The UK announced an international package to protect and restore nature across the world, as well as a new plan to protect 30% of land by 2030, yesterday, (Tuesday, October 29), at the COP16 biodiversity conference in Columbia.
The target to protect 30% of land and sea is a cornerstone of global efforts to halt the decline of biodiversity and to create new areas for wildlife restoration within countries signed up to the 30by30 ambition.
The government worked with farming groups and nature organisations to establish the criteria required for land to constitute toward 30by30 in England.
As it stands, approximately 7.1% of English land currently counts towards the target.
To ensure this criteria is applied consistently throughout England, the update also confirms that Sites of Special Scientific Interest will only count towards 30by30 if they are in favourable or recovering condition.
COP16
Environment secretary, Steve Reed, speaking at a meeting of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People at COP16, said:
“Nature around the world is declining at an alarming rate. At COP16, we have put Britain back on the global stage to support nature’s recovery.
“The UK is calling for high ambition and momentum to reach our international targets to protect and restore the natural world.”
Analysis is now being undertaken to identify further land which may already meet criteria, and to understand where action and support is needed to accelerate progress.
A 30by30 pilot is planned for later this year, and the government will work with partners to develop a delivery strategy in 2025.
Yesterday’s announcement follows the appointment of Ruth Davis as the first special representative for nature, alongside Rachel Kyte’s appointment as special representative for climate, a role abolished by the previous government.
“It is vital that we halt and reverse the decline of Nature. Our planet’s web of life is fundamental for sustaining our health, wealth and security and further declines in the health of the natural world will undermine growth and well-being, threaten water and food supplies and diminish our resilience in the face of a fast-changing climate.
“We must take urgent action to restore nature in England at every level, and the criteria for delivering 30by30 is a welcome step which translates the ambitions of our international commitments into meaningful action on the ground,” chair of Natural England, Tony Juniper, said.
Chief executive at the Wildlife and Countryside Link, Richard Benwell also spoke about the 30by30 initiative:
“As COP16 nature talks progress in Colombia, the UK is showing real rigour in its approach to 30by30.
“Now high-standard accounting must be matched by high-speed delivery. There’s a credible risk that Governments spend years adding up what should “count” toward 30by30 without actually improving the world.
“We welcome the new commitment to a 30by30 delivery strategy, which must begin without delay. Faster farming reform, spatial planning for nature’s recovery, and large-scale public and private investment will be the hallmarks of an effective delivery plan to meet the target,“ Benwell added.
Preserving nature domestically and abroad is paramount to the government’s environmental agenda, which aims to address the twin threats of climate change and biodiversity loss.
It builds on existing nature restoration efforts, including the rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan and new delivery plans to meet targets on air quality, the circular economy and water standards.
Legislation has been implemented to curb pollution in waterways from failing water companies as well as the introduction of a ‘Flood Resilience Taskforce’ to increase the construction of flood defences and the planting of trees to protect communities against the impact of extreme weather events.