RSPB report warns UK governments are falling short on 2030 nature targets

Mid-way through what was meant to be a decade of action for nature, a new RSPB analysis warns that the UK is off track to meet its commitments under the global plan to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.

Three years ago, 195 countries, including the UK, agreed the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the world’s most ambitious plan to restore nature. But the UK’s newly released progress report shows that despite the escalating importance of nature for climate, health, food, and national security, delivery is falling short.

The RSPB’s new report, Delivering the UK’s Nature Promises, assesses priority areas where the UK can still make meaningful progress before 2030 – but only if governments urgently accelerate action.

Responding to the UK government’s progress report, Beccy Speight, the RSPB’s chief executive said “makes one thing painfully clear, the UK is off track to meet its global nature targets, with just four years left to halt and reverse the loss of nature. Despite some progress, the fact that so many of these targets are progressing at an insufficient rate shows that governments across the UK are still not treating these commitments with the seriousness they demand. This comes despite another recent assessment, the National Security Review on biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse, setting out in stark terms just how fundamental nature is to our long‑term stability and security.

The analysis focuses on seven targets within the KMGBF where UK governments can have the strongest impact this decade – from expanding protected areas and recovering threatened species to tackling invasive species, transforming farming and fisheries, and boosting green finance. The UK Government's report has found that progress towards all 7 of these targets is currently happening at an insufficient rate,

Beccy Speight continued, “If we are to secure a safer, more resilient future by the end of this decade, governments must urgently reprioritise nature. The next five years must be defined by urgency, clarity, and genuine investment.  We know what we need to do but we now need the political will in place to change the fortunes of wildlife, wild places and the natural resources we all depend on.”

Key Findings and Recommendations

Target 3 – Protect 30% of land and sea by 2030
The RSPB urges governments to set robust criteria for “30 by 30”, plug gaps in protected areas, including overdue Special Protection Area reviews, and invest in long-term monitoring.
Fact: Only ~6% of UK land is effectively protected.

Target 4 – Halt extinctions and recover wildlife
Governments should fund recovery plans for all threatened species, act urgently for seabirds, license hshooting practices, and strengthen ancient woodland protections.
Fact: The UK hosts nearly 8 million breeding seabirds from 25 species, yet they are declining faster than any other bird group.

Target 6 – Tackle invasive species
Action needed includes relaunching the Darwin Plus scheme for UK Overseas Territories, boosting the GB Species Inspectorate, and creating a national plan to control the spread of Sitka Spruce.
Fact: About 94% of species for which the UK is globally responsible live in Overseas Territories—many threatened by invasives.

Target 8 – Reduce climate impacts on nature
Scale up nature-based solutions, avoid sensitive habitats when deploying renewables, and end subsidies for largescale forest biomass by 2027.
Fact: Burning biomass releases as much or more CO₂ than coal, with forests taking decades to recover.

Target 10 – Make farming, fisheries and forestry sustainable
Strengthen farm regulation, fund effective agri-environment schemes, and expand advisory support. Require Remote Electronic Monitoring on all fishing vessels and seabird bycatch mitigation. Ensure tree planting happens in the right places with more diverse forests.
Fact: Farming covers 70% of UK land, shaping both biodiversity and climate outcomes.

Target 15 – Ensure businesses reduce nature impacts
Mandate nature measurement and disclosure, embed standards, and develop Nature Positive Transition Pathways with industry.
Fact: Nature positive solutions could generate $10.1 trillion and 395 million jobs by 2030.

Target 19 – Mobilise finance for nature
Publish a new Green Finance Strategy, strengthen carbon and nature markets, and set a stronger international finance target with one third for nature.
Fact: The Tropical Forest Forever Facility offers a major new mechanism to reward forest protection.

With many UK biodiversity targets off track, the next five years are critical. Civil society and business are acting but governments must now match their ambition.