Green groups warn UK risks missing 2030 nature targets

THE UK could miss its 2030 target to restore and safeguard nature by a “country mile” at the current rate of progress, green groups have warned with the release of a new report.

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The UK Government committed to protecting at least 30% of land and sea for nature by the end of the decade as part of the global biodiversity agreement made at the UN Cop15 Summit in 2015.

This means the UK must restore the environment across a network of well-managed, legally protected areas to help tackle the dual climate and nature crises.

But research released on Tuesday found that only around 6% of UK land is effectively conserved and managed for nature, which means the country is one-fifth of the way towards the 2030 target with five years left to go.

The report from the Wildlife and Countryside Link (WCL), which represents more than 90 environment groups, said the percentage of land in England that has been protected for nature and is in good condition is just 2.83%.