In July 2024, I announced a rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan 2023 (EIP23), to conclude before the end of the year, to make sure it can deliver our ambitious targets to save nature.

I confirm the government – with invaluable input and advice from external partners and stakeholders - has undertaken this rapid review. This forms a vital stage of information collection as part of a wider, statutory review which will be completed when the new government introduces a revised EIP in 2025. This plan will be streamlined and prioritised to drive the actions needed to protect and restore our natural environment.

The rapid review has been informed by a range of voices inside and outside government. I want to thank all contributing organisations for their positive and constructive engagement.

The rapid review has looked at how the EIP23 is performing, including:

• progress in delivering the EIP23, since January 2023 when the EIP was last reviewed.
• environmental data and indicators of change in the natural environment
• expected delivery of existing measures against Environment Act targets

While progress in delivering the EIP23 is ongoing, the review revealed some key areas where improvements could be made, including:

• opportunities to better co-ordinate evidence with others to better understand where action is needed or can be better targeted/focused
• clarifying delivery and accountability in the plan so it is easier to see what and who is contributing to a goal or target
• a clear process for prioritisation, which could help with assessing competing demands.
• stronger engagement and collaboration with stakeholders
• simplified, sustained funding and tackling skills and capacity issues

In revising the plan, we aim to:

• be clear on the role of cross cutting enablers for environmental delivery across government and wider society and how actions interface as part of a system to improve the natural environment
• highlight how protecting and enhancing our natural capital is not just for its own sake but supports wider societal outcomes including the Government’s missions for clean energy and growth
• clarify Environment Act target delivery plans and update their corresponding interim targets to cover the 5-year period from completion of the review, in line with statutory requirements
• clarify how the EIP will be delivered, including the role of government departments and bodies, environmental NGOs, businesses, farmers, landowners/managers, local government and the public
• streamline and prioritise non statutory commitments to make sure that the EIP focuses on key actions that result in meaningful delivery towards environmental improvement, contributing to statutory targets and priority outcomes

The rapid review has marked the start of a process of engagement in developing a clearer, prioritised plan. We will need to harness the expertise of different sectors as we revise the EIP. We will continue to expand our stakeholder engagement to do just that.

Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs