Research and analysis

Farming Sector Environmental Objectives: targets

Published 22 October 2026

Applies to England

1. Introduction

Statutory targets provide a legally binding framework for driving long‑term environmental improvement. Set under legislation, they establish clear outcomes and timelines against which progress can be measured, helping to align policy, delivery mechanisms, and investment toward agreed national ambitions.

Multiple environmental objectives are designed to measure the farming sector’s contribution towards statutory targets sets within the Environment Act 2021 (EA21) and Carbon Budget 6 (CB6). Further to this, the Environmental Improvement Plan 2025 (EIP25) sets interim targets to measure progress.

Where environmental objectives contribute directly to statutory or interim targets, we have listed them here.

Further details on methodologies and contributions can be found on pages for individual environmental objectives. These include contributions to key actions and commitments under EIP25, which are not listed here.

2. Environment Act 2021

The Environment Act 2021 provides the primary legislative framework for environmental governance and improvement in England. It establishes legally binding long‑term targets across a wide range of environmental topics, including biodiversity, air and water quality, waste, and resource efficiency.

Delivery of a number of these commitments depends in part on changes to land management practices, with agriculture playing a key role in achieving environmental outcomes at scale.

2.1 Air Quality

Air quality is fundamental to human health, ecosystem functioning, and environmental condition. Statutory air quality targets set a long‑term ambition to reduce harmful emissions and improve air quality across England. The Environment Act 2021 sets two statutory targets aimed at reducing pollutant levels:

• to achieve at least a 35% reduction in population exposure to PM2.5 by 31 December 2040 compared to 2018 levels

• by 31 December 2040 the maximum annual mean level of PM2.5 in ambient air must be equal to or less than 10 micrograms per cubic metre

In excess, ammonia is harmful to human health and wider ecosystems through the creation of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). As a major contributor of ammonia emissions, UK agriculture must reduce the levels of pollution from its activity. As such, the environmental objective contributing to these statutory targets is:

• ammonia emissions: the farming sector and delivery partners will contribute to the National Emissions Ceiling Regulations 2018, which stipulates a reduction in ammonia emissions of 16% from 2005 levels by 2030.

A review is currently underway to establish the level of contribution expected from the farming sector and how progress towards this objective will be measured.

2.2 Species Recovery

The abundance of species across England has, on average, declined by around 40% since 1970, reflecting pressures on habitats and ecosystems. Statutory species abundance targets set a long‑term ambition to restore wildlife populations and reduce the risk of extinction across England.

The Environment Act 2021 sets three statutory targets relating to terrestrial and freshwater species:

• halt the decline in species abundance by 2030 as represented by the overall relative species abundance index

• increase species abundance so that by 2042 it is greater than in 2022 and at least 10% greater than in 2030

• improve the Red List Index for England for species extinction by 2042 compared to 2022 levels

Contributing to these targets must be done through several methods to ensure species abundance. The environmental objectives contributing to these statutory targets are:

• peatland restoration and management: the farming sector and delivery partners will restore and maintain 240,000 hectares of peatland by 2050, whilst, from 2026, additionally managing circa 100,000 hectares of previously restored peatland.

• wildlife-rich habitats - creation and restoration: the farming sector and delivery partners will create and restore 300,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat outside protected sites by 2042, from a 2023 baseline.

• Sites of Special Scientific Interest: Defra will have actions ‘on track’ on 50% of Sites of Special Scientific Interest features identified as requiring agri-environment scheme intervention to support favourable management by 2030. 

• invasive non-native species: the farming sector and delivery partners will deliver 125,000 hectares of actions to control and manage invasive non-native species by 2030.

• native woodland: the farming sector and delivery partners will deliver sufficient suitable AES actions on 137,000 ha of native woodland to support the establishment or maintenance of favourable condition by 2040.

• wildlife-rich habitats - maintenance: the farming sector and delivery partners will support the management of wildlife-rich habitat outside of protected areas, maintaining the extent in existing schemes as at 2024, increasing to include management of wildlife-rich habitat newly created and restored up to 2042.

