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Research and analysis

Goal 10: Access to nature (network)

Updated 1 December 2025
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Primary goal From Indicator To Indicator Correlation Rationale
Access to nature G2 Condition of heritage features including designated geological sites and scheduled monuments D2 Extent and condition of protected sites – land, water and sea Positive Geological sites are a subset of protected areas.
Access to nature G3 Enhancement of green/blue infrastructure D1 Quantity, quality and connectivity of habitats Positive Accessible natural greenspaces have an important contribution to make to the quality of the environment in urban areas. Such sites provide important refuges for wildlife in otherwise impoverished areas.
Access to nature G3 Enhancement of green/blue infrastructure G7 Health and wellbeing benefits Positive Green and blue spaces and features in and around our built environment, including within Green Belts, are essential to health and well-being.
Access to nature G4 Engagement in the natural environment G7 Health and wellbeing benefits Positive G7 shows that most people agree that spending time outdoors is important for their physical and mental health.
Access to nature G5 People engaged in social action for the environment D2 Extent and condition of protected sites – land, water and sea Positive G5 includes data on volunteer hours from organisations that manage protected areas such as the Wildlife Trusts.
Access to nature G6 Environmental attitudes and behaviours E8 Sustainable use of water Positive G6 will include information on people’s self-reported environmental behaviours, likely including questions on water use.
Access to nature G6 Environmental attitudes and behaviours J3 Municipal waste recycling rates Positive G6 will include information on people’s self-reported environmental behaviours, likely including questions on waste.
Access to nature G6 Environmental attitudes and behaviours J1 Carbon footprint and consumer buying choices Positive G6 will include information on people’s self-reported environmental behaviours, likely including questions on behaviours related to carbon use.
Access to nature A3 Concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air G7 Health and wellbeing benefits Negative Long-term exposure to particulate matter contributes to the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and lung cancer.
Access to nature A4 Rural background concentrations of ozone (O3) G7 Health and wellbeing benefits Negative Ozone is a gas which is damaging to human health and can trigger inflammation of the respiratory tract, eyes, nose and throat as well as asthma attacks.
Access to nature A5 Roadside nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations G7 Health and wellbeing benefits Negative Short-term exposure to concentrations of NO2 can cause inflammation of the airways and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections and to allergens. NO2 can exacerbate the symptoms of those already suffering from lung or heart conditions.
Access to nature A6 Exceedance of damaging levels of nutrient nitrogen deposition on ecosystems G1 Changes in landscape and waterscape character Negative Nutrient nitrogen deposition affects the nutrient levels and diversity of species in sensitive environments, for example, by encouraging algae growth in lakes and water courses.
Access to nature B2 Serious pollution incidents to water G7 Health and wellbeing benefits Negative The 2 higher categories of serious pollution event cause, for example, potential harm to bathers.
Access to nature B4 Condition of bathing waters G7 Health and wellbeing benefits Positive Status of bathing waters is based on a set of microbiological tests (measuring E.coli and intestinal enterococci) performed on waters used for bathing. The bacteria, if present, can cause severe stomach upsets and gastro-intestinal illness.
Access to nature D2 Extent and condition of protected sites – land, water and sea G1 Changes in landscape and waterscape character Positive Changes in environmental outcomes from our Designated Landscapes will be considered as part of the G1 indicator.
Access to nature D3 Area of woodland in England G1 Changes in landscape and waterscape character Positive G1 will consider attributes of landscape such as woodland cover.
Access to nature D3 Area of woodland in England G3 Enhancement of green/blue infrastructure Positive Woodland will be included in metrics of green infrastructure.
Access to nature D3 Area of woodland in England G4 Engagement in the natural environment Positive Some visits to the natural environment will be visits to woodland.
Access to nature H3 Emissions of mercury and persistent organic pollutants to the environment G7 Health and wellbeing benefits Negative POPs are chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the tissues of humans and wildlife, and have harmful impacts on human health or on the environment. Mercury is toxic and can cause damage to human health and accumulates in the environment and the food chain.
Access to nature H5 Exposure to transport noise G7 Health and wellbeing benefits Negative Health costs (and hence burden to the economy) of noise can be estimated from health outcomes associated with noise exposure (such as annoyance, sleep disturbance, and cardiovascular effects).
Access to nature J5 Prevent harmful chemicals from being recycled G7 Health and wellbeing benefits Positive Chemicals measured in J5 include POPs which can bioaccumulate and have harmful impacts on health.
Access to nature J6 Waste crime G1 Changes in landscape and waterscape character Negative Fly tipping will influence changes in the public’s perceptions of landscape character and quality, which will become part of the G1 indicator.