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<p>The Government is already carrying out a programme of large-scale habitat creation
and restoration to implement nature-based solutions. Taking actions for nature, including
protecting our land and species, is also a core part of our third National Adaptation
Programme.</p><p> </p><p>Through the Environment Act 2021, we have committed to the
legally binding targets of creating or restoring more than 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich
habitat outside of protected sites by 2042 and increasing the tree canopy and woodland
cover of England to 16.5% by 2050. We have also made a number of further commitments
in the Environmental Improvement Plan, including restoring approximately 280,000 hectares
of peatland in England by 2050 and encouraging and supporting increased agroforestry
with an aim to increase silvo-arable agroforestry to 10% of all arable land by 2050.</p><p>
</p><p>We are providing significant funding in this area. Our transformational, £675m,
Nature for Climate Fund has supported tree planting to reach the decade’s highest
levels, with more than 15 million trees planted in England during this Parliament.
In February we awarded £25 million funding to 40 schemes around England for improving
flood resilience through a new natural flood management programme.</p><p> </p><p>The
Government has guaranteed an average annual budget of £2.4 billion for the farming
sector for the life of this Parliament. Our reforms require specific actions to be
taken that enhance the environment and protect food production. This includes paying
farmers to restore valuable habitats such as lowland peat and to engage in sustainable
agroforestry and wetland management, which will support adaptation to climate change.</p>
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