• farm wildlife: by 2030, Defra will double the number of farms providing sufficient year-round resources for farm wildlife, compared with 2025.

• water quality: the farming sector and delivery partners will deliver a 32-39% reduction in nitrogen (32%), phosphorus (39%) and sediment (37%) input from agriculture into the water environment by 2038, from a 2018 baseline.

• hedgerows: the farming sector and delivery partners will create or restore at least 48,200 kilometres of managed hedgerows by 2037, increasing to a total of at least 72,500 kilometres of additional managed hedgerows by 2050.

2.3 Wildlife-Rich Habitats

The loss, fragmentation and degradation of habitats have been key drivers of biodiversity decline. The statutory target for wildlife‑rich habitats creation and restoration aim to improve habitat extent and connectivity at scale.

The Environment Act 2021 sets a statutory target relating to wildlife-rich habitats:

• restore or create in excess of 500,000 hectares of a range of wildlife-rich habitats outside protected sites by 2042

To support a wide range of habitats, Defra has established multiple environmental objectives for the farming sector, each focussing on different habitat types. The environmental objectives contributing to this statutory target are:

• peatland restoration and management: the farming sector and delivery partners will restore and maintain 240,000 hectares of peatland by 2050, whilst, from 2026, additionally managing circa 100,000 hectares of previously restored peatland.

• tree canopy and woodland cover: the farming sector and delivery partners will increase England’s tree canopy and woodland cover by 15,683 ha by 2030.

• wildlife-rich habitats – creation and restoration: the farming sector and delivery partners will create and restore between 300,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat outside protected sites by 2042, from a 2023 baseline.

2.4 Tree Canopy and Woodland Cover

Woodland cover plays a key role in supporting biodiversity, water quality, and climate objectives. Statutory targets for woodland cover set out a long‑term ambition to increase the extent of woodland across England.

The Environment Act 2021 sets a statutory target relating to tree canopy and woodland cover:

• increase tree canopy and woodland cover to at least 16.5% of total land area by 2050

The environmental objective contributing to this statutory target is:

• tree canopy and woodland cover: the farming sector and delivery partners will increase England’s tree canopy and woodland cover by 15,683 ha by 2030.

2.5 Water Quality

Water quality is fundamental to healthy ecosystems, human wellbeing, and economic activity. Statutory targets for water quality set out a long‑term ambition to reduce pollutant inputs to the water environment and improve the overall condition of England’s waters.

The Environment Act 2021 sets a statutory target relating to water quality:

• reduce total nitrogen, total phosphorus and sediment pollution from agriculture into the water environment by at least 40% by 2038, compared to a 2018 baseline

To support this, the environmental objectives contributing to this statutory target is:

• water quality: Defra will deliver a 32-39% reduction in nitrogen (32%), phosphorus (39%) and sediment (37%) input from agriculture into the water environment by 2038, from a 2018 baseline.

2.6 Environment Act 2021 summary

Summary of Environment Act 2021 statutory targets and contributing environmental objectives

Target Theme	Statutory Target	Objective Names
Air Quality	To achieve at least a 35% reduction in population exposure to PM2.5 by 31 December 2040 compared to 2018 levels	Ammonia Emissions
Air Quality	By 31 December 2040 the maximum annual mean level of PM2.5 in ambient air must be equal to or less than 10 micrograms per cubic metre	Ammonia Emissions
Species Abundance	Halt the decline in species abundance by 2030	Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Invasive Non-Native Species, Wildlife-Rich Habitats - Maintenance, Farm Wildlife
Species Abundance	Increase species abundance so that by 2042 it is greater than in 2022 and at least 10% greater than in 2030	Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Invasive Non-Native Species, Wildlife-Rich Habitats - Maintenance, Farm Wildlife
Wildlife-Rich Habitats	Restore or create in excess of 500,000 hectares of a range of wildlife-rich habitats outside protected sites by 2042	Peatland Restoration and Management, Tree Canopy and Woodand Cover, Wildlife-Rich Habitats – Creation and Restoration
Tree Canopy and Woodland Cover	Increase tree canopy and woodland cover to at least 16.5% of total land area by 2050	Tree Canopy and Woodland Cover
Water Quality	Reduce total nitrogen, total phosphorus and sediment pollution from agriculture into the water environment by at least 40% by 2038, compared to a 2018 baseline	Water Quality

3. Environmental Improvement Plan 2025

The Environmental Improvement Plan 2025 sets out how the government will deliver the environmental ambitions and statutory targets established by the Environment Act 2021. It spans a wide range of environmental themes, many of which depend on action through agriculture and changes in land management practices.

