Photo by Jack B

The UK Government remains largely off track to meet its environmental ambitions and legal obligations, with progress slowing compared to the previous year, according to the Office for Environmental Protection’s latest annual progress report published on 16 January.

The OEP concludes that whilst there have been some areas of improvement, very substantial challenges remain with less progress being made overall compared to the previous 12 months. Government is still largely off track to achieve obligations endorsed by Parliament to significantly improve the natural environment.

Targets assessment

The OEP’s assessment of the prospects of meeting 43 environmental targets and commitments found that government is largely on track to achieve nine, partially on track to achieve 12, and largely off track to achieve 20.

Targets where government is largely on track include specific air pollutants such as PM2.5 and particular sources of water pollution such as phosphorus loadings from wastewater. Targets where government is largely off track span most Environmental Improvement Plan goal areas including those for nature, freshwater and marine environments, and waste.

In terms of the overall prospects of government meeting its ambitions for significantly improving the natural environment, the OEP concludes that in seven goal areas, including the apex goal of achieving thriving plants and wildlife, government is largely off track. In three goal areas, government is partially on track: clean air, reducing the risk of harm from environmental hazards, and enhancing beauty, heritage and engagement with the natural environment.

Window of opportunity closing

Dame Glenys Stacey, Chair of the OEP, said: “The legal obligations, the established statutory targets and commitments, remain and endure. Which is why our independent assessment of progress remains so important. Perhaps, at times of transition and in straightened times, more so than ever.”

She added: “Government must be clear-sighted now and look far enough ahead as well. It must use the resource it already has wisely and in line with its priorities for the environment, whilst also mobilising investment at the scale needed by providing strong incentives, effective oversight and regulation, and certainty.”

The report states that key deadlines are fast approaching. There is still opportunity for this government to catch up and get on track, and to change the trajectory. To do so, urgent and decisive action is needed.

Marine environment failures

The milestone of halting damaging activities in Marine Protected Areas by the end of 2024 will not have been met. Government must speed up action by delivering on overdue Marine Protected Area bylaws and implementing a new UK Marine Strategy.

The report covers the period from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 and provides an assessment of progress towards legally binding environment targets, commitments and goals including those in the statutory Environmental Improvement Plan.

Over-reliance on limited policies

The government is [over-reliant](https://theoep.org.uk/sites/default/files/reports-files/Progress in improving the natural environment in England 2023-2024.pdf) on a handful of policies. Environmental Land Management schemes and the protection of MPAs are essential but will not deliver the desired outcomes on their own. In addition, key targets and commitments do not align sufficiently with the government’s planning for nature recovery.

A lack of strategic plans prevents stakeholders from effectively contributing to environmental improvement. The report identifies that carrying on as before is not going to deliver improvements at the necessary speed and scale. Many long-term targets are unlikely to be met with existing policy.

Eight key recommendations

The OEP progress report makes eight key recommendations for action that will deliver benefits across EIP goals and the government’s five environmental priorities:

Get nature-friendly farming right, with greater government engagement with farmers and landowners being key to improving the environment at scale. Maximise the contribution of protected sites for nature by enhancing and enforcing their legal protection and urgently correcting underinvestment in site designation. Speed up action in the marine environment by delivering on overdue Marine Protected Area bylaws and implementing a new UK Marine Strategy. Set out clear mechanisms for reconciling competing demands for use of land and sea by progressing Local Nature Recovery Strategies, a Land Use Framework, and putting in place detailed catchment and marine spatial plans with appropriate resources.

Political reaction

Environmental Audit Committee Chair Toby Perkins MP reacted: “The fact that, once again, the Government is falling behind to meet environmental targets, or provide evidence of progress, shows the risk of making lofty environmental commitments without effective delivery mechanisms. Time is running out: we have a mere five years to protect 30% of our land and seas.”

He added: “The OEP’s latest progress report paints a sombre picture, but its forensic analysis and its clear and comprehensive recommendations offer a roadmap to improvement to the current Government. Whilst this report details the failure achieved under the last Government, it also poses a considerable challenge to this Government.”

Tom Cantillon, Senior Analyst for Carbon and Land at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, said: “As the impacts of climate change are being increasingly felt, in our wallets, on our health and in our homes, the notion that protecting and restoring nature is a blocker to growth is simply false. Nature has a vital role to play in going for growth.”

He added: “But the time to act is now to reap these benefits. Over 70% of the carbon removal from tree planting comes from trees planted in the next five years. In many ways, this is the tree planting parliament.”

Government response

The UK Government published its response to the report, stating it welcomes the OEP’s assessment and that the watchdog plays an important role monitoring and reporting on progress towards goals in the Environmental Improvement Plan.

The government announced it will publish a revision of the EIP to protect and restore the natural environment, including delivery information setting out how the government will meet the ambitious Environment Act targets. It will be a clearer, prioritised plan for achieving environmental outcomes such as reducing waste across the economy, planting more trees, improving air quality, and halting the decline in species.