This year, action to restore our natural world is more urgent than ever.

In 2023, The Wildlife Trusts will call on the Government to ensure that nature is able to recover by:

1. Scrapping the Retained EU Law Bill – This Bill, which is scheduled to be debated by MPs early in the new year, threatens to wipe away thousands of crucial laws which protect wildlife by the end of 2023. To stop the attack on nature, the Government must bin this Bill.
    
2. Ensuring new farm schemes (ELMs) reward farmers for benefits to society – With further detail on new ELM schemes expected in the coming weeks, The Wildlife Trusts want to see a clear departure from the old agri-environment schemes and much more generous support for farmers to restore nature, reduce pesticide use and adapt to climate change.
    
3. Setting a clear plan to protect at least 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030 – Little progress has been made on the Government's 30x30 target, with just 3.22% of England’s land effectively protected for nature. January’s expected Environmental Improvement Plan needs to set out how this target will be met, including consulting on a new legally binding target to improve the state of our protected sites.
    
4. Publishing a proper set of government policies to address climate change – The revised Net Zero Strategy is due out before the end of March and the first of the revised National Adaptation Plans (for England) is due in the summer. Both sets of plans are not yet strong enough to ensure meaningful action is taken to address the climate crisis and neither has adequately represented nature to date.
    
5. Taking urgent action on river pollution to protect wildlife and clean up England’s waterways – Tackling agricultural pollution, which accounts for around 40% of waters failing ecological standards, should be prioritised alongside an ongoing focus on water industry pollution.
    
6. Reviewing planning reform so that it sets clear and strong rules to protect nature – The current review of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) must strengthen protections for Local Wildlife Sites and create a new Wildbelt designation to ensure nature’s recovery and provide access to nature for all.
    
7. Designating Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) – HPMAs will give stronger levels of protection to allow nature to fully recover at sea. The Government has until 6 July 2023 to designate new pilot HPMAs.

8. Setting a presumption against development of offshore wind farms in designated sites – Offshore wind has a huge impact on sea life, marine habitats and the blue carbon they store. With less than 20% of our Marine Protected Areas in ‘recovering’ or ‘favourable’ conservation status and a significant increase in offshore wind generation expected, The Wildlife Trusts want to see a presumption against development for these sites.
    
9. Banning the import, sale and extraction of peat products – By the end of the year, The Wildlife Trusts want to see a full retail ban on the sale of bagged peat compost, alongside a plan to restore all bogs damaged by the removal of peat to recognise the incredible role they play in tackling climate change and preventing flooding.
    
10. Recognising the vital role that nature plays in our health and education – By renewing commitments and outlining progress towards the introduction of a Natural History GCSE, ready for a first teach of September 2025 – and by securing funding for Green Prescribing for Mental Health pilots up until March 2025.