UK Target 8: The UK will minimise the impact of climate change and ocean acidification on biodiversity and increase its resilience through mitigation, adaptation and disaster risk reduction actions, including through nature-based solutions and/or ecosystem-based approaches, while minimising negative and fostering positive impacts of climate action on biodiversity.

Commitments:

UK

• In accordance with the Paris Agreement, we will continue to prepare, communicate and maintain successive National Determined Contributions (NDCs) and pursue domestic mitigation measures with the aim of achieving our NDC objectives. We remain committed to delivering our NDC of at least a 68% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions on 1990 levels by 2030 and at least an 81% reduction by 2035 compared to 1990 levels. We will continue to work with Parties to the Paris Agreement to keep the average global temperature to 1.5^oC above pre-industrial levels. 
• We are committed to working both domestically and with Parties to the Paris Agreement and non-Party stakeholders to make progress against the new global targets established in the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience, which was adopted at COP28, including the target on ecosystems and biodiversity, recognising areas of synergies with other frameworks.
• Our commitments for decarbonising transport emissions have secondary benefits for biodiversity, including:
  • the introduction of the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate in January 2024 (the Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes Order), requiring an increasing percentage of manufactured new cars and vans to be zero emission from 2024, alongside a commitment to restore the phase-out date of 2030 for new cars with internal combustion engines.
  • delivery of a net zero rail network by 2050.
  • Our plan for aviation decarbonisation, including the recently announced Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandate. 

England

• We have committed in law to produce and publish an assessment of climate change impacts in a Climate Change Risk Assessment every five years. In 2023, the UK Government published the third National Adaptation Programme (NAP), which sets out England’s response to the impact of changing climatic conditions on biodiversity, as well as the impact of ocean acidification, on marine species, habitats and fisheries. We will publish the fourth NAP in 2028.
• We will restore and create over 500,000 ha of wildlife-rich habitat outside of protected sites by 2042, We will do this in a manner that is suitable in the context of climate change.
• We will ensure that by December 2030, 50% of Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) features have actions on track by 2030 to achieve favourable condition.
• We will restore approximately 280,000 ha of peatland in England by 2050.
• We will increase tree canopy and woodland cover to 16.5% of total land area in England by 2050, with an interim target to 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 ha).
• We will reduce the number of new establishments of all invasive non-native species (INNS) in Great Britain (GB) by at least 50% by 2030 (compared to 2000 levels) and reduce further impacts of INNS that are already established under a changing climate.
• Delivery of the England Trees Action Plan was supported through funding under the 2020 to 2025 Nature for Climate Fund. 
• We will deliver an improved evidence base to monitor wildfires, through fire and rescue service incident data.
• We will fund research to address the risk of wildfire.

Scotland

• We will restore over 250,000 ha of peatland with £250 million of investment over 10 years, protecting this significant carbon store, and restoring wetland habitats. 
• We will ensure that 21% of our land will be covered by forest, following increased funding of £150 million as well as our target of planting 18,000 ha.
• We will assess the network of Marine Protected Areas in respect of the resilience of marine biodiversity to climate change, based on the information and methodology from the regional assessment conducted by the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR).
• As part of the Scottish Government’s Low Carbon Fund, Scottish Forestry will receive an additional £100 million to increase new planting, and Forestry and Land Scotland will receive an additional £30 million to expand Scotland’s national forests and land. We will also provide £20 million to further increase tree nursery capacity, investing in new and redeveloped facilities to support higher production. This investment will enable us to increase woodland creation from the current level of 12,000 ha in 2020/21 up to 18,000 ha in 2024/25, ensuring that forestry and woodlands play an important role in cutting emissions and sequestering carbon.
• The Scottish Government’s Carbon Neutral Islands (CNI) project supports six islands in Scotland (Yell, Hoy, Raasay, Great Cumbrae, Islay and Barra) to become carbon neutral by 2040. It does so duly considering the mitigation potential of climate change nature-based solutions and the need for greater adaptation in line with ecosystem protection and restoration. In particular, the CNI project focusses on peatland restoration and on afforestation in line with the needs and interests of the island communities.

