Overview

• The Wildlife and Countryside Link reports the UK is only about one‑fifth of the way to its 30x30 goal, with roughly 6% of land effectively conserved and managed for nature.
• In England, the share of land well protected for nature declined to 2.83% from 2.93% last year after new surveys downgraded site condition.
• Nation‑by‑nation figures show Wales at 2.4%, Northern Ireland at 4% and Scotland at 12.6%, indicating uneven progress across the UK.
• Researchers cite stalled designations, ongoing damaging activities, underfunded restoration, policy uncertainty and weak monitoring as key barriers, and groups urge rapid new designations, stronger rules, robust monitoring and proper funding.
• At sea, 38% of UK waters carry MPA status yet bottom trawling, development, pollution and dredging continue, and an official report warns Belfast Lough water quality is deteriorating due to sewage discharges.