The UK government has announced a strengthened Environmental Improvement Plan aimed at restoring England’s natural environment, cutting pollution and supporting sustainable economic growth.
The revised strategy, published on Monday 1 December 2025, outlines a five-year roadmap backed by hundreds of millions of pounds to revitalise landscapes, improve air and water quality, and protect wildlife
Under new measures, population exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) — a pollutant linked to asthma, lung disease and heart conditions — will be reduced by 30% by 2030 compared with 2018 levels. The target is expected to save lives, improve quality of life, and ease long-term pressure on the NHS.
Nature recovery is also set for a significant boost, with the government pledging to create or restore 250,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat by the end of the decade — 110,000 hectares more than previously committed.
A further target aims to halve the presence of damaging invasive species such as American Signal Crayfish and Japanese Knotweed relative to levels 25 years ago.
The updated plan is supported by £500 million for Landscape Recovery projects bringing together farmers and land managers to restore nature, reduce flood risk and boost water quality. An additional £85 million will fund peatland restoration, while £3 million will improve access to nature across Public Forest Estates.
Other measures include the first government strategy to reduce risks from PFAS ‘forever chemicals’, a review of sewage sludge spreading, a new Trees Action Plan, and measures to curb agricultural methane emissions.
The government will work with communities, farmers, businesses and local authorities to implement the plan, with ministers emphasising the approach will create economic opportunities while ensuring future generations inherit a healthier environment.