Wales

• The Environment (Wales) Act 2016 requires the Welsh Government to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in Wales to net zero for the year 2050 through a series of carbon budgets.
• In late 2026, the Welsh Government will publish Wales’ plan for delivering Carbon Budget 3, covering the period from 2026 to 2030.
• The Development Bank of Wales has committed to supporting Net Zero and climate adaptation targets. This includes the launch of the Bank’s Green Business Loan Scheme, providing Welsh businesses with a package of support to help them reduce carbon emissions and save on future energy bills.
• We will develop our updated Climate Resilient Wales Strategy by 2025.

Northern Ireland

• We will ensure implementation of the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022, including development and implementation of five-yearly climate action plans in order to achieve the statutory five yearly carbon budgets, which will be set under the Act, and the 2030, 2040 and 2050 emissions reduction targets within the Act.
• We will increase Northern Ireland’s woodland cover to at least 9% (124,000 ha) to benefit the economy and society.
• We will implement the Northern Ireland Peatland Strategy to 2040 and ensure  peatland restoration is significantly upscaled towards meeting 63% of peatlands in Northern Ireland being restored by 2040.
• We will publish a Nature-based Solutions Plan to enhance ecological and climate resilience.
• We will establish a Just Transition Commission to oversee the implementation of the just transition elements of the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 and to provide advice to Northern Ireland departments on just transition matters, to help ensure that Northern Ireland’s pathway to net zero is fair for everyone.
• We will implement actions within the Northern Ireland Blue Carbon Action Plan 2025–2030 that will contribute to increased resilience through recovery and restoration of blue carbon habitats and use of nature-based solutions.

UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies

The British Virgin Islands 

• By 2036, we will establish partnerships to assist with coral bleaching while continuing to replant and preserve mangroves and salt ponds.
• By 2036, we will focus on accelerating implementation of the British Virgin Islands National Climate Change Adaptation Policy and develop appropriate legislative and regulatory frameworks for proper environmental and ecosystems management, and institutional systems for responding to and mitigating the effects of climate change to reduce vulnerability.
• We will build the resilience of the region’s biodiversity to climate change and natural hazards. Key targets include advancing research, information sharing and data analysis on climate change impacts on the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) region and the use of Protected Area Networks as a tool to enhance climate resilience.

The Falkland Islands

• We will undertake research to understand the potential of native ecosystems for mitigating and offsetting carbon emissions, e.g. peatlands, wetlands and marine ecosystems.
• We will increase our understanding of how climate change could impact our species and ecosystems, particularly those that also experience effects of commercial exploitation, and increase our understanding of climate change impacts on fisheries through scientific studies.
• We will develop a mitigation and adaption plan for climate change that will include addressing the challenges of drying land, water management and rainfall.

Gibraltar

• We will curb emissions and deliver on the Paris Agreement, through sound environmental governance to include: the implementation of legislation and action plans, the development of renewable energies, energy efficiency and environmentally conscious development.
• We will implement climate change adaptation and resilience measures to include greening our city by committing to plant a minimum number of trees each year;  creating green walkways over roads and pathways to protect from the elements; and increasing green infrastructure such as green roofs, city parks and green walks.
• We will meet binding emissions targets to reduce emissions by 42% from 1990 levels by 2035 and to be net zero by 2045. 

Guernsey

• We will reduce carbon emissions by 57% on 1990 levels by 2030 and achieve Net Zero by 2050, which will be achieved through a combination of measures, including nature-based solutions.

The Isle of Man

• By 2025, Government will monitor, understand and will take measures to meet the biodiversity challenges posed by climate change.
• By 2025, we will ensure that no human activities contribute additional stress to vulnerable Island ecosystems already impacted by climate change or ocean acidification.
• We will complete Phases 1a and 1b of the Blue Carbon Project and develop a Blue Carbon Strategy based on the results.
• We will undertake and facilitate tree planting, peatland restoration and other nature-based solutions, where possible leveraging private sector investment.

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands 

• By 2024, a report on the effects of climate change in terms of the terrestrial ecosystems in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands will be completed, including an assessment of potential future changes and approaches.

