The next government must meet a legal goal to halt wildlife decline in England, parties have been warned as they face calls to boost nature-friendly farming and protected areas.

Conservationists are urging political parties to deliver on “overdue” policies such as banning sales of horticultural peat and allowing the reintroduction of beavers into the wild, promised but not delivered by the previous government.

And parties are being warned the next government will need to get on track to meet international commitments to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030 as well as targets for tree planting and peatland restoration to tackle the climate crisis.

It comes as polling shows the majority of people believe the main parties are falling short on addressing the wildlife and climate crises, cleaning up river pollution, backing sustainable food production through nature-friendly farming and ensuring people have access to nature locally.

A poll of 2,221 people by Savanta for the Wildlife Trusts found nearly two fifths (39%) would vote based on parties’ green policies, 79% thought nature was important for wellbeing and prosperity, and 59% thought environmental issues were as important as others facing the country.

The Environment Act 2021 has a legal target to halt the decline in wildlife in England by 2030, piling pressure on the next government to reverse the situation which has left the UK one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth.

Wildlife and conservation groups are echoing calls from farmers to significantly boost the budget for agricultural subsidies, which post-Brexit are focused on paying for “public goods”, such as healthy soils, hedgerows and habitat creation.

Parties are also under pressure to set out how to meet the UK’s international commitment to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030, and face an uphill struggle as just 3% of land and 8% of the seas are effectively protected.

Most designations, such as national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONBs) are not focused on nature.

Wildlife and Countryside Link (WCL) coalition of nature, environment and countryside groups warns that while restoring nature will replenish the economy and rebuild public health, it cannot be done on the cheap.

Richard Benwell, WCL chief executive, said the huge task of halting wildlife decline in England “isn’t just a legal and moral necessity, it’s a terrific opportunity for national renewal”.

“But restoring nature won’t be achieved on the cheap, with token gestures,” he said.

“It means more investment in biodiversity and wildlife-friendly farming, bigger and stronger protected sites for wildlife, new rules to make polluters pay to restore nature as well as the climate, and environmental rights for everyone.”

Beccy Speight, chief executive of the RSPB, said: “The next UK government will need ambitious plans that will halt decline and allow our natural world to flourish.

“Plans should recognise the vital role of farmers by providing long-term, meaningful support and doubling the budget for nature and climate-friendly farming.

“They should also restore the health of our protected areas to secure the future of some of our rarest and most iconic habitats and species.”

And the Wildlife Trusts chief executive Craig Bennett warned the country could not afford to waste any more time “lingering in a quagmire of unfulfilled environmental promises”.

“There are several areas where speedy progress could be made, such as banning sales of horticultural peat and reintroducing beavers to the wild.

“These overdue policies would not only deliver meaningful change – they are overwhelmingly supported by the public.

“Beavers can be a catalyst for tackling so many environmental issues, such as enabling landscapes to store water in times of drought and reducing flood risk after heavy rainfall,” he added.

The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) think tank has warned efforts to create woodland and restore peatland to tackle climate change – and which can also be beneficial to wildlife – are also well off track.

And it warned that restoring productive lowland peat and curb methane emissions from agriculture would be particularly challenging.

Tom Lancaster from ECIU said: “The next parliament will be crucial for reducing emissions from farming and land use and getting the sector moving on the road to net zero”.

A peatland restoration target of 35,000 hectares in England during the last parliament is likely to be missed by around 15,000 hectares, ECIU said.

And just 3,130 hectares of new woodland were created in England in 2022/23 against the government’s target of 7,500 hectares a year by 2025.

Across the UK some 12,960 hectares was  planted in 2022/23, compared to the Climate Change Committees recommendation for 30,000 hectares by 2025, ECIU said.

The Woodland Trust’s James Cooper said: “Whoever forms the next government will need to respond to unprecedented pressures on climate and nature.

“Trees are an important part of the response, but the real benefits will come only if we get the right trees in the right place.”

He called for political parties to set long-term plans to increase tree cover,  for example in communities in towns and cities which are missing out on the benefits of urban trees, and protect ancient woodlands and rare temperate rainforests.