On 26 February, the UK Government unveiled its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)—a critical framework to meet UN biodiversity commitments. At Zero Hour, we’ve awaited this blueprint, hoping for a bold commitment to reverse biodiversity decline by 2030, as championed by the Climate and Nature (CAN) Bill. It’s a step forward—but falls short.
As the campaign for the Climate and Nature Bill, at Zero Hour we’ve been eagerly awaiting this blueprint, hoping it would signal a bold, unified commitment to halting and reversing the catastrophic decline of biodiversity by 2030—the overarching nature ambition of our Bill. The publication, coordinated by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and launched across the four nations, sets out the UK’s contribution towards meeting its commitments under the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)—“the Paris Agreement for nature”. It’s a step in the right direction; but let’s be clear, it’s sadly not enough to meet the scale of the crisis we face.
First, the good news. The NBSAP acknowledges the dire state of nature, with species and habitats plummeting and ecosystems buckling under pressure. It reaffirms the Government’s aim to deliver the GBF’s 23 global targets by 2030, including protecting 30% of land and seas and slashing pollution to safe levels. The inclusion of the UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies—hotspots of unique biodiversity—shows a welcome recognition of our broader responsibility.
Zero Hour commends the NBSAP submission, particularly targets 8, 14, 16 and 22, which align closely with the objectives of our Bill: stronger interconnection between climate and nature; integrating biodiversity in decision-making at every level; reducing our global consumption footprint; and increasing public participation in decision making. This is welcome. It also recognises the importance of joining-up the UK’s approach to ‘the triple planetary crises’ of climate, biodiversity, and pollution. Zero Hour has campaigned on the need for better integration for years, so this is another welcome shift in the right direction.
Yet, despite this promise, the NBSAP falters. It’s rich in vision but lacks the teeth to match Britain’s global promises. The NBSAP leans on the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) to deliver its 23 targets. But the EIP—currently under review—relies on just 13 goals from the Environment Act 2021, which don’t match the global framework’s ambition.
So we have a confusing mix of treaties, COP commitments, domestic laws, and Departmental plans that do not, yet, culminate in a clear, unifying mission as to how the UK will reverse the destruction of nature by 2030 in line with the Global Biodiversity Framework.
The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, and by not aiming to reverse nature’s destruction by the end of this crucial decade, we will remain so. ‘Bending the curve’ is key to setting nature measurably on the path of recovery by 2030, as CAN Bill-supporting scientists made clear to the Government in the run up to the Bill’s second reading on 24 January. And failing to meet our global commitments “not only reduces the UK’s credibility on the international stage, it also reduces our opportunities”.
Yesterday, the same day as the NBSAP publication, the Climate Change Committee also launched its Seventh Carbon Budget recommendation to the Government. Here’s Zero Hour’s response. Perhaps this was an indication of joined-up thinking to come, as the NBSAP proposes “joined-up design and delivery of NDCs, NBSAPs, National Adaptation Plans, and other relevant strategies.”
Integration, integration, integration. This is fundamental as, when it comes to the intertwined climate and nature crises—as 1,200 CAN Bill-supporting scientists set out—if plans are developed in isolation, implementation gaps will appear whereby (1) some problems are inadequately tackled by both plans, and (2) solutions developed to tackle one crisis can inadvertently make the other worse. Connecting the work of DEFRA, DESNZ and FCDO is therefore key to breaking down the silos in which climate and nature policy is currently developed (as David Lammy set out at Kew Gardens).
The Climate and Nature Bill, if made law, would ensure that the UK has an interconnected climate and nature strategy—and would lock the GBF into national legislation. Though our Bill has been adjourned, the need to bridge the gap between domestic plans and international ambition remains urgent.
So, what’s the fix? Zero Hour urges the Labour Government to:
1. Include the 23 NBSAP targets in the revised EIP, and
2. Integrate the EIP with (its twin) the Carbon Budget Delivery Plan.
This would prove that Ministers aren’t just talking about the importance of joined-up action—they’d actually be delivering it.
