Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to their commitment to the 30by30 target to protect at least 30 per cent of land and ocean by 2030, what steps they will take to increase the proportion of protected (1) land in England from 3.22 per cent, and (2) waters in England from 8 per cent.

The UK Government is committed to protecting 30% of land and sea in the UK by 2030 (30by30). We consulted on our approach to 30by30 in the Nature Recovery Green Paper and will respond in due course.

The 30by30 target is a global target. Nearly 8.3% of the global ocean is now protected. Achieving a global 30by30 target will require an international effort, from all countries and sectors. The UK is leading the way. We have established a comprehensive network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) covering 40% of English waters, and we are now focusing on making sure they are properly protected. Nearly 60% of our 178 English MPAs are already protected from damaging fishing activity, including byelaws last year in the first four offshore sites, which ban bottom towed gear over sensitive habitats. We are aiming to have all MPAs in English waters protected from damaging fishing activity by 2024.