UK Target 12: The UK will significantly increase the area and quality, and connectivity of, access to, and benefits from green and blue spaces in urban and densely populated areas sustainably, by mainstreaming the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and ensure biodiversity-inclusive urban planning, enhancing native biodiversity, ecological connectivity and integrity, and improving human health and well-being and connection to nature, and contributing to inclusive and sustainable urbanisation and to the provision of ecosystem functions and services.

Commitments:

England

• We will make sure that everyone has access to green or blue spaces within a 15-minute walk from home.
• We will reduce physical and intangible barriers to accessing green and blue spaces to increase the frequency of visits from those currently least likely to access them.
• We will develop measures to improve responsible access that protect and enhance nature and visitor experiences, aiming to increase the number of people visiting the countryside and coast for leisure and tourism purposes.
• We will reduce barriers to access, boost children’s connection with nature and increase their understanding of the natural world and how to protect it.
• We will increase people’s time spent in nature for physical activity and nature-based activities to support both physical and mental health.
• We will continue to implement the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) condition for new planning permissions which was launched on 12 February 2024 to support nature recovery. This means that new developments must provide a 10% gain for biodiversity, and that where it is not possible to deliver the net gain, on-site developers will invest in off-site habitat creation and enhancement.

Scotland

• Multi-functional urban nature-based solutions will enable people and biodiversity to adapt to our changing climate by cooling the urban environment and managing extreme rainfall events, with blue and green infrastructure designed and managed to benefit biodiversity, provide habitats and allow wildlife to move through urban areas. 
• Towns and cities will include nature-rich environments close to all communities, contributing to Nature Networks and measurable increases in urban biodiversity.
• We will ensure that every local authority area has a Nature Network improving ecological connectivity across Scotland. 
• The Natural Health Service supports the health sector to embrace green exercise as part of policy and practice. This will see nature-based health programmes used as part of health promotion and improvement and encourage healthier lifestyle behaviours.
• We will systematically mainstream biodiversity across sectors and the wider policy landscape (e.g. energy, housing, industry, education, health and transport). 

Wales

• We will continue to implement Planning Policy Wales in relation to local authority green infrastructure strategies and Net Benefits for Biodiversity.
• We will plan the development of green infrastructure at the heart of our communities to deliver space for recreation, transport corridors for cycling and walking, resilience against flooding and heat, and provide important spaces for nature.
• We will ensure our communities benefit from healthy environments, by identifying opportunities to take actions that improve respiratory conditions, inactivity and mental health. These include increasing green space and tree cover and improving public access to green infrastructure. We will support communities to improve places where they live and work, tackling local environmental issues such as litter and fly tipping which affects mental and physical health.
• We will ensure tree planting delivered through Woodlands for Wales is carried out in key urban areas and other key locations to deliver adaptation..
• Through our Local Places for Nature Programme, we will support communities to create 'nature on your doorstep', with a particular focus on urban and peri-urban areas.

Northern Ireland

• We will continue to encourage inclusion of blue and green infrastructure and nature-based solutions in all new infrastructure projects to increase green areas for human health and well-being and improve resilience to changes in climate.
• We will develop a Community Trail Network and green and blue infrastructure plan in all district council areas by 2028.
• We will ensure an annual increase in the percentage of households that have publicly accessible quality natural space of >2 ha within 400m and at least one site >20 ha in size within 2km.
• We will increase the off-road network of both local community trails and regionally significant Northern Ireland wide routes including recreational walking, cycling and horse riding.
• We will review and update our policies and legislation relating to landscapes to work towards the vision that by 2030 the natural beauty and character of our landscapes and seascapes is protected, maintained, enhanced and enjoyed by everyone responsibly.

UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies 

The Falkland Islands

• We will continue to implement the Stanley Common Management Plan and undertake ongoing policy development for the Common, recognising its importance as an open space for the public and National Nature Reserve. 

Gibraltar

• We will continue to work towards a Green Gibraltar through the creation of new green spaces in the north and south and connecting green ways along Queensway.
• We will increase the creation of green spaces, including vertical spaces such as vertical forests, living walls, new parks and city trees. 
• We will establish a legal mechanism for the inclusion of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and develop a BNG tool.

The Isle of Man

• We will provide support for the targeted initiatives that produce conserved and cherished landscapes, enhance biodiversity, sequester carbon and improve water quality, reduce flooding and reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of the Climate Change agenda.

