Policy paper

The Environmental Improvement Plan (2025) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

Published 1 December 2025

Applies to England

Introduction 

The Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) is the government’s long-term plan for improving the natural environment and enjoyment of it. It is a roadmap for how we will restore nature, improve environmental quality, create a circular economy, protect environmental security and improve people’s access to nature. 

At UN Nature Summit COP15 in 2022, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was agreed, including 23 global targets to be met by 2030.  

The four nations of the UK, the Overseas Territories, and the Crown Dependencies have worked collaboratively to develop and publish Blueprint for Halting and Reversing Biodiversity Loss: the UK’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for 2030 (UK NBSAP) including the UK’s National Targets that commit us to achieving all 23 targets of the GBF at home.  

The EIP is a core pillar of England’s delivery of the UK NBSAP and UK National Targets. This document maps the National Targets against the EIP outcomes – demonstrating how EIP outcomes will contribute to delivering the UK National Targets and ultimately our contribution to meeting the GBF. 

Not all UK National Targets will be delivered directly through EIP outcomes. The following targets are delivered through other programmes, plans, legislation and regulations: 

• Target 13 ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the utilization of genetic resources and digital sequence information and traditional knowledge 

• Target 17 establish biosafety measures and distribute the benefits of biotechnology,  

• Target 22 ensure participation in decision making and access to justice and information related to biodiversity for all, and 

• Target 23 ensure gender equality and gender responsive approach for biodiversity action. 

This includes the UK Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Regulations (Target 13), biosafety legislation concerning the release and marketing of Living Modified Organisms (Target 17), and the Equality Act 2010 (Targets 22 and 23).  

The United Kingdom does not have indigenous peoples, or indigenous and local communities (IPLCs) as understood under the Convention on Biological Diversity. However, we recognise the important roles and contributions they play as custodians of biodiversity and remain committed to promoting their effective participation and inclusion in the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of biological diversity. 

The cross-cutting principles, approaches and enablers underpinning the EIP such as the integration of biodiversity into decision making and mobilisation of business and private finance will contribute to the delivery of UK National Targets: 

• Target 14 integrate biodiversity in decision making at every level 

• Target 15 encourage and enable businesses to monitor, assess and disclose biodiversity-related risks to reduce negative impacts on biodiversity and  

• Target 19 contribute to mobilising $200 billion per year for biodiversity from all sources, including $30 billion from developed to developing countries. 

Goal 1: Restored Nature and UK National Targets 

Vision: We will create a network of bigger, better and more resilient habitats to help nature thrive. 

EIP outcomes

Relevant UK National Targets

Progressing 30by30 on land in England Conserving and recovering plants, animals and fungi Clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse seas

Target 1: Plan and manage all areas to address land and sea use change and reduce biodiversity loss Target 2: Ensure at least 30% of all degraded ecosystems are under effective restoration Target 3: Effectively conserve and manage at least 30% of land and 30% of ocean (‘30 by 30’) Target 4: Halt species extinction, protect genetic diversity and manage human-wildlife conflicts Target 5: Ensure sustainable, safe and legal use, harvesting and trade of wild species Target 6: Reduce the introduction of invasive alien species by 50% and minimise their impact Target 7: Reduce pollution from all sources to levels that are not harmful to biodiversity Target 8: Minimise the impacts of climate change on biodiversity and build resilience Target 9: Ensure management and use of wild species are sustainable to deliver benefits for people Target 10: Enhance biodiversity and ensure sustainable management of agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry Target 11: Restore, maintain and enhance nature’s contributions to people Target 12: Enhance green and blue spaces and urban planning for human health and well-being and biodiversity Target 18: Contribute to reducing incentives harmful for biodiversity by at least $500 billion per year and scale up positive incentives for biodiversity

Goal 2: Air and UK National Targets 

Vision: We will achieve clean air. 

EIP outcomes	Relevant UK National Targets
Reducing emissions and concentration of air pollutants Increasing public engagement with air quality matters	Target 7: Reduce pollution from all sources to levels that are not harmful to biodiversity Target 11: Restore, maintain and enhance nature’s contributions to people Target 21: Ensure that knowledge is available and accessible to guide biodiversity action

Goal 3: Water and the UK National Targets 

Vision: We will ensure English waters are clean, resilient and plentiful. 

EIP outcomes

Relevant UK National Targets

Enabling nature to flourish in healthy water catchments Ensuring a sustainable supply of water to homes, public buildings and businesses Delivering clean rivers, lakes and seas for people to enjoy

Target 1: Ensure all areas are under spatial planning Plan and manage all areas to address land and sea use change and reduce biodiversity loss Target 2: Ensure at least 30% of all degraded ecosystems are under effective restoration Target 3: Effectively conserve and manage at least 30% of land and 30% of ocean (‘30 by 30’) Target 4: Halt species extinction, protect genetic diversity and manage human-wildlife conflicts Target 7: Reduce pollution from all sources to levels that are not harmful to biodiversity Target 11: Restore, maintain and enhance nature’s contributions to people Target 12: Enhance green and blue spaces and urban planning for human health and well-being and biodiversity

