Today’s blog is written by Meera Inglis, Nature Policy Officer and Carl Bunnage, Head of Nature Policy, for RSPB England, on the latest report from the Office for Environmental Protection. In particular, we look at its assessment of the Westminster Government’s progress on meeting the Species Abundance Target
It is widely recognised that we are in a nature emergency. The latest State of Nature report shows how stark the problem is, with 1 in 6 species across the UK now at risk of extinction. This is the critical decade to halt and reverse serious decline, and we are already entering the middle portion of it. That is why the environmental, and in particular species recovery, targets are so important. But targets alone won’t make a difference. Nature needs action and a clear plan from Government setting out how targets are to be met.
It is damning therefore that the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) in its latest report states that the Government is largely off track to meet its own environmental targets set partly due to the lack of a delivery plan in place for them. Without this plan it’s impossible to know how, and whether, the targets will be met, and whether we are on track. It’s a bit like knowing where you want to go, but having no clear route or means to measure how far along the journey you have reached.
The Office for Environmental Protection (the OEP), was formed shortly after the Environment Act 2021 gained Royal Assent. It is a new public body to protect and improve the environment by holding the Westminster Government to account on its environmental law requirements. As part of this overarching objective, it keeps a close eye on targets including the long term targets required by the Environment Act and their corresponding interim targets within the Environmental Improvement Plan.
The OEP produces an annual review of the Government’s progress towards meeting those targets having carried out a neutral and expert analysis and sought advice from independent specialists.
The EIP was reviewed and republished on January 31st, 2023, in follow up to the 25 Year Environment Plan, produced in 2018. The EIP covers many environmental issues including plans and measures to fulfil the Environment Act targets including the need to halt the decline of species abundance by 2030 (section 3, Environment Act1). It also includes targets to increase species populations by 10% by 2042.
The OEP reported last year on the Government’s progress and on Tuesday Defra published its response to the OEP’s review “Government response to the Office for Environmental Protection’s report on progress in improving the natural environment in England from January 2023”
In addition, last year, the OEP put out a call for evidence as part of its scrutiny process for reviewing the Government’s plans to meet these targets. The RSPB submitted evidence and argued that although we believe these targets are achievable from a scientific perspective, Government needs to act fast to properly fund environmental programs and ensure that environmental goals are integrated across all Departments. You can find this call for evidence, and all of the OEP’s reports, here.
The OEP has now published its latest assessment ‘Progress in improving the natural environment in England 2022/2023, January 2024’ and results show that, once again, the Westminster Government is failing to show how it is delivering on its promise to halt the decline in England’s wild species. In its report last year, the OEP stated that progress on meeting the EIP’s goals was falling ‘far short’ of what is needed. Once again, in its latest report it finds that the Government is largely off-track to meet its stated ambitions, statutory targets and other commitments, and says that it must speed-up and scale-up its efforts to restore, protect and enhance the environment at the level required.
Within the report, Dame Glenys Stacey, Chair of the OEP is clear in what the Government needs to do and urges it to:
“change gear immediately: to provide more, bigger, better and joined-up habitats, to protect and restore species, and, with an estimated 70% of land in agricultural use, to incentivise farmers to maintain good stewardship of the land they occupy.” Dame Stacey also stated that “To succeed, government must speed up and scale up, and together, government plans must stack up so that all can see that the environment is in safe hands.” "Informed by our assessments of trends in indicators and progress, we assessed the overall prospects of meeting ambitions, Environment Act targets and other commitments across the 10 goal areas of the EIP23. We conclude that in seven goal areas government is largely off track, in two government is partially on track, and the tenth area could not be assessed, as the metrics needed to assess progress are still being developed by government.”
“change gear immediately: to provide more, bigger, better and joined-up habitats, to protect and restore species, and, with an estimated 70% of land in agricultural use, to incentivise farmers to maintain good stewardship of the land they occupy.” Dame Stacey also stated that “To succeed, government must speed up and scale up, and together, government plans must stack up so that all can see that the environment is in safe hands.”
"Informed by our assessments of trends in indicators and progress, we assessed the overall prospects of meeting ambitions, Environment Act targets and other commitments across the 10 goal areas of the EIP23. We conclude that in seven goal areas government is largely off track, in two government is partially on track, and the tenth area could not be assessed, as the metrics needed to assess progress are still being developed by government.”
It is clear now that only by setting out a robust and well-resourced delivery plan explaining how these critical Targets are to be met can we have any confidence that they ever will be.
That delivery plan must not just come, but come urgently. We are already into the fourth year of this critical decade. There is no time to waste in putting the plan in place – the longer the delay the harder it will become to reverse the damage to nature. The State of Nature report highlighted the serious decline in species abundance over the last 50 years, and illustrated it not just with data but also through species stories. For example, the report uses the example of the Hazel Dormouse, which has declined by 51% since just 2000. Similarly Skylarks with their iconic summer song have declined in abundance by 56% (1970-2018) with a 10 year trend of 8% decline.
Critically though, it is not too late, and we know that when given a chance nature can bound back.
The State of Nature report and the work of conservation organisations show that species recovery is possible and there are examples of success stories, such as the Red Kite. The Red Kite was persecuted to near extinction in the UK in the early-mid 1900's, but after decades of hard work by conservationists, their numbers are now up to roughly 4,600 breeding pairs. There has never been a time when we have had such a strong scientific understanding of how to effectively support species recovery. But this understanding needs to be supported by a sustained political will, and action to flow from that, if nature is to thrive once again.
The Westminster Government can show its commitment, and back this up with action, by supporting its environmental targets with a clear plan as to how it is to achieve them. Good work may already have been done, but without a plan to act as a benchmark then there is nothing to measure progress against.
Yesterday the Government responded to last year’s OEP report. We’re hearing assurances after assurances but not enough action. This was a chance to explain and clearly lay out how they plan to get back on track and deliver the Environmental Improvement Plan they have set out.
It was disappointing that they failed to grasp the seriousness of the situation and lay out the roadmap. The Westminster Government can’t just set itself legal requirements and count this as progress. It’s time to stop avoiding the issue. Our planet and our wildlife is in crisis and needs action now. Nature Cant Wait anymore.
As an RSPB member and running various ecological and environmental programmes for the past 15 years, two weeks ago I received an Anti Social Behaviour Injunction from Surrey Police and £65,000 costs for "harassing" people by reporting disturbance to nesting birds, bats and removal of ancient oaks. Until enforcement occurs, policies make no difference.
I agree with Wendy. I want the RSPB to take a much tougher stance with government . What detailed action do the RSPB consider should be undertaken to meet these targets. The government do not have a plan because the so called targets are just greenwash.
"We need a plan and to action it". Why are you not giving specific guidance on exactly what action needs to be taken to stop the loss of biodiversity and wild species decline. Clarity of detail is key not endless reports.