The Government has announced a rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) to be completed by the end of the year to deliver its legally binding targets to save nature.

The announcement comes as the government publishes the Environmental Improvement Plan Annual Progress Report. This covers the actions taken under the previous government to deliver the EIP between 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 and reveals that dire state of the natural environment.

The all-species indicator has shown an overall decline to around 69% of its starting value in 1970. In Great Britain, 16% of species are threatened with extinction. Beach litter remains abundant on UK coastlines, with plastic items constituting over 88% of the total litter collected.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has issued a statement saying the Government will develop a new, statutory plan to protect and restore the natural environment with delivery plans to meet each of the ambitious Environment Act targets. This will focus on cleaning up waterways, reducing waste across the economy, planting millions more trees, improving air quality and halting the decline in species by 2030.

The review will engage with stakeholders across environment and nature, farming, resources, waste and water sectors, working hand in glove with businesses, local authorities and civil society across the country to develop new ambitious plans to save nature.

Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed, said:

“Nature is dying.

“Britain is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world. Our animal species face extinction. Our precious landscapes are in decline. Our rivers, lakes and seas are awash with sewage and pollution. Air pollution continues to plague our towns and cities.

“Nature underpins everything – the economy, food, health and society - but we stand at a moment in history when nature needs us to defend it.

“That is why today we begin to chart a new course. Working with civil society, business and local government, we will develop an ambitious programme to turn the tide and save nature.”

The Government said it is committed to protecting and restoring nature and delivering the Environment Act targets, describing the review as an important step in turning the page on nature recovery and will provide the foundations for delivering these targets.

This includes the Government’s manifesto promise to expand nature-rich habitats such as wetlands, peat bogs and forests so people can enjoy and wildlife can thrive, including on public land.

The announcement comes as the government publishes the Environmental Improvement Plan Annual Progress Report. This covers the actions taken under the previous government to deliver the EIP between 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 and reveals that dire state of the natural environment.

Dame Glenys Stacey, Chair of the Office for Environmental Protection, commented:

"We welcome a rapid review of the EIP to make sure it can drive environmental protection and improvement at the scale and pace that is needed to address deeply concerning trends, and with the transparency that the sector and others need in order to fully play their part."

Click here to download The Environmental Improvement Plan 2023