Financial fears and extreme weather events have marked the start of this year, and it’s already clear that the environmental crises facing the UK have never been greater. Communities are suffering and the Office for Environmental Protection has warned that green goals are under threat. A week ago we were told that 2024 was the warmest year on record and that 2024 was the first year with temperatures 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Gloomy news indeed.

As the Chancellor demands that regulators tasked with protecting nature ‘tear down the barriers’ to growth, she appears unaware of the critical role nature plays in the UK. Nature protections are not blocking the UK’s success – they underpin our economy and make us safer. A nation that undermines nature is a house of cards with shaky foundations.

The Wildlife Trusts have identified five areas where we believe political action can have the most significant impact on nature recovery – and which would also solve a raft of other related problems at the same time. From planning reform to the next Environmental Improvement Plan, it is vital that the UK Government improves its focus on supporting nature-friendly farmers, restoring fresh waters and making us more resilient to the climate crisis. It must recognise that the nature and climate crises are the biggest long-term threats to economic growth.

1. Restore nature to underpin economic growth

The Prime Minister was right to say recently that the UK shouldn't 'sit in the tepid bath of managed decline’. Since The Dasgupta Review showed how much of the UK economy is built on a nature foundation, The Wildlife Trusts have called on the UK Government to put nature recovery at the centre of planning reform and economic recovery.

Economic growth and nature recovery are not mutually exclusive. In fact, we would go further and say that stable, secure economic growth is dependent on the resilience and restoration of the natural world. By embedding nature recovery into all our economic plans, we can tackle the challenges of economic shocks from climate chaos, development and housing together. We also need political leaders to clear up misconceptions about regulation. Strong leadership about properly enforced regulation is key to providing simplicity, certainty and driving business innovation in an integrated way.

The UK Government must reform planning rules to create housing with green space on its doorstep as standard. It must also ensure large nationally significant energy and development projects avoid harming protected wildlife sites and make a positive contribution to restoring nature.

Historically, development has often led to habitat loss, pollution and declines in wildlife. It is time for a climate-resilient planning system, which ensures that growth is ambitious, sustainable and beneficial for both people and the natural world.

2. Restore rivers and seas

England’s rivers are among the most polluted in Europe, with poor water quality affecting every river, lake, estuary and coastal water. This is a crisis that demands urgent action and countries like Switzerland have shown how strong political leadership on water can deliver impressive results. Investing in natural habitats in river catchments can improve water quality by trapping agricultural pollutants and protecting communities from floods. The UK Government must also ensure ‘the polluter pays', including being held accountable for cleaning up pollution like PFAS - per-and poly fluoroalkyl substances or ‘forever chemicals’ - that threaten our health.

Water companies should be encouraged to invest in wetlands and other nature-based solutions that filter and hold back rainwater to reduce nutrient pollution and protect valuable farmland and homes. Allowing natural processes – such as reintroducing beaver to build dams – is often cheaper and more effective at slowing the flow of water than human-engineered solutions. The UK Government should get on with licensing and monitoring wild beaver releases to reap the rewards of this hard-working native species.

Anger at the sorry state of England's waters played a meaningful part of the debate during the 2024 General Election, and the public will rightly demand action beyond targeting water companies, who are only part of the problem. Farming and food production needs to be supported to play its part, through the new environment schemes, a new food strategy and a Farm Roadmap, in ending harm to rivers and seas.

In UK marine waters, the UK Government must prevent damaging activities, such as inappropriate energy infrastructure and bottom trawling in Marine Protected Areas. The UK Government has previously shown strong leadership in recognising the need to protect our wider marine ecosystems, such as the closure of the sand eel fishery in the North Sea, which benefits the long-term resilience of seabirds, fish and wildlife populations. We need that leadership again – and we hope the ban remains, despite attempts by the EU to overturn it.

3. Restore nature to protect the UK from climate chaos

By November 2025, the world will gather for COP30, marking the 30th anniversary of acknowledging human-driven climate chaos. The Wildlife Trusts are leading the drive for ambitious climate action to tackle the twin nature and climate crises. The drive for unprecedented efforts to reduce carbon emissions at the source is urgent and necessary. Yet the UK's carbon calculations for reducing emissions are deeply flawed without an understanding of the carbon stored and absorbed in nature.

