England’s Habitats Regulations Report: Just 3% of Protected Habitats in Favourable Condition

The UK Government has published a major new assessment of nature conservation in England — and the findings are deeply concerning.

The Habitats Regulations 9A Report for England (2019–2024), released on 22 January 2026, provides the first England-level evaluation of conservation measures for habitats and species protected under the Habitats Directive and Wild Birds Directive.

The six-yearly report, required under Regulation 9A of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended), assesses the conservation status of protected habitats, wildlife species and wild birds across England.

What Is the Habitats Regulations 9A Report?

The report evaluates:

• Conservation measures implemented between 2019 and 2024
• Pressures affecting protected habitats and species
• The impact of those pressures
• Monitoring and enforcement activity

The underlying assessment data will be published by Natural England on its Access to Evidence platform by the end of February 2026.

Conservation Status of England’s Protected Habitats and Species

The report assesses:

• 71 habitat types listed under the Habitats Directive
• 74 non-bird species protected under the Habitats Directive
• 221 bird species relevant to England under the Wild Birds Directive

Only 3% of Habitats in Favourable Conservation Status

The most alarming finding is that just 3% of England’s protected habitat types are in Favourable Conservation Status (FCS) — meaning they are thriving across their natural range and likely to remain so.

Nearly half (48%) of habitats are classified as unfavourable and deteriorating.

Non-Bird Species: Limited Signs of Recovery

Among protected non-bird species, only 30% are in favourable conservation status.

England’s Birds: Red Lists and Declining Populations

Although the report did not directly assess birds against FCS criteria, the outlook is troubling:

• 117 of 221 bird species (53%) are Red-listed under Birds of Conservation Concern or classed as threatened on the GB IUCN Red List.
• This indicates that at least half of England’s bird species are not in favourable condition.

Long-Term Bird Population Trends

• 44% declining
• 48% stable or increasing
• Remainder unknown

Short-Term Trends

• 30% declining
• 51% stable or increasing
• Remainder unknown

Main Threats to England’s Wildlife and Habitats

Intensive Agriculture and Water Pollution

Agriculture-related activities are identified as the primary pressure on habitats and non-bird species, and the second most significant threat to birds.

Key drivers include:

• Intensive grazing
• Nutrient pollution and agricultural runoff
• Water pollution from farming

Despite this, the recent Water White Paper included no meaningful measures to tackle pollution from intensive agriculture.

Climate Change: A Growing and Universal Threat

Climate change is now:

• The biggest current and future pressure on bird species
• The second biggest pressure on non-bird species
• The most frequently cited pressure affecting 100% of marine and coastal habitats

International data confirms that:

• 2025 was the third hottest year on record
• Global temperatures have exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels over the last three years

At the same time, major political parties have threatened to repeal the Climate Change Act, raising serious concerns about the UK’s commitment to climate action.

Disease and Avian Influenza

Emerging disease is an increasing pressure on bird populations, particularly:

• Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)
• Trichomonosis

Conservation Measures: Are They Working?

Most reported conservation measures focus on addressing agricultural pressures, largely delivered through agri-environment schemes.

For bird species, development pressure is a major issue, with mitigation relying on:

• The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
• Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)
• Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA)

However, the report raises serious questions about whether current measures are sufficient to halt biodiversity loss.

Wider UK Context

Alongside the England report:

• The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) has published the UK Offshore Implementation Report under offshore habitats legislation.
• A UK Composite Report, evaluating overall progress and the effectiveness of the national site network, is expected by 2028.

A Wake-Up Call for Nature and National Security

These findings represent a stark warning for policymakers in England.

With biodiversity increasingly recognised as a matter of national security, the fact that:

• Only 3% of protected habitats are in favourable condition
• Nearly half are deteriorating
• Over half of bird species are threatened

should trigger urgent political action.

Without stronger measures to tackle agricultural pollution, climate change, habitat destruction and development pressures, England’s legally protected wildlife will continue to decline.

Nature cannot wait another six years.

At Natural World Fund, we believe these findings underline the need for urgent, joined-up action to restore nature in England. Reversing the decline of our protected habitats and species will require tackling agricultural pollution, strengthening planning protections, and accelerating meaningful climate action. Nature recovery cannot be achieved through piecemeal policies or short-term fixes — it demands long-term commitment, science-led decisions, and the political will to protect and restore the ecosystems on which both wildlife and people depend.