The environmental objectives are a subset of Defra’s wider progress towards EIP25 targets, focussing on the contribution of the farming sector. Departmental reporting on Defra’s progress towards EIP25 targets, including delivery plans for EA21 targets and annual progress reports, can be found here.

3.1 Air Quality

Following the statutory targets set within the Environment Act 2021, the EIP25 reiterates the focus on fine particulate matter (PM2.5), setting two interim targets to progress towards pollutant reduction.

The interim targets for air quality state:

• an annual mean concentration target of 10 micrograms per cubic metre to be achieved by December 2030

• a population exposure reduction target of 30% compared to 2018 to be achieved by December 2030

The methods to achieve the interim targets are the same as the statutory targets set under the EA21, therefore the same objective is supporting all air quality targets. The environmental objective contributing to these interim targets is:

• ammonia emissions: the farming sector and delivery partners will contribute to the National Emissions Ceiling Regulations 2018, which stipulates a reduction in ammonia emissions of 16% from 2005 levels by 2030.

Defra is currently working to establish the level of contribution expected from the farming sector and how to measure progress towards this environmental objective

3.2 Wildlife-Rich Habitats

EIP25 sets an interim target for wildlife-rich habitats on a shorter term than the EA21 statutory target. The interim target for wildlife-rich habitats states:

• restore or create a total of 250,000 hectares of a range of wildlife-rich habitats outside of protected sites by December 2030

 Delivery of the wildlife‑rich habitat target is structured around three environmental objectives, each targeting a specific set of habitats.

The environmental objectives contributing to this interim target are:

• peatland restoration and management: the farming sector and delivery partners will restore and maintain 240,000 hectares of peatland by 2050, whilst, from 2026, additionally managing circa 100,000 hectares of previously restored peatland.

• tree canopy and woodland cover: the farming sector and delivery partners will increase England’s tree canopy and woodland cover by 15,683 ha by 2030.

• wildlife-rich habitat – creation and restoration: the farming sector and delivery partners will create and restore between 300,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat outside protected sites by 2042, from a 2023 baseline.

3.3 Farm Wildlife

Statutory species targets cover a wide range of ecosystems, including those on agricultural land, with provisions to support farm wildlife undertaken alongside agricultural production. The EIP25 interim target for farm wildlife states:

• by December 2030, double the number of farms providing sufficient year-round resources for farm wildlife, compared with 2025

As the primary delivery lever for the interim target, the farming sector has set similar ambition for the contributing objective. The environmental objective contributing to this interim target is:

• farm wildlife: by 2030, Defra will double the number of farms providing sufficient year-round resources for farm wildlife, compared with 2025.

3.4 Invasive Non-Native Species

EIP25 addresses Invasive Non‑Native Species (INNS) within the statutory species abundance targets, reflecting their crucial role in constraining native species abundance and ecosystem resilience. The interim target for Invasive Non-Native species states:

• reduce the rate of establishment of invasive non-native species by at least 50% by December 2030, compared to 2000 levels

Multiple INNS are prevalent across the agricultural landscape, with agri-environment schemes (AES) representing an important measure in managing their impacts. The environmental objective contributing to this interim target is:

• invasive non-native species: the farming sector and delivery partners will deliver 125,000 hectares of actions to control and manage invasive non-native species by 2030.

