The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will carry out a rapid review of its Environmental Improvement Plan, as it plans the latest overhaul of measures to meet its legally binding environmental targets.
Defra officials will spend the next few months reviewing the EIP before coming up with a new, statutory plan to protect and restore the UK’s natural environment, the department said.
Known as EIP23, the plan was published last year as a revision of 2021’s 25 Year Environment Plan. It includes goals to create and restore at least 500,000 hectares of new wildlife habitats; deliver a clean and plentiful supply of water for people and nature, supported by a roadmap to boost household water efficiency; challenge councils to improve air quality; and boost green growth and create new jobs.
The rapid review, which comes as the environment watchdog warns that the government is “largely off track” for meeting the goals of EIP23, will be completed by the end of the year.
The revised strategy will include delivery plans to meet each of the targets set out in the Environment Act – which include halting the decline in species populations by 2030, halving the waste per person that is sent to residual treatment by 2042, and restoring water bodies to their natural state by cracking down on pollution from sewage and abandoned mines.
It will take input from stakeholders across environment and nature, farming, resources, waste and water sectors, working hand in glove with businesses, local authorities and civil society, Defra said.
The review was published at the same time as the first annual progress report on EIP23, which showed progress against its 10 goals has been patchy so far.
The report found there had been improvements in some the aspects of the natural environment used as indicators for the goals, including a reduction in the emissions of greenhouse gases from natural resources in England and a reduction in consumption-based greenhouse gas emissions in England.
But it also found deterioration in other aspects of the environment in six of the goals, including the “apex goal” to encourage thriving plants and wildlife. There is a legally binding target to halt the decline in species abundance by 2030, under the Environment Act.
There was also slippage against some of the indicators being measured for the goals of clean air; maximising resources and minimising waste; using resources from nature sustainably; managing exposure to chemicals and pesticides; and enhancing beauty, heritage and engagement.
Glenys Stacey, chair of the Office for Environmental Protection, said: “We have found that government is largely off track to meet the environmental ambitions as set out in the EIP.
“We welcome a rapid review of the EIP to make sure it can drive environmental protection and improvement at the scale and pace that is needed to address deeply concerning trends, and with the transparency that the sector and others need in order to fully play their part.”
Earlier this month, environment secretary Steve Reed set out five priorities for this parliament: to clean up rivers, lakes and seas; to; create a roadmap to move Britain to a zero waste economy; to boost food security; to ensure nature’s recovery; and to protect communities from the dangers of flooding.
Announcing the rapid review this week, Reed said: “Nature is dying. Britain is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. Our animal species face extinction. Our precious landscapes are in decline. Our rivers, lakes and seas are awash with sewage and pollution. Air pollution continues to plague our towns and cities
“Nature underpins everything – the economy, food, health and society - but we stand at a moment in history when nature needs us to defend it.
“That is why today we begin to chart a new course. Working with civil society, business and local government, we will develop an ambitious programme to turn the tide and save nature.”