The window to halt the decline of England’s natural environment is rapidly closing, according to the environmental watchdog. In its latest report, the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) warns that the government is failing to meet most of its targets aimed at improving the environment.

Despite this, some of Labour’s initiatives have received praise from the OEP. The establishment of a water commission and the development of a new environmental improvement plan were highlighted as positive steps in the annual review assessing government progress on legally binding environmental targets.

The OEP’s chair, Glenys Stacey, said: “With each passing month, the window of opportunity to redress environmental harms is closing, while the effort needed and cost to do so increases. This government must act urgently and decisively to catch up if it is to meet its legal obligations.

“Catch up not just by developing plans, but then by fully and effectively implementing them. It has several legally binding commitments only a few years away. The window of opportunity is closing fast.”

The OEP was created after Brexit to ensure government accountability under the Environment Act 2021, which replaced EU regulations. While the EU could sanction member states for failing environmental standards, the UK needed an internal mechanism to hold its ministers accountable after leaving the bloc.

Assessing the government’s performance on 43 environmental targets and commitments, the OEP found that it was largely on track for nine, partially on track for 12, and largely off track for 20. A “partially on track” status indicates progress but an expected failure to meet the target. Two targets could not be assessed due to insufficient evidence. Comparatively, last year’s assessment found the government largely on track for four targets, partially on track for 11, and largely off track for 10.

Some improvements have been made, particularly in pollution control. Levels of certain air pollutants, such as PM2.5, are decreasing, and measures addressing water pollutants like phosphorus have seen progress. Additionally, the decline in species abundance appears to be slowing.

However, significant concerns remain, particularly regarding the marine environment, biodiversity, and achieving “thriving plants and wildlife.” The OEP’s chief scientist, Robbie McDonald, noted that England’s oceans are unlikely to meet their 2027 ecological status targets due to pressures such as overfishing and pollution.

Although the previous government established marine protected areas (MPAs), destructive practices like bottom trawling continue unchecked within them, undermining conservation efforts.

“We should already have been taking action to stop damaging actions in MPAs,” McDonald said. “This needs to happen now.”

The report emphasises the critical need for adequate funding and regulation of England’s protected natural areas, including sites of special scientific interest and national landscapes.

“There are not an awful lot of quick wins but we will always turn to the importance of how we can get nature-friendly farming right,” McDonald said. “Anything the government can do to put the wind in the sails of building networks of farmers to drive nature recovery at scale, we would say that should be prioritised.”

However, funding for these areas is expected to be reduced in the upcoming spending review, posing additional risks to conservation efforts.

The report also highlights the need to expand nature-friendly farming initiatives to aid environmental recovery. It points out that farmers are the primary contributors to increased tree planting, as England’s tree action plan, which supported woodland expansion, concluded last year.

It said that while farming schemes “are foreseen as the primary vehicle for tree planting, the government cannot rely solely on these”.

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “After years of failure, nature across Britain is suffering. The report is absolutely right to point out that the window to fix it is closing.

“This is why the government is taking urgent action to put nature on the road to recovery which has been welcomed by the OEP.”

To effectively protect and restore nature, stronger policies, sustained investment, and stricter regulations are essential. Without urgent action, England’s natural environment will continue to deteriorate, with lasting consequences for biodiversity and ecosystems.