Minister for Nature (): The Office for Environmental
Protection (OEP) has today published its latest report on the
Government's progress in improving the natural environment and a
briefing note on the revised EIP. The OEP plays an important role
in monitoring and reporting progress towards goals in the
Environmental Improvement Plan and 30x30 targets. The Government
welcomes the OEP's latest report and will consider the assessment
carefully and respond to the recommendations in the summer.
Following a review launched in July 2024, the Government
published a revised Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) on 1
December 25. We welcome the OEP's advice in informing the review.
Our revised EIP sets out this Government's steadfast commitment
to the ambitious, statutory Environment Act targets. It is our
roadmap to improve the natural environment and people's enjoyment
of it. It ensures that nature's recovery is a key priority,
fundamental to the Government's approach to growth.
Our EIP goes further than the previous plan. We have a clear plan
and process, with ambitious but achievable goals and targets. We
know the scale of the challenge. We are also matching our
ambition with action.
We are reforming the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) to make
it simpler, fairer and to enable as many farmers as possible to
benefit and to help nature thrive. This will help us meet our
ambitious EIP targets – including to double the number of farms
delivering for wildlife.
Last year marked the highest rate of tree planting in 20 years –
over 10 million trees – and we have started planning two of three
new National Forests.
The Water (Special Measures) Act is already transforming the
water sector for good, with swifter penalties enabled for
environmental offences and new pollution reporting requirements.
Alongside this, over the next five years, £104 million in private
investment will upgrade our water infrastructure and cut
pollution.
We are acting decisively to improve air quality – tackling
pollution at its source to restore nature whilst supporting
communities to breathe cleaner air.
By advancing our circular economy, we are further reducing
environmental harm, turning waste into opportunity and creating
green jobs across the country. Industry estimates that our waste
reforms will underpin £10 billion of investment in new recycling
facilities. Simpler Recycling has now come into effect for all
workplaces with 10 or more full-time equivalent employees in
England, requiring workplaces to separately recycle dry mixed
recycling, paper and card and food waste. We formed a Circular
Economy Taskforce, comprising members from industry, academia,
and civil society across the UK which has undertaken extensive
engagement to ensure that the circular transition reflects the
needs and insights of all involved.
By recognising the pride, enjoyment and wellbeing that people
across the country take in nature, we are boosting opportunities
to access the outdoors – including launching the first of nine
new national river walks on Boxing Day, with the Mersey Valley
Way.
The EIP brings such actions together and explains how they
support each of our Missions. It is a whole of Government plan.
It is only by the Government working hand-in-hand with
individuals, communities, businesses, farmers, public and third
sector organisations that we will deliver the EIP and the
Environment Act targets. Collective action is essential.
The Government remains committed to improving the natural
environment and will continue to work with the OEP to ensure
delivery against our environmental objectives.