Goal 4: Chemicals and pesticides and the UK National Targets 

Vision: We will minimise environmental risks from chemicals and pesticides  

EIP outcomes	Relevant UK National Targets
Using and managing chemicals safely Minimising the risks of pesticides whilst maintaining food security Reducing the impact of legacy chemicals	Target 7: Reduce pollution from all sources to levels that are not harmful to biodiversity Target 10: Enhance biodiversity and ensure sustainable management of agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry Target 18: Contribute to reducing incentives harmful for biodiversity by at least $500 billion per year and scale up positive incentives for biodiversity

Goal 5: Waste and the UK National Targets 

Vision: We will minimise waste by designing it out of the system, reusing and recycling materials wherever possible  

EIP outcomes	Relevant UK National Targets
Minimising waste Removing criminal threats to a circular economy	Target 16: Enable sustainable consumption choices to reduce waste and overconsumption

Goal 6: Resources and the UK National Targets 

Vision: We will ensure that natural resources are produced, managed and consumed sustainably  

EIP outcomes

Relevant UK National Targets

Increasing the supply, harvesting and use of sustainable domestic timber Managing fisheries sustainably Ensuring sustainable and resilient food production Managing, improving and protecting soil responsibly

Target 16: Enable sustainable consumption choices to reduce waste and overconsumption Target 10: Enhance biodiversity and ensure sustainable management of agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry Target 5: Ensure sustainable, safe and legal use, harvesting and trade of wild species Target 9: Ensure management and use of wild species are sustainable to deliver benefits for people Target 18: Contribute to reducing incentives harmful for biodiversity by at least $500 billion per year and scale up positive incentives for biodiversity Other relevant UK National Targets: Target 2: Ensure at least 30% of all degraded ecosystems are under effective restoration Target 11: Restore, maintain and enhance nature’s contributions to people

Goal 7: Climate change and the UK National Targets 

Vision: We will reduce greenhouse gas emissions to accelerate to net zero and work to prepare the natural environment for the effects of climate change  

EIP outcomes

Relevant UK National Targets

Delivering climate resilient environment outcomes Preserving and enhancing nature’s potential to capture and store carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions Making society, infrastructure and the economy more resilient to the impacts of climate change

Target 8: Minimise the impacts of climate change on biodiversity and build resilience Target 11: Restore, maintain and enhance nature’s contributions to people Target 2: Ensure at least 30% of all degraded ecosystems are under effective restoration Target 4: Halt species extinction, protect genetic diversity and manage human-wildlife conflicts Other relevant UK National Targets: Target 16: Enable sustainable consumption choices to reduce waste and overconsumption Target 18: Contribute to reducing incentives harmful for biodiversity by at least $500 billion per year and scale up positive incentives for biodiversity

Goal 8: Environmental hazards and the UK National Targets 

Vision: We will reduce risk of harm to people, the environment and the economy from natural hazards  

EIP outcomes

Relevant UK National Targets

Strengthening resilience and adaptation to drought Strengthening resilience and adaptation to flood and coastal erosion risk Understanding the risks from wildfires and taking action to mitigate and adapt Understanding the risks from climate change, such as increased storms and heat events, and taking action to mitigate and adapt Improving and restoring the resilience of the natural environment to environmental hazards

Target 8: Minimise the impacts of climate change on biodiversity and build resilience Target 11: Restore, maintain and enhance nature’s contributions to people

Goal 9: Biosecurity and the UK National Targets 

Vision: We will enhance biosecurity to protect our natural environment and boost the health and resilience of plants, animals, ecosystems and people  

EIP outcomes

Relevant UK National Targets

Understanding current and future biosecurity threats Preventing biosecurity threats from introduction, establishment and spread Minimising the risk of biosecurity threats through early detection and diagnosis Responding rapidly to biosecurity threats to eradicate or control them and prevent or lessen their impact Increasing public and stakeholder awareness of biosecurity threats The public and stakeholders have greater awareness of biosecurity threats which drives contributions to prevent, detecting and responding to them

Target 6: Reduce the introduction of invasive alien species by 50% and minimise their impact Target 4: Halt species extinction, protect genetic diversity and manage human-wildlife conflicts Target 5: Ensure sustainable, safe and legal use, harvesting and trade of wild species Target 21: Ensure that knowledge is available and accessible to guide biodiversity action

Goal 10: Access to nature and the UK National Targets 

Vision: We will ensure inclusive access to nature and protect nature’s beauty and heritage  

EIP outcomes

Relevant UK National Targets

Improving public access to nature Reducing barriers to accessing nature Connecting all children with nature as part of everyday life Improving public health and wellbeing Increasing enjoyment and improving connections with nature Protecting and enhancing landscapes’ character, natural beauty, geological and cultural heritage, and historic environment Stronger economy due to skills, nature-based leisure and tourism, creation of thriving communities and healthier populations

Target 12: Enhance green and blue spaces and urban planning for human health and well-being and biodiversity Target 11: Restore, maintain and enhance nature’s contributions to people Other relevant UK National Targets: Target 3: Effectively conserve and manage at least 30% of land and 30% of ocean (‘30 by 30’) Target 9: Ensure management and use of  wild species are sustainable to deliver benefits for people Target 20: Strengthen capacity building, technology transfer, and scientific and technical co-operation for effective implementation and biodiversity Target 21: Ensure that knowledge is available and accessible to guide biodiversity action