'No ambition at all': Defra accused of watering down new nature targets

clock • 9 min read
The UK population of red squirrels once stood at a high of 3.5 million, but is now less than 140,000 | Credit: iStock
Image:

The UK population of red squirrels once stood at a high of 3.5 million, but is now less than 140,000 | Credit: iStock

Government belatedly confirms suite of 13 legally binding targets to reverse species loss, boost water and air quality, cut waste, and increase tree cover over the next 20 years

The government has today unveiled its hotly-anticipated suite of legally-binding environmental targets for England, confirming a sweeping package of goals to reverse species loss, increase tree cover,...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

More on Policy

NAO: More clarity needed over UK public sector climate risk reporting rules

NAO: More clarity needed over UK public sector climate risk reporting rules

New UK rules requiring central government bodies to assess and disclose their climate risk in line with TCFD guidelines are useful but need more work, National Audit Office concludes

Michael Holder
clock 28 November 2025 • 2 min read
Ireland leads the way with EU carbon farming framework

Ireland leads the way with EU carbon farming framework

New consultation aims to deliver for livestock farmers and the environment

Jane Thynne, Farmers Guardian
clock 27 November 2025 • 2 min read
Autumn Budget: Government drops plans for single rate of Landfill Tax

Autumn Budget: Government drops plans for single rate of Landfill Tax

Chancellor moves to prevent gap between two rates of Landfill tax getting any wider, rather than creating single rate

Stuart Stone
clock 26 November 2025 • 4 min read