Defra has set out further detail of its 25 Year Environment Plan commitment for a Nature Recovery Network (NRN) – a national network of connected, wildlife-rich places which seeks to boost biodiversity, wellbeing and the climate change response.
Defra said its objectives for the NRN by 2042 are to:
• restore 75% of protected sites on land (including freshwaters) to favourable condition so nature can thrive;
• create or restore 500,000 hectares of additional wildlife-rich habitat outside of protected sites;
• recover threatened and iconic animal and plant species by providing more, diverse and better connected habitats;
• support work to increase woodland cover; and
• achieve a range of environmental, economic and social benefits, such as carbon capture, flood management, clean water, pollination and recreation.
A management group led by Natural England and supported by Defra, the Environment Agency and the Forestry Commission will oversee partnership-based delivery. The department has set up the NRN Delivery Partnership, a network of cross-sectoral organisations who will work together to carry out action for nature. It said organisations within any sector who are willing to commit to nature’s recovery can join this partnership, including private business, charities and the government sector.
Public funding will come via an integrated route, including from the Nature Recovery Fund, the Nature for Climate Fund, the Green Recovery Challenge Fund, Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Land Management. Private finance and partner contributions are also being explored.
The Environment Bill underpins the government’s approach to establishing the NRN, including by setting the framework for at least one legally binding biodiversity target.
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