, not compete with it.”

Mr Bradshaw called for greater certainty on schemes like the Sustainable Farming Incentive, which should be properly resourced and funded to deliver at scale.

“A multifunctional Land Use Framework, as set out in our NFU Blueprints, would give farmers the direction they need to invest in both food production and nature.”

He added that a resilient food system was “a necessity” and said the NFU would await the government’s response.

Other responses

Responding to the OEP findings, Tom Cantillon, senior analyst for carbon and land at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), said:

“As the impacts of climate change are being increasingly felt – in our wallets, on our health and in our homes – the notion that protecting and restoring nature is a blocker to growth is simply false.”

He added: “Nature has a vital role to play in going for growth… Nature restoration should have the same urgency as housing and infrastructure. Healthy ecosystems aren’t a blocker to growth, they’re the foundation of it.”

New ECIU analysis found that more than 70% of the woodland required to meet UK climate targets must be created by 2030.

It highlighted the time lag between woodland creation and meaningful carbon sequestration, warning that delays now would push back future climate benefits, nature recovery and flood risk management.

RSPB chief executive Beccy Speight said: “Nature in England is still in freefall, and the UK government is off track on its own legal targets.”

She backed the OEP’s call for increased uptake of nature-friendly farming schemes and improved funding for protected sites.

The Wildlife Trusts’ director of policy and public affairs, Joan Edwards, said co-ordinated action across land use, food production and marine management was needed to address ongoing nature declines and their impacts on food security, wellbeing and the economy.