3.5 Sites of Special Scientific Interest

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are already protected due to the nationally important species and habitats they support. EIP25 created an interim target aimed at supporting these areas. The interim target for SSSIs states:

• by December 2030, 50% of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) features to have actions on track to achieve favourable condition

Within SSSIs, some features require the intervention of agri-environment schemes for restoration. Natural England identifies these through feature assessments, which inform Defra where agri‑environment schemes are required to achieve favourable management of individual features. The environmental objective contributing to this interim target is:

• Sites of Special Scientific Interest: Defra will have actions ‘on track’ on 50% of Sites of Special Scientific Interest features identified as requiring agri-environment scheme intervention to support favourable management by 2030. 

Under current methodology, delivery of this objective is monitored through feature assessment data provided by Natural England.

3.6 Tree Canopy and Woodland Cover

EIP25 sets an interim target for tree canopy and woodland cover on a shorter term than the EA21 statutory target. The interim target for tree canopy and woodland cover states:

• increase England’s tree canopy and woodland cover by 0.33% of land area by December 2030 from the 2022 baseline of 14.9% (equivalent to a net increase of 43,000 hectares)

The interim target follows the same trajectory as the statutory target, therefore the same objective contributes to both the EA21 and EIP25 targets. The environmental objective contributing to this interim target is:

• tree canopy and woodland cover: The farming sector and delivery partners will increase England’s tree canopy and woodland cover by 15,683 ha by 2030.

3.7 Water Quality

EIP25 sets an interim target for water quality on a shorter term than the EA21 statutory target. The interim target for water quality states:

• reduce total nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment pollution from agriculture to the water environment by at least 12% by December 2030 compared to a 2018 baseline

The interim target follows the same trajectory as the statutory target, therefore the same objective contributes to both the EA21 and EIP25 targets. The environmental objective contributing to this interim target is:

• water quality: Defra will deliver a 32-39% reduction in nitrogen (32%), phosphorus (39%) and sediment (37%) input from agriculture into the water environment by 2038, from a 2018 baseline.

3.8 Environmental Improvement Plan 2025 summary

Summary of Environmental Improvement Plan 2025 interim targets and contributing environmental objectives

Target Theme	Interim Target	Objective Names
Air Quality	An annual mean concentration target of 10 micrograms per cubic metre to be achieved by December 2030	Ammonia Emissions
Air Quality	A population exposure reduction target of 30% compared to 2018 to be achieved by December 2030	Ammonia Emissions
Wildlife-Rich Habitats	Restore or create a total of 250,000 hectares of a range of wildlife-rich habitats outside of protected sites by December 2030	Peatland Restoration and Management, Tree Canopy and Woodland Cover, Wildlife-Rich Habitat Creation and Restoration
Farm Wildlife	By December 2030, double the number of farms providing sufficient year-round resources for farm wildlife, compared with 2025	Farm Wildlife
Invasive Non-Native Species	Reduce the rate of establishment of invasive non-native species by at least 50% by December 2030, compared to 2000 levels	Invasive Non-Native Species
Sites of Special Scientific Interest	By December 2030, 50% of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) features to have actions on track to achieve favourable condition	Sites of Special Scientific Interest
Tree Canopy and Woodland Cover	Increase England’s tree canopy and woodland cover by 0.33% of land area by December 2030 from the 2022 baseline of 14.9% (equivalent to a net increase of 43,000 hectares)	Tree Canopy and Woodland Cover
Water Quality	Reduce total nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment pollution from agriculture to the water environment by at least 12% by December 2030 compared to a 2018 baseline	Water Quality

4. 30by30

As part of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted by nearly 200 countries, the UK government has committed to:

• effectively conserve and manage at least 30% of our land and sea for nature by 2030

30by30 seeks to protect and restore nature at a scale necessary to safeguard ecosystems, species, and the benefits they provide to people. The initiative covers all land and sea within the UK, with the contribution devolved across governments. In July 2026, Defra published the 30by30 on land: Delivery plan, explaining the pathway for England to deliver towards the target.

Although it does not set direct requirements for the farming sector, the delivery plan focusses on the management of areas that meet the 30by30 criteria and restoring areas with potential to qualify. Therefore, the following environmental objectives will contribute to England’s 30by30 commitment:

• peatland restoration and management: the farming sector and delivery partners will restore and maintain 240,000 hectares of peatland by 2050, whilst, from 2026, additionally managing circa 100,000 hectares of previously restored peatland.

