Conservation groups rally to demand bold action from UK to support global biodiversity commitments
Chester Zoo helps to set the stage for UK MPs to debate on commitments to nature!
With nature in crisis across our planet, 193 countries came together at COP15 to set bold targets to halt and reverse biodiversity decline by 2030 and a vision of living in harmony with nature by 2050. As the UK looks to publish a new plan on how it will support this through its own national nature targets, will they be bold enough?
Conservationist groups across the country, including Chester Zoo, are demanding they must.
We’ve played a leading role in making a Westminster debate happen on 14 May, during which MPs will discuss how well the UK is delivering action for species conservation. This debate comes ahead of the first ever World Species Congress on 15th May — a new, groundbreaking global event to drive worldwide collaboration around species recovery efforts.
Nature groups are warning MPs that the gap between the ambition of the COP15 targets and real action for nature in the UK remains huge, with a previous analysis showing that none of the targets are currently on track for delivery in England.
The UK Government is set to publish its plan on international goals, including halting and reversing the decline of nature by 2030 (an international target agreed at COP15 in December 2022) on 22 May. UK nature groups are warning the government to produce firm proposals for how it plans to save nature, before it’s too late.
The four countries of the UK are amongst the most nature-depleted in the world, and so share a responsibility to take a leading role in driving nature’s recovery. Leading environmental groups from across the four nations are warning that the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) must detail new commitments, action, strategies, and finance to make the commendable target to halt and reverse the decline of nature by 2030 a reality while also setting a strong example for other countries.
Around the world wildlife continues to decline, so we look forward to working with parliamentarians on strong global action for nature ahead of the World Species Congress.
This is a key opportunity for the UK to be a world leader on nature, with strong policies here that could spur action in other countries too. And closer to home, with iconic species from hedgehogs to curlews disappearing at an alarming rate, we need Government action now to ensure that future generations can enjoy a life with more nature.
Simon Dowell, Conservation Science & Policy Director at Chester Zoo
Nature groups are calling for further action in the following areas:
Protection of 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030: It’s been over three years since the UK Government promised to protect 30% of land and sea for nature, yet progress remains slow and unclear. Nature groups are calling for more robust criteria on what constitutes a protected area. The most recent progress update on this found just 3% of land and 8% of sea was effectively protected for nature. An FOI also found that the UK Government has no evidence to back up its claims to be on track to meet this target.
Funding for sustainable farming: Agriculture is the most significant driver of biodiversity loss in the UK. Governments across the UK must put forward plans, advice and funding to reform food and farming policy to support nature positive farming and transform the way we manage land.
Strong action for species abundance: In the UK, species abundance has been in shocking decline and yet not all UK governments have set legally binding targets to recover species abundance. Countries should put forward these targets, and match them with costed delivery plans.
Sustainably manage and restore marine ecosystems. More comprehensive action plans for the protection and conservation of marine ecosystems are needed, including plans for fisheries to be managed so that they support thriving seabird populations, and benefit nature and the climate.