UK Government commits to managing 30 per cent of land for nature

The Trust and members of Wildlife and Countryside LINK respond to the UK Government’s commitment to manage land for nature by 2030.

In September 2020 The Prime Minister announced a commitment to protect 30 per cent of the UK’s land by 2030.

This announcement stated 26 per cent of land in England is already protected as a result of a designation (e.g. a National Park or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and that an additional four per cent would be protected by 2030 to support the recovery of nature. Whilst the announcement concerned England, the Prime Minister is expected to work with devolved administrations to agree a UK-wide approach.

A response, published by Wildlife and Countryside LINK, supported by the John Muir Trust, welcomed the 30 per cent of land protected for nature by 2030 target but challenged the statement that 26 per cent of land in England, whilst protected, is being protected for the recovery of nature. Not all land that is currently designated is specifically designated for nature and, even where a nature designation exists, this is not always an indicator that nature is recovering or in a good condition.

However, in their published response, members of Wildlife and Countryside LINK state that a 30 per cent target for land managed for nature’s recovery is still achievable by 2030 and suggest how this can be achieved: through the completion of a network of protected sites for nature; the adaptation of the role of existing landscape designations so they support nature recovery; and through land management measures that can provide long lasting protection from harm and support nature’s recovery.

You can find the paper below.