UK

• The UK Joint Fisheries Statement sets out the policies for achieving, or contributing to the achievement of, the eight fisheries objectives in the Fisheries Act 2020: the sustainability objective, the precautionary objective, the ecosystem objective, the scientific evidence objective, the bycatch objective, the equal access objective, the national benefit objective and the climate change objective.
• The UK has committed additional finance for domestic blue carbon habitat restoration. As part of this, the UK has provided funding to establish a Restoring Meadow, Marsh and Reef programme office. The initiative aims to reverse centuries of decline of estuarine and coastal habitats by restoring seagrass meadows, saltmarsh and native oyster reefs.
• The UK Blue Carbon Evidence Partnership (UKBCEP) is progressing the evidence base on blue carbon habitats in UK waters, advancing our commitment to protecting and restoring blue carbon habitats as a nature-based solution. The UKBCEP’s Evidence Needs Statement shows the UK’s ambition to fill critical evidence gaps so that we can better restore and understand our vital blue carbon habitats.
• Through the Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership (MCCIP), the UK is improving our understanding of the impacts of climate change, including ocean acidification. We have agreed funding for MCCIP to undertake work to develop understanding of marine ecosystem impacts under projected future climate scenarios, helping to address risks in the third Climate Change Risk Assessment, current National Adaptation Programme and beyond.
• The UK supports the sharing of ocean acidification monitoring data and information throughout the North-east Atlantic via support for the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network.

England

• We will work with stakeholders to create and restore habitats and ecosystem functions, including those most at risk from climate change. This includes restoring and creating over 500,000 ha of wildlife-rich habitat outside of protected sites by 2042, in a manner that is suitable in the context of climate change. Some of the actions taken to meet targets for increasing woodland cover and peatland restoration will contribute to this habitat restoration and creation target.
• The Landscape Recovery scheme is supporting projects that aim to restore and appropriately manage wildlife-rich habitats, rivers, and protected sites, and strategically create new habitats to improve connectivity, all of which will increase the resilience of our ecosystems to climate change.
• We will support farmers and land managers to manage wildlife-rich habitat using appropriate agri-environment options for the habitat type, so the habitat can stay, or become of, sufficient quality.
• We will use the Nature Restoration Fund to pool developer contributions for environmental mitigations, allowing for strategic conservation measures at scale. In 2026 we will launch the first set of Environmental Delivery Plans to enable the roll-out of the fund.
• We will deliver up to 300,000 ha of wildlife-rich habitat creation and restoration by 2042 through agri-environment scheme agreements running since 2023. We will deliver up to 200,000 ha of peatland restoration and woodland creation.
• We will lead Restoring Meadow Marsh and Reef, a practical initiative working with our partners towards a more resilient English coast by restoring, recovering and enhancing priority habitats such as seagrass, saltmarshes and native oyster reefs.
• We will legislate for a ban on the sale of peat and peat containing products when parliamentary time allows.
• We will publish the Peatland Restoration Register in 2026. The register will be a centralised geospatial record of restoration projects across England, allowing us to track progress and make it easier to identify peatland areas requiring restoration management.
• We will invest £85 million in improving and restoring our peatlands, supporting us in our long-term ambitions to unblock delivery for up to 23 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) savings by 2050.
• We will publish a Trees Action Plan in 2026 to set out how we will improve the resilience and condition of England’s trees, woods and forests.
• We will incentivise the planting of high-quality woodlands and trees outside of woodland with a further £816 million of funding between 2026 to 2027 and 2029 to 2030 financial years, including by continuing the England Woodland Creation Offer.
• We will improve the condition of ancient semi-natural woodland and restore plantations on ancient woodland sites back to semi-natural woodland habitat through our agri-environment schemes.
• We will continue to support stakeholders to target activity to support vulnerable species and habitats, including larger-scale multi-taxa projects through the Third National Adaptation Programme (NAP3) implementation period to 2028 and beyond to support their specific ecological requirements and increase their resilience and adaptive capacity to climate change risks.
• We will review the Wildfire Framework for England to provide clarity on roles and responsibilities.
• We will include a category for wildfires in the fire and rescue service incident data, via the Fire and Rescue Data Platform, following approval of the change to the Single Data List.
• We will conduct research on increasing the natural resilience of habitats to wildfires, such as through re-wetting or restoring hydrological function, including case studies of success, by 2030. An initial scoping review will be reported on in the annual progress report in 2027. This will develop our understanding of actions we can take to naturally reduce the risk of wildfires.

Scotland

• The Climate Change Act (Scotland) 2019 legislates ambitious legally binding emissions reduction targets, including net zero by 2045. In 2026, we will publish our next Climate Change Plan update, detailing how we will reduce emissions across our economy.  
• We will implement the measures in our recently published Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024 ─ 2029 to ensure our ecosystems are protected and resilient to the effects of climate change. 

