A cross-party group of MPs has called for a tripling of the floating offshore wind target, from 5GW by 2030 to 15GW by 2035, a restoration of 30 per cent of UK saltmarshes and seagrass meadows by 2030, and greater ambitious for nature restoration targets.

The ten point plan for climate and nature sets out a series of policy priorities for the government over the next 12 months, focusing on particularly pressing areas for this year, or where there is an opportunity to build on existing pledges.

One of their priorities is to introduce ambitious nature restoration targets under the Environment Act. The publication of the priorities from the APPG came days before Ministers admitted missing legally binding water and nature targets. The government said its 31 October deadline for setting targets to improve water, air and wildlife would be missed.

Energy Efficiency

In a new 10-point plan, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Environment called for improvements in UK home-energy efficiency and the set up an Office for Carbon Removal, as part of a broad set of plans to shore up the country’s net-zero efforts. The group also wants a tripling of the budget for the Energy Company Obligation, which mandates that energy suppliers must promote measures to improve the ability of low-income, fuel-poor and vulnerable households to heat their homes.

Restoring seagrass and saltmarsh

The report asks for the restoration of 30% of saltmarsh and seagrass and goes on to say ‘To restore 30% of saltmarshes and seagrass meadows by 2030, the government should first rollout a Blue Carbon Strategy, committing to recovery targets in the UK’s 2025 Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Climate Agreement.

The government should fully account for blue carbon in UK carbon budgeting and support ambitious projects to restore saltmarshes and seagrass habitats, through the development of sustainable market finance initiatives with the private sector.’

‘This is our moment to protect and restore nature’

Green Party MP Caroline Lucas, who is vice-chairwoman of the APPG, said: “The UK has become one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world.

“If we are to halt and reverse the perilous decline in nature and destruction of wildlife, then the targets set under the Environment Act must not only be credible and comprehensive but, crucially, delivered.

“With the vitally important global summit of COP15 now just around the corner, this is our moment to protect and restore nature for generations to come.”

The ‘Ten-point plan for nature and climate’ can be read here.