The 2030 Circle Programmes: Restoring the nature on our doorstep
2030 Goal
By 2030, UK land, rivers and seas in Wholescape locations will be transformed to aid nature recovery, help meet net zero targets and produce sustainable food – in partnership with, and for the benefit of, local communities.
Why focus on UK nature
The UK is home to some of the most diverse and beautiful wildlife on Earth. Our isles have more ancient oak trees than the rest of Europe put together; 60% of the world’s chalk streams flow in southern England; and our remaining flower meadows are a vital refuge for breeding birds and butterflies. From sheltered sea lochs to wild open waters, seaweed beds to deep water coral – the UK’s coasts and seas are also rich in wildlife with vibrant ecosystems of seagrass meadows, kelp forests, and coral habitats supporting everything from tiny invertebrates to basking sharks and grey seals.
Yet, our actions are pushing nature to the brink, making the UK one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. We have lost 95% of our wildflower meadows, only 15% of our rivers are in ‘good’ condition, and 1 in 4 of our mammals are at risk of extinction. Climate change, pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction are pushing our vital marine environments to the brink. At current rates, we'll lose over half of our remaining UK critical coastal habitats by 2050.
This loss of natural capital will affect us all
In 2020, the UK government promised that, by 2030, 30% of the UK’s land and sea would be protected – but this is not on track. Currently, just 5% of the UK’s land is being protected effectively for nature. The UK Environment, Fisheries and Agriculture Acts that have recently been passed will help enable us to protect and restore our precious nature, however, time is running out to ensure these commitments are translated into action at scale.
The collective action of the 2030 Circle could help secure a future where protecting nature, climate and people go hand-in-hand — right here on our doorstep.
The story so far
To tackle the the ‘Triple Challenge’, we need an interconnected approach to managing our lands, rivers and seas and the human activities that affect them.
In the UK, we’re demonstrating how the Triple Challenge can be addressed through a programme we call ‘Wholescape’.
To halt and reverse the loss of nature, it’s not enough to concentrate on isolated concerns – we need to look at the whole picture and tackle environmental issues on a larger scale. This is why Wholescape encompasses not just land, but also rivers, lakes, coasts and seas – and the communities who live and work there. It explores the ways in which we can tackle the Triple Challenge in a real-world context, whilst recognising that action to address each issue depends inherently on action to address the others.
Wholescape catalyses collective action: convening businesses, finance organisations, public sector agencies, charities, and communities. It supports and complements existing initiatives, enabling them to work together to deliver maximise outcomes for nature, climate and people.
For example:
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© Jospeh Gray / WWF-UKMore Pembrokeshire, Wales
In Pembrokeshire, Wales, we’re promoting regenerative ocean farming and improving land management as we aim to reduce pollution, restore coastal habitats, and support local economies. With help from local communities, we’re planting seagrass in Wales and testing new ways to grow even more. Just one hectare of seagrass can support around 80,000 fish and 100 million invertebrates, including both the UK’s native seahorse species. It’s also great for the planet—seagrass stores carbon 35 times faster than tropical rainforests.
Seeds of Hope is a project in partnership with Swansea University and Project Seagrass to bring back 10 hectares of seagrass meadows along the UK coast by 2030. These efforts not only protect iconic species, like puffins and seahorses, but also enhance carbon storage and improve water quality, ensuring our marine ecosystems can thrive for generations to come.
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© Jonathan Lewis-Phillips / WWF-UKMore North Norfolk
In North Norfolk, we’re collaborating with farmers to make space for nature, reduce river pollution, and improve flood defences. In 2021, in partnership with the Norfolk Rivers Trust, we released two Eurasian beavers in the River Glaven. By felling trees, building dams, creating ponds and pools, Winnie, Eeyore and their kits have held water at every possible location, creating around 5 hectares of complex, high-quality wetland.
With the support of local landowners, we are now aiming to expand on this success with the goal of returning more beavers to Norfolk — allowing nature to heal itself in this picturesque corner of the UK.
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© Maverick Photo AgencyMore Firth of Forth
In Scotland, we’re working on a major marine restoration programme.
Restoration Forth sees us working with communities to restore seagrass habitats and European flat oyster populations in the Firth of Forth. By 2026, we aim to trial seagrass restoration across 4 hectares and return 30,000 oysters to the region.
European flat oysters also play a crucial role in restoring our seas. They stabilise the seabed, store carbon, and boost biodiversity. But their significance isn’t just environmental - they hold a rich local history. Oysters were once thriving in the Firth of Forth. Vast oyster beds provided food and livelihoods. But overfishing and industrial development led to their extinction in the area. By restoring these species, we aim to bring life back to our waters - for nature, climate, and future generations.
We also aim to influence government policy, to boost restoration efforts across Scotland and scale-up our efforts.
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The power of working together
With your support, we can deliver more projects like these, with our partners in England, Wales, and Scotland, focusing on:
- Nature restoration: Working with local communities, we'll continue to restore the UK’s precious nature on land and at sea, for example through planting trees, restoring blanket bogs, and regenerative ocean farming.
- Restoring biodiversity: We're restoring the home of vital species like the puffin, red squirrel, bees, and butterflies that call the UK home. In addition, species that play a critical role in freshwater ecosystems, such as the burbot, will be re-introduced.
- Communities and livelihoods: We'll ensure diverse and representative communities are engaged in, and benefit from, nature recovery and a just transition to a future where everyone can have a stake in the environment.
- Science and Evidence: We'll collect rigorous qualitative and quantitative data to underpin and inform our future work.
The 2030 Circle can help secure a brighter future for UK nature by restoring vital ecosystems during this critical ‘make or break’ decade. With your support, we can demonstrate scalable solutions that tackle the Triple Challenge. Together, we can protect and enjoy the beauty of our home shores for generations to come.
Thank you
To become a 2030 Circle member or to find out more, please get in touch. Contact Luisa Berry, Senior Philanthropy Manager - 2030 Circle, by email: 2030circle@wwf.org.uk or phone 01483 412492.
There’s still time to make this the decade that we changed course - for climate, for nature, and for future generations. We look forward to hearing from you and finding out how, together, we can secure the future of the natural world.