14 March 2024

Press Release

For immediate release

UK nature facing irreversible decline without urgent political action on the environment – WWF

WWF launches 2024 manifesto calling to halt species decline and restore nature by 2030
Legally binding environmental targets at risk without swift action by next UK Government
Three in five UK adults think politicians are doing too little to tackle climate change

Three out of five UK adults (62%) think that politicians are doing too little to tackle climate change, while nearly a third (31%) of those surveyed believe the government is doing less on climate change than a year ago, according to new YouGov research published today to mark the launch of WWF’s 2024 Manifesto.

The new findings show that two-thirds (66%) of adults in the UK are worried about climate change and its effects – rising to nearly three-quarters of the under 50s.i One in five (20%) UK adults say the environment is one of the top three most important issues facing the country at this time.

Launching today, WWF’s manifesto warns that the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries on the planet – and the most nature-depleted country in the G7 and the G20. From puffins to bluebells, bumblebees to mountain hares, UK wildlife is feeling the heat from climate change and struggling to adapt. The manifesto highlights that a quarter of UK mammals – including red squirrels, hedgehogs and wildcats – are now at risk of extinction.ii

With a General Election firmly on the horizon, the charity’s manifesto urges all political parties to take urgent and decisive action to save our planet. For too long the promises made to save our climate and nature have been broken, delayed or watered down, with successive governments missing key opportunities to act.

The UK government has promised to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 68% and to halt the decline of species by 2030 but is way off track – prompting both the independent Climate Change Committeeiii and the Office for Environmental Protectioniv to repeatedly express concern about the pace of change. To stand any chance of restoring nature by 2030, and of limiting climate change to 1.5C of warming, the next UK government must be prepared to take bold action on many fronts.

WWF’s manifesto sets out a blueprint to bring our world back to life, calling on all political parties to:

Tackle the triple challenge of protecting our climate, nature and food security:

Commit to groundbreaking legislation – a Living Planet Act – which delivers science-based action and accountability to ensure climate, nature and nutritional targets are actually met.
Ensure the UK’s land and sea use supports our climate, nature and food security – now and in the future.

Introduce a 21st Century Framework for Finance and the Green Economy:

Turbocharge net zero through effective public investment and increased private finance.
Ensure company transition plans for climate and nature are aligned.
Develop national and sector-by-sector plans for a nature-positive future.

Secure a resilient and nature-rich future for food and farming:

Support farmers to cut emissions and restore nature.
Set core environmental standards for trade and food imports.
End the UK’s contribution to deforestation and land degradation globally.

Tanya Steele, chief executive of WWF, said:

“Our polling shows that there is clear support from the public for politicians to prioritise the environment. We urge all parties in this election year to commit to protecting people who are facing rising bills and food insecurity, by rewiring our economy to be nature and climate-positive, from the way we heat our homes and the way we travel, to the way we grow and buy our food. There is no time to lose if we are to tackle the triple challenge of ensuring that how we use our land and seas supports our climate, nature and food security now and in the future.”

Earlier this month WWF launched a nationwide petition calling on all political leaders to stop fueling the destruction of nature. Since going live, support for the petition has gathered pace with more than 16,000 signatures already.

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Notes to editors:

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,105 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 4th-5th March 2024. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+)