• tree canopy and woodland cover: the farming sector and delivery partners will increase England’s tree canopy and woodland cover by 15,683 ha by 2030.

• Sites of Special Scientific Interest: Defra will have actions ‘on track’ on 50% of Sites of Special Scientific Interest features identified as requiring agri-environment scheme intervention to support favourable management by 2030. 

• wildlife-rich habitat – creation and restoration: the farming sector and delivery partners will create and restore between 300,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat outside protected sites by 2042, from a 2023 baseline.

• native woodland: Defra will deliver sufficient suitable AES actions on 137,000 ha of native woodland to support the establishment or maintenance of favourable condition by 2040.

• wildlife-rich habitat – maintenance: the farming sector and delivery partners will support the management of wildlife-rich habitat outside of protected areas, maintaining the extent in existing schemes as at 2024, increasing to include management of wildlife-rich habitat newly created and restored up to 2042.

• hedgerows: the farming sector and delivery partners will create or restore at least 48,200 kilometres of managed hedgerows by 2037, increasing to a total of at least 72,500 kilometres of additional managed hedgerows by 2050.

Summary of 30by30 and contributing environmental objectives

Target Theme	Interim Target	Objective Names
30by30	By 2030, effectively conserve and manage at least 30% of our land and sea for nature.	Peatland Restoration and Management, Tree Canopy and Woodland Cover, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Wildlife-Rich Habitat – Creation and Restoration, Native Woodland, Wildlife-Rich Habitat – Maintenance, Hedgerows

5. Climate Change Act

Under the Climate Change Act, legally binding Carbon Budgets set five‑year limits on UK greenhouse gas emissions, covering measures across all sectors of the economy and providing the framework for delivery. For agriculture, this includes action on land use, livestock emissions, soil carbon, and farm practices to support progress towards net zero.

This publication details the methods used by Defra to measure the contribution of the farming sector towards targets set under the Climate Change Act. However, the Climate Change Committee produce progress reports that detail the progress in reducing emissions across the UK Government.

5.1 Carbon Budget 6

Carbon Budget 6 (CB6), set under the Climate Change Act, covers the period 2033–2037 and requires a 78% reduction in UK greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 compared to 1990 levels, placing the UK firmly on the pathway to net zero. It includes significant contributions from agriculture and land use through emissions reductions and carbon sequestration.

In response to CB6, covering the period 2033 to 2037, Defra set the following target:

• by 2037, we will reduce annual emissions through agriculture, forestry and other land uses (AFOLU) by 4.9Mt CO2e per annum, in line with the Sixth Carbon Budget.

To address these requirements, multiple objectives contribute to CB6 statutory requirements. The environmental objectives contributing to these targets are:

• agricultural decarbonisation: the farming sector and delivery partners will deliver at least 1.63 million tonnes CO2e agricultural emissions abatement per annum by the end of Carbon Budget 6 (2037)

• peatland restoration and management: the farming sector will restore and maintain 240,000 hectares of peatland by 2050, whilst, from 2026, additionally managing circa 100,000 hectares of previously restored peatland.

• tree canopy and woodland cover: the farming sector will increase England’s tree canopy and woodland cover by 15,683 ha by 2030.

• silvoarable agroforestry: the farming sector will deliver 358,902ha of agroforestry on arable land in England by 2050.

• hedgerows: the farming sector will create or restore at least 48,200 kilometres of managed hedgerows by 2037, increasing to a total of at least 72,500 kilometres of additional managed hedgerows by 2050.

Summary of Carbon Budget 6 target and contributing environmental objectives

Target Theme	Interim Target	Objective Names
Net Zero	By 2037, we will reduce annual emissions through agriculture, forestry and other land uses (AFOLU) by 4.9Mt CO2e per annum, in line with the Sixth Carbon Budget.	Agricultural Decarbonisation, Peatland Restoration and Management, Tree Canopy and Woodland Cover, Silvoarable Agroforestry, Hedgerows