The UK government has today made a landmark pledge to safeguard at least 30% of England's land for nature by 2030 – a crucial step in combating climate change and halting species extinction. This ambitious plan, backed by nearly £40 million in new funding, sets out a clear strategy for protecting the country's precious landscapes.
The accelerated '30by30 delivery plan' takes on added urgency as England faces its third heatwave of the year. By guiding farmers, land managers and local partners to identify areas ripe for improvement, the government hopes to transition nature recovery from aspiration to concrete action. A new interactive story map will also enable individuals to make informed decisions about land management.
The £40 million investment will be targeted at England's 10 National Parks and 34 National Landscapes, where it will be used to scale up initiatives like the Big Chalk Nature Recovery Fund. This project focuses on reconnecting chalk and limestone landscapes across 20% of England, facilitating wildlife movement and recovery.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds highlighted the significance of this plan, saying recent extreme weather events underscored the government's commitment to tackling climate change and restoring nature. Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband echoed these sentiments, warning that climate crisis poses an immediate threat to public health, economic stability, and essential services.
Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, hailed today's announcement as a 'game-changer' for nature recovery in England. He described the 30by30 commitment as a 'shared national mission' critical to global conservation efforts, expressing hope that it will spark collaboration to reverse decades of nature loss and enhance climate resilience across the UK.