Our nature priorities for the next UK Government

Immense pressure from decades of pollution and habitat loss has driven wildlife into catastrophic decline.

• To reverse the declines of wildlife, more places are needed for nature - the aim is to protect and restore at least 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030
• Stop damage to Marine Protected Areas - putting an end to destructive practices and development.
• Bring wild beavers back to every county.  As the finest wetland engineers, beavers can be a gamechanger in addressing the climate and nature crises.

The UK is ranked as one of the worst countries in Europe for water quality, with pollution beyond legal limits caused by a toxic cocktail of sewage and agricultural pollution.

• Political parties need to address the issues by enforcing the law - sufficient resource to ensure protections and enforce penalties.
• Halve nutrient pollution by 2030 - nature can be part of the solution to get back healthy rivers.
• Deliver stronger protection for chalk streams - over 85% of the world's chalk streams are in the UK: unique rivers with the rarest habitats.

By supporting farmers to shift towards regenerative, nature-friendly methods, farming has huge potential to deliver a green rural renewal.

• Increase the budget for wildlife-friendly farming - ensuring agricultural transition fair to both farmers and the wildlife alongside their farms.
• Halve pesticide use - catastrophic decline of insects has a huge effect on the rest of the world.
• Help farmers reduce emissions and adapt to climate change - supporting adaption and mitigation schemes to aid food production in response to the changing environmental issues.

More than one-third of the population - nearly 9.5 million households in England – are unable to access green places near their home.

• Commit to a cross-Government fund to grow community based health services - nature can play a huge part in wellbeing and economic social care, such as our Feed the Birds scheme.
• A right to a healthy natural environment - by addressing the inequalities in access to nature spaces in local areas.
• Give every child the best start in life - outdoor learning is transformational for children and we need to nurture environmental leaders of the future.

Climate change is driving nature’s decline, and the loss of wildlife and wild places leaves us ill-equipped to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to change.

• Help nature and people adapt to climate change - progressing adaption with nature base solutions and improving habitat networks whilst reducing carbon emissions.
• Protect our blue carbon - recognising, monitoring and protecting blue carbon stores in the marine environment.
• Upgrading energy efficiency for homes - helping to reduce emissions, costs and energy bills whilst reducing wasted energy.