Defra Assessment of areas that count towards the 30by30 target
18 Mar 2026
The Defra 30by30 initiative is the UK government’s commitment—led by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra)—to ensure that 30% of land and sea is effectively protected for nature by 2030. This pledge aligns with the global 30by30 biodiversity target agreed at the UN Biodiversity Summit (COP15) in 2022.
In England, the plan focuses on identifying, protecting, and improving areas that can deliver real in‑situ conservation outcomes, supported by clear criteria for purpose, protection, and management. These criteria ensure that land counted towards 30by30 is genuinely secured and managed for nature recovery over the long term.
Defra is developing detailed guidance and a delivery strategy to expand these areas, working with stakeholders across farming, conservation, and local communities. The initiative aims not only to increase the quantity of protected land but also to improve its ecological quality, helping reverse biodiversity decline and strengthen the resilience of habitats across England.
An update on 18 March 2026, Defra 30by30 Update, outlines spatial analysis used by DEFRA to assess areas of land across England that meet the 30by30 criteria or have potential to meet the criteria in the future.