The joint nature and climate statement is a welcome first, but it’s far from enough

14 July 2025

Today the Government made its first annual Climate and Nature statement and associated Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss report and Environmental Improvement Plan annual progress report, which show that the UK is lagging behind on international climate and nature targets. Government’s own figures confirm it is off-track on 20 of 43 statutory environment targets, including the flagship goal to halt species decline by 2030

Richard Benwell CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said:

“On this scorching day where the shade of a tree is at a premium, it’s good to see Government recognise that climate and nature are inseparable and indispensable. Now Government should redouble action to meet the twin priorities of halting dangerous climate change and restoring wildlife.

“On the global stage, the UK’s plans for meeting the Paris and Kunming climate and nature agreements should be interwoven and co-produced by Defra and DESNZ, not sit separately like they do now.

“At home, the speed and scale of investment in renewables and the energy system must be matched by action for nature, which so often plays second fiddle. With a third of wildlife lost in the UK since 1970 and many of the most important natural carbon stores degraded, Government must make wildlife-friendly farming profitable, make sure the planning system protects nature, and ensure water companies never profit from pollution.

“The joint nature and climate statement is a welcome first, but it’s far from enough. This Parliamentary moment should become an annual checkpoint – as regular and significant as the Budget Statement – where Ministers tell the nation whether we’re on track to protect our environment and, if not, what they will do to ensure that the future of nature and the climate are in safe hands."