Wales

• Net Zero Wales sets out our journey to make Wales net zero by 2050.
• Prosperity for all: a climate conscious Wales is a Climate Change Adaptation plan for Wales, describing how Wales will adapt to climate change from 2020–2025.
• The National Peatland Action Plan 2025–2030 is Wales’ second five-year plan of peatland restoration to address the nature and climate emergencies under six priorities that will restore peatlands and enable them to capture, safeguard and store carbon, regulate water supply, restoration habitats, as well as regulate greenhouse gases.

Northern Ireland

• The  Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 recognises the important and interdependent relationship between nature and climate, sets the local framework for the achievement of Net Zero by 2050 through a series of five-yearly limits on emissions known as carbon budgets. It also has a specific requirement to set biodiversity targets. Each carbon budget must be delivered through a set of policies and proposals contained within a Climate Action Plan, the first of which is currently under development.
• The Northern Ireland Climate Change Adaptation Programme is a series of statutory plans that include the recently concluded second Climate Change Adaptation Programme (2019–2024) and the developing third Climate Change Adaptation Programme (2024–2029), mandated by the UK Climate Change Act to build resilience to climate impacts, focusing on areas such as natural capital, infrastructure, and food security. 
• The Northern Ireland Peatland Strategy to 2040 sets the direction of travel over the next two decades and beyond. It provides a framework to guide the conservation and restoration of peatland habitats in Northern Ireland. Implementation of the strategy will also play an important role in the Department’s work in relation to biodiversity conservation, climate change and the wider Green Growth agenda. 
• The Northern Ireland Blue Carbon Action Plan 2025–2030 provides the foundation for the protection and restoration of our blue carbon habitats. It will work to provide nature-based solutions to mitigate climate change through the absorption of carbon dioxide in the Northern Ireland inshore area.
• The draft Marine Protected Areas Strategy for the Northern Ireland Inshore Region highlights the importance that Marine Protected Areas play in addressing biodiversity loss and their potential application as a nature-based solution to support adaptation and resilience to climate change.

UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies

The British Virgin Islands

• Vision 2036: Building a Sustainable Virgin Islands sets out the overall vision to have a well-balanced, people-centred Virgin Islands built on spirituality, social justice and equality; nurtured by trust, cultural knowledge and participatory governance; and strengthened by economic, environmental and social sustainability. 

The Falkland Islands

• The Islands Plan 2022–2026 sets out the blueprint for the Legislative Assembly and will stand as proof of the actions that we intend to take on behalf of generations to come. This includes refreshing the biosecurity strategy for the island.
• 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 Climate Change Act 2019 is the main legislative instrument to drive down emissions in Gibraltar. 
• The Climate Change Strategy published in 2021 sets out short, medium and long term targets across the energy, transport and building sectors, as well as general cross cutting measures to deliver the legally binding emissions target of net zero by 2045. 
• Gibraltar has conducted a Climate Change Risk and Vulnerability Assessment, which identifies that biodiversity has a high sensitivity to climate change with only a medium/high adaptive capacity, making it fairly vulnerable to climate impacts. 
• The 25 Year Environment Plan sets out a range of measures to protect and conserve biodiversity on the Rock, to tackle climate change and to introduce nature based solutions that contribute to tackling both the ecological and climate crises (e.g. reintroduction of seagrass meadows).

Guernsey

• Guernsey formally joined the Paris Agreement in December 2023. It has produced a Climate Change Policy (2020), which is intrinsically linked to the Island’s biodiversity strategy, outlining the importance of both preserving the natural environment and working with nature.
• In 2025, Guernsey adopted a Pathway to Net Zero that sets out incremental contributions to achieve Net Zero by 2050 in seven-year cycles.

The Isle of Man 

• Managing our Natural Wealth, The Isle of Man's First Biodiversity Strategy 2015–2025 sets out a vision for the future health of our biodiversity, and maps out the framework for action to conserve and enhance our natural richness for the health, enjoyment and economic well-being of all the people of Isle of Man. This includes details on how the Island plans to mitigate the impacts of climate change. 

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands 

• The South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Terrestrial Protected Area Management Plan provides information on the South Sandwich Islands Terrestrial Protected Area and conservation objectives and activities taking place to protect this environment.