Protecting habitats like peatlands and marine sediments is crucial for storing carbon and supporting wildlife.

The UK Government must integrate nature and climate goals in a single mission to deliver low-carbon energy whilst expanding carbon-rich habitats and climate adapted farming and land use.

Picture all the effort required to build a new wind turbine supplying low-carbon energy to your home. How wasteful it is then, if that turbine is poorly located, and its construction damages a peatland, saltmarsh or seagrass meadow – habitats that are brilliant at storing carbon but can only do so when they’re in peak condition. As our recent  Blue Carbon Mapping Project showed, these are not just amazing habitats for wildlife, but they also hold vast amounts of carbon that is released if they are disturbed.

4. Back farmers to restore nature

Food producers and farmers are on the front line of the climate crisis, facing rising instability and unpredictable weather patterns. However, there is a silver lining: when farmers move towards nature-friendly farming practices, they can increase profitability and improve food security. Organic and regenerative farming practices, which focus on restoring soil health, increasing wildlife and reducing chemical inputs, offer a sustainable path forward with massively reduced environmental impacts. However, farmers need support in transitioning to these new farming practices. Public investment is vital to ensure that our food systems are resilient and that farmers are rewarded for their efforts to protect and enhance the natural environment.

Farmers deserve a more certain future. Through high-quality advice, fairer supply chain treatment and decent prices for their products and robust, consistent rules to protect nature on all farms, we can drive innovation and secure the future of a resilient rural economy. As the new progress report from the Office for Environmental Protection shows, supporting sustainable farming practices can significantly contribute to achieving environmental targets and enhancing wildlife whilst also supports the livelihoods of those who work the land, ensuring that farming remains a viable and sustainable profession for generations to come.

All this means the UK Government and devolved administrations must embrace farming with nature to get a more profitable, less polluting farming sector that can deliver hugely cost-effective actions to achieve nature and climate targets and provide public services.

5. Restore nature by 2030 – for wildlife and people

The UK has committed to the Global Biodiversity Framework, which includes the ambitious ‘30 by 30’ target which means protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030. This target is crucial for halting and reversing biodiversity loss before it’s too late. Achieving it will require significant effort to conserve and manage wildlife-rich habitats, ensuring cleaner rivers, lakes and seas, and boosting nature-friendly farming methods. The State of Nature report revealed that one in six species is at risk of extinction in Great Britain, underscoring the need for immediate and decisive action. By prioritising nature restoration, we can create a healthier, more resilient environment for future generations.

The clock is ticking loudly here – all eyes are on this Labour administration to make this happen. The UK Government is legally committed to 30 by 30, but so far, only around 3% of land and around 9.5% at sea are protected. Progress has stalled. The Office for Environmental Protection warned last week that “unless things change materially, key targets, such as the 30 by 30 target for land and sea will not be met.” A clear delivery plan is urgently needed to cover the gaping shortfall. This plan should include establishing a temperate rainforest programme, better protections for Local Wildlife Sites and using nature-based solutions to buffer us from the worst effects of climate chaos as well as implementing management measures in all remaining Marine Protected Areas. Restoring and re-wiggling rivers to reduce flooding and drought, expanding tree cover to cool our towns and cities, and bringing back missing species like beavers that help slow down floodwater and reduce river pollution are all essential steps.

Achieving the '30 by 30' target isn’t just about wildlife – it’s about people too; the benefits of nature for physical and mental health are profound and well-documented. Engaging with the natural world not only promotes physical activity, which is essential for maintaining good health, but also significantly enhances mental well-being. Studies have shown that people with access to green spaces are more active, mentally resilient and experience lower levels of stress and anxiety.

Reaching ‘30 by 30’ could create accessible, wildlife-rich areas in every community, ensuring that everyone can reap these benefits. Connection with nature improves quality of life, reduces the burden on healthcare systems, and creates a healthier, happier society for all.

It’s a no-brainer.