Government off track to meet environmental targets

The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) is calling for urgent action after its latest report revealed the government is failing to meet environmental targets and is not on course to fulfil its legal commitments.

The OEP, a public body that holds the government accountable for environmental protection, assessed progress on 43 targets.

It found the government is on track for nine, partially on track for 12, and largely off track for 20.

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Dame Glenys Stacey, the OEP’s chair, said: “This government must act urgently and decisively to catch up, if it is to meet its legal obligations.

“Catch up not just by developing plans, but then by fully and effectively implementing them.

“It has several legally binding commitments only a few years away. The window of opportunity is closing fast.”  

Commenting on the report, environmental audit committee chair Toby Perkins MP described it as a “sombre picture” and suggested the report’s recommendations offered a roadmap to improvement.

“Time is running out: We have a mere five years to protect 30% of our land and seas,” he said.

The report highlights the importance of the updated Environmental Improvement Plan in understanding the nation’s challenges and calls for proposed measures, like the land use framework, to be implemented quickly and effectively.

Support for farmers 

NFU deputy president David Exwood insisted that farmers were committed to enhancing and improving landscapes, and working to benefit soil, watercourses and wildlife, but needed effective government support to do so.

“Key to this must be ensuring the Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme is fit for purpose and working for all farm businesses in all sectors, particularly the uplands and tenant farmers, so we can help deliver on those legislated environmental targets alongside sustainable food production,” he said.

“But we need to know whether government has the long-term, flexible budget available to deliver ELMs in England, in order to help restore farmer confidence.

“We estimate £4bn is required to deliver the government’s commitments.”

Soil Association head of farming policy Gareth Morgan said it was “deeply disappointing” that no progress was made in the final year of the previous government.

“We endorse the OEP’s recommendations and particularly the need to accelerate the adoption of nature-friendly farming and encourage significantly more farmers to adopt Landscape Recovery and Countryside Stewardship,” he said.

“We strongly urge the government to deliver the promised land use framework in 2025, to give farmers the certainty and confidence they are demanding, and a revised food strategy to outline its approach to a sustainable food system to mitigate environmental pressures across the food supply chain.” 

Nature-friendly farming 

Beccy Speight, chief executive of the RSPB, said the report highlighted insufficient action to address England’s nature crisis, with significant impacts on ecosystems, the economy, and health.

However, she noted that co-ordinated action, nature-friendly farming and the upcoming Environmental Improvement Plan review can help reverse the decline and restore biodiversity.

“We know what’s needed and with urgent, joined-up action, the UK government can choose to turn things around.

“As indicated by the OEP, with 67% of England farmed, nature-friendly farming is the most powerful way to achieve nature recovery at scale,” she said.