As part of its new campaign, 30 by 30, the government has vouched to protect over 400,000 hectares to support the recovery of nature.

This adds to the existing 26% of land in England comprising of national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty, and other protected areas.

The government will work with the devolved administrations to agree an approach across the UK, and with landowners and civil society to explore how best to increase the size and value of our protected land.

This comes as the PM is set to sign the Leaders Pledge for Nature at a virtual United Nations event today, committing to put nature and biodiversity on a road to recovery by 2030.

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Johnson said: “We cannot afford dither and delay because biodiversity loss is happening today, and it is happening at a frightening rate. 

“Left unchecked, the consequences will be catastrophic for us all.

“Extinction is forever — so our action must be immediate.”

The Leaders Pledge for Nature commits world leaders to take 10 urgent actions, including on sustainable food production, ending the illegal wildlife trade, and implementing nature-based solutions for climate change.

The government has already led, since 2019, the Global Ocean Alliance, promoting a target to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030.

In addition, it has committed new investment to support environmental enhancement and protection in England through the Nature for Climate Fund and the new Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme.