APPG meets to consider the Environmental Improvement Plan and whether it delivers for the Ocean

Following the recent publication of the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP), the APPG for the Ocean met yesterday to consider whether the plan delivers for the ocean. We were pleased to hear from Aisling McGarrigle from Blue Marine Foundation, Jacques Villemot from Rewilding Britain, and Dr Oliver Ashford from the World Resources Institute, who shared expert perspectives on the implications of the EIP for marine policy with our members.

While the EIP sets out an ambitious overall vision, the APPG heard significant concerns that it does not yet go far enough to deliver effective marine protection and lacks sufficient detail to enable meaningful accountability. Key issues raised included:

🌊 The removal of a clear date to achieve Good Environmental Status for a healthy ocean, despite previous targets of 2020 and subsequently 2024

🪸 Limited focus on marine environments and habitat restoration

🦀 Lack of practical delivery mechanisms and funding to provide confidence in implementation

The APPG’s report, What Can Sustainable Ocean Policy Deliver for the UK?, recommended the development of a dedicated UK and International Ocean Strategy to provide a clear, long-term framework for ocean protection. In light of the EIP’s publication, the need for a complementary UK and International Ocean Strategy — grounded in science, collaboration, and long-term investment — is increasingly clear if marine policy is to be addressed in full.

Thank you to our speakers and APPG members for an insightful and constructive discussion.