"The area of England protected effectively for nature is continuing to decline, according to data from the country's largest coalition of wildlife organisations, as experts say the government is allowing habitats to deteriorate. The government is under a legal obligation to protect 30% of land and sea in the UK for nature by 2030, a pledge made in 2020 by the then prime minister, Boris Johnson."
"At the moment, however, 2.83% of England is well protected for nature, 2.4% of Wales, 4% of Northern Ireland and 12.6% of Scotland. This gives an average of 6% of the UK as a whole, which is well below the target. The area of England effectively protected for nature has declined from 2.93% in 2024, according to analysis by Wildlife and Countryside Link."
"We can only be confident that 2.83% of England's land is effectively protected and well managed for nature. This is a decrease from 2.93% in 2024 and 3.11% in 2023. This decrease is a result of a deterioration in the reported condition of some SSSIs, rather than a reduction in extent. 33% of SSSIs are in favourable condition in 2025, compared to 38% in 2021 and 39% in 2017."
Only 2.83% of England is effectively protected and well managed for nature, down from 2.93% in 2024 and 3.11% in 2023. The UK averages 6% protected overall, with 2.4% in Wales, 4% in Northern Ireland and 12.6% in Scotland, far short of the legal obligation to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030. Just 33% of SSSIs are in favourable condition in 2025, compared with 38% in 2021 and 39% in 2017. The deterioration reflects poor site condition and slow designation of new areas. Proposed planning and infrastructure legislation risks 5,000 nature sites.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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