Freshwater is in a critical state.

Globally, freshwater species are declining more rapidly than any other. Worryingly, parts of England are projected to run out of water in the next 20 years. More than ever before, the natural world needs our protection.

• Only 16% of English rivers meet a good ecological status and all fail chemically
• In the UK, 13% of our freshwater species are threatened with extinction
• 90% of our wetland