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<p>Defra is currently undertaking a number of measures to improve widespread access
to nature and green space. The 25 Year Environment Plan sets out our comprehensive
and long-term approach to protecting and enhancing our natural landscapes in England
for the next generation and to helping people improve their health and wellbeing by
using green spaces. There is lots of work already ongoing to deliver on this approach,
such as the National Framework of Green Infrastructure Standards for England, the
Green Recovery Challenge Fund, the Green Social Prescribing Project, the Children
and Nature Programme, the financial provisions of the Agriculture Act 2020 through
the Environmental Land Management scheme, the England Coast Path and a new northern
National Trail based on Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk.</p><p> </p><p>The Environment
Bill will give the Secretary of State the power to set long-term, legally binding
environmental targets across the breadth of the natural environment. It will specifically
require the government to set at least one target each in four priority areas: air
quality, biodiversity, water, and waste reduction and resource efficiency. The power
to set targets will not be limited to these four priority areas. Long-term targets
could be set in respect of any matter which relates to the natural environment, or
people’s enjoyment of it, to drive significant improvement of the environment.</p>
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