Government's Wildlife Targets in England Likely to Be Missed

Jan 14, 2026, 2:51 AM

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The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has issued a stark warning that the UK government is on track to miss its wildlife conservation targets, as outlined in the Environment Act 2021. According to the OEP's report, seven out of ten targets are unlikely to be met by the 2030 deadline, with the biodiversity target, which aims to halt the decline of species such as hedgehogs and red squirrels, facing particularly grim prospects.

The report indicates that important species continue to decline, and the opportunity for meaningful change before the 2030 target has largely passed. The OEP's chief scientist, Robbie McDonald, expressed concern that current government legislation could further jeopardize environmental protections, particularly through planning and infrastructure bills that may allow development on protected nature sites.

Glenys Stacey, chair of the OEP, emphasized the importance of nature in driving economic growth, countering claims that wildlife conservation is a hindrance to economic development. She stated, "Nature has a role to play here, an important role. It is not a blocker to growth, but it enables, drives and protects economic growth.".

The report also highlights increasing risks from environmental hazards, such as floods and wildfires, which have become more prevalent in England. The number of properties at risk of surface water flooding has risen, alongside a decline in the condition of flood management assets.

Despite the alarming findings, some positive actions have been noted, particularly in clean air initiatives and climate policies under the current Labour government. For instance, levels of PM2.5 and other pollutants are reportedly falling, and the government has committed to not issuing new oil or gas licenses in the North Sea.

However, the OEP's findings reflect a broader trend of environmental decline. Out of 59 environmental trends assessed, only 24 were improving, while 16 were deteriorating. Beccy Speight, chief executive of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), called for urgent action to reverse the decline of nature, urging the government to enhance funding for nature-friendly farming and expand protected sites.

The government's commitment to reversing wildlife decline was initially outlined in a 25-year environment plan launched by former Prime Minister Theresa May. However, recent reports suggest that efforts to meet these targets have faltered, with Natural England, the agency responsible for conservation, struggling to monitor and manage protected sites effectively.

A leaked document revealed that Natural England is working towards restoring only 38.7% of England's Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) to a "favourable condition," a target that falls short of the 50% goal set by the Coalition government in 2011. This has raised concerns about the agency's capacity to prevent further extinctions of threatened species, as its budget has nearly halved over the past decade.

The OEP's report serves as a critical reminder of the urgent need for the government to reassess its environmental strategies and take decisive action to protect England's wildlife. As the deadline for meeting these targets approaches, the implications of inaction could be dire for biodiversity and the health of ecosystems across the country.

In response to the OEP's findings, Mary Creagh, the nature minister, stated that the government is committed to restoring the natural environment and has outlined a clear path to achieving its legally binding environmental targets. However, the effectiveness of these plans remains to be seen, as stakeholders continue to call for more ambitious and actionable policies to safeguard England's wildlife for future generations.

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