England

• We will create nine new National River Walks, one in every region of England.
• We will establish three new national forests.
• We will consult on measures to ensure that everyone has access to nature close to home and to strengthen the public’s legal rights to access through the Access to Nature Green Paper, to be published during this Parliament. This will include exploring the feasibility of increased access onto unregulated waterways.
• We will extend our Access for All programme, to include National Trails from 2025. This will support accessibility infrastructure in the countryside such as improved paths, installation of disabled toilets and replacement of stiles with accessible alternatives.
• We will publish further details on supporting access to new and existing woodlands in a new Trees Action Plan, to be published in 2026.
• We will deliver a new National Trail along the route of the Coast-to-Coast path by spring 2026.
• We will complete delivery of the King Charles III England Coast Path by Spring 2026.
• We will create new publicly accessible woodlands, as part of the government’s tree canopy and woodland cover target, through expansion of the Public Forest Estate, with over 780 ha of woodland added to the Public Forest Estate by the end of 2026.
• We will publish an evaluation framework by April 2026 to improve how health and wellbeing outcomes from outdoor interventions are evaluated and included in decision-making across sectors.
• We will publish an evaluation report of phase 2 of the Green Social Prescribing (GSP) programme by spring 2026. The report will build on findings from the previous evaluation and deepen understanding of value for money, data tracking through the GSP pathway, and explore sustainable funding options.
• The National Planning Policy Framework states that planning policies and decisions should ensure that new streets are tree-lined, that opportunities are taken to incorporate trees elsewhere in developments (such as parks and community orchards), that appropriate measures are in place to secure the long-term maintenance of newly-planted trees, and that existing trees are retained wherever possible.
• We will publish Local Nature Recovery Strategies to cover the whole of England for use by public, private and voluntary sectors to deliver nature recovery and wider environmental commitments by the end of 2025 or shortly after.

Scotland 

• Our National Planning Framework 4 places a spatial planning priority on Sustainable Places so we can restore and better connect our biodiversity. Embedded in this are our Nature Networks and blue and green infrastructure policies to ensure access to quality, well-connected urban spaces.
• The Pollinator Strategy for Scotland 2017–2027 sets out key ways in which urban areas can act to improve, and then benefit from, enhanced biodiversity.
• Through the Green Infrastructure Fund and Green Infrastructure Community Engagement Fund, we will continue to support projects in some of our most deprived areas to improve and invest in local green infrastructure and deliver benefits from nature to the local community.
• The Local Path Network provides people with routes for recreation and active travel across Scotland, connecting people with the natural environment.
• The Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code provides a guide to best practice for watching marine wildlife.

Wales

• Planning Policy Wales includes Chapter 6 ‘Distinctiveness and Natural Places’ that links together accessible and high-quality green space, physical and mental well-being and resilient biodiversity and ecosystems. It sets out Green Infrastructure Assessments that all planning authorities must undertake. By considering the interactions between the built and the natural environment, it is possible to develop in a way that not only avoids damaging the environment but enhances it, and can also help to ensure that the benefits that we get from the natural environment will be delivered to the places that need them.
• Our Action Plan for Pollinators sets out an action to promote, create and enhance diverse and connected flowering habitats in our towns, cities and developed areas.
• Prosperity for all: a climate conscious Wales sets out a plan and actions to be taken including delivering woodland creation in Wales, a design for a National Forest of Wales and delivering more urban green infrastructure through nature-based solutions. 
• Net Benefits for Biodiversity is the Welsh Government’s policy approach to new developments which puts an emphasis on proactive consideration of biodiversity and wider ecosystem benefits within a placemaking context early in the design process.
• The Local Places for Nature Programme is funded by the Welsh Government and aims to 'create nature on your doorstep'—particularly in urban and peri-urban areas to create more green spaces and encourage a greater appreciation of nature.

Northern Ireland

• Exercise Explore Enjoy – A Strategic plan for Greenways sets out plans for a network of greenways, connecting towns and cities to the villages and countryside across all eleven councils of Northern Ireland.
• The People in the Outdoors Monitor for Northern Ireland (POMNI) is a large-scale population survey that gathers detailed data on how adults in Northern Ireland access, use, and enjoy the outdoors, and the benefits people, communities and society gain. POMNI enables the monitoring of key trends over the long-term and produce statistically robust data to inform policy and targeting of funding.
• By 2027, the creation of a consolidated and expanded geospatial map of all publicly accessible natural space and trails incorporating Accessible Space Standards for Northern Ireland will provide people with routes for recreation and active travel across Northern Ireland, connecting people with the natural environment.
• Adopt A Spot is a government supported project with a main aim to encourage people to love where they live by looking after nature and creating greener, happier spaces for all.

UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies 

The Falkland Islands

• The Falkland Islands Environment Strategy 2021–2040 sets out the Falkland Islands’ objectives for the next 20 years, so that we can work towards a shared vision for the future of our environment.

Gibraltar

• The Gibraltar National Park was created in 2023 to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and natural and cultural heritage of the listed areas as well as promoting opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of these areas by the public. 
• The 25 Year Environment Plan sets out Gibraltar’s long-term strategy for protecting and enhancing its environment over the next quarter century. It provides a structured framework to guide policy, planning and environmental management.
• The Gibraltar Development Plan sets out planning policies that protect and enhance green areas in the urban environment.