The Wildlife Trusts: Our priorities for the next UK Government

Trotternish, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK, November

Mark Hamblin/2020VISION

The Wildlife Trusts: Our priorities for the next UK Government

What we're calling for

The landmark 2023 State of Nature Report has shown that the UK – already classified as one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries in the world – is continuing to allow nature to decline.

The Wildlife Trusts are calling upon all political parties to commit to a plan to finally halt and reverse this trend. Their policies must be targeted towards species recovery, addressing water pollution, funding wildlife-friendly farming, enabling healthy communities, and tackling climate change.

Alongside Wildlife and Countryside Link’s Nature 2030 proposals, we want these asks to ensure all parties stand on a platform with nature’s recovery at its heart.

It has never been more evident that people care more about the state of their natural environment than ever before. With a general election on the horizon, it’s time politicians heard that message.

Beaver swimming with its head just above the water

Beaver swimming with its head just above the water © Russell Savory

Priority number one

Bring back the UK’s lost wildlife

Immense pressure from decades of pollution and habitat loss has driven wildlife into catastrophic decline.

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Otter in river

Luke Massey

Priority number two

End river pollution and water scarcity

The UK is ranked as one of the worst countries in Europe for water quality, with pollution beyond legal limits caused by a toxic cocktail of sewage and agricultural pollution.

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Brown hare Lepus europaeus An adult stretching on fringes of a field of rapeseed.

Andrew Parkinson/2020VISION

Priority number three

Fund wildlife-friendly farming

By supporting farmers to shift towards regenerative, nature-friendly methods, farming has huge potential to deliver a green rural renewal.

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Children and families

Helena Dolby for Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust

Priority number four

Enable healthy communities

More than one-third of the population - nearly 9.5 million households in England – are unable to access green places near their home.

 

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A shaft of sunlight filters through the canopy of a UK rainforest, lighting up a vibrant green patch of moss growing on a piece of dead wood

Deadwood and moss in a UK rainforest © Ben Porter

Priority number five

Tackle the climate emergency

Climate change is driving nature’s decline, and the loss of wildlife and wild places leaves us ill-equipped to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to change.

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Download The Wildlife Trusts' five priorities

 

 

Download (pdf)