The government has published a new delivery plan to accelerate progress towards protecting 30% of England’s land for nature by 2030, alongside funding for protected landscapes, climate adaptation research and new national forests.
The 30by30 Delivery Plan, announced today by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), sets out how England will contribute to the global “30×30” commitment agreed by more than 190 countries to halt biodiversity loss and tackle climate change.
According to government analysis, around 32% of England’s land either already meets, or has the potential to meet, the criteria for the 30by30 target. The new plan introduces a tiered framework intended to help farmers, land managers, protected landscape teams and local authorities identify where land is already delivering for nature, where improvements are needed and where investment will have the greatest impact.
A new land use story map will also be launched to support decision-making on land management and nature recovery.
The government has committed almost £40M to help England’s 10 National Parks and 34 National Landscapes expand nature recovery initiatives, including projects such as the Big Chalk Nature Recovery Fund, which aims to reconnect chalk and limestone habitats across around one-fifth of England.
Environment secretary Emma Reynolds said the UK’s third heatwave of the year underlined the need to invest in climate resilience and environmental restoration.
“Recent scorching heatwaves and record temperatures are a stark reminder of why this government is investing in tackling climate change and restoring nature,” she said.
“Together with farmers, landowners and local partners, we are delivering a more resilient and thriving environment.”
Energy security and net zero secretary Ed Miliband said the impacts of climate change were already being felt across the UK.
“These record-breaking heatwaves show once again that the climate crisis isn’t a future threat,” he said.
“The impacts are here with us today with extreme heat having an impact on our nation’s health, economy and public services.”
Alongside the nature recovery programme, the government announced £30M for climate adaptation research. This includes £13M for the Met Office to develop the next generation of UK climate projections and decision-support tools, and £17M to establish a What Works Centre for Climate Adaptation to strengthen evidence on improving national climate resilience.
The government also confirmed that the Forest of Marston Vale has been appointed as development partner for the second of its planned three new national forests, located within the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor.
The announcement forms part of the government’s wider commitment to increase woodland creation while improving biodiversity and public access to nature.
A new Youth Climate and Nature Panel will also be launched this week, bringing together around 15 people aged 16 to 25 from across the UK to advise ministers on climate and environmental policy.
Natural England chair Tony Juniper described the plan as “a turning point for nature recovery in England”, saying it moves the country “from ambition to real, tangible progress” and provides a framework for organisations to work together towards protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030.
The government said the package of measures is designed to improve climate resilience, reverse biodiversity decline and support delivery of its wider environmental commitments.
Like what you’ve read? To receive New Civil Engineer’s daily and weekly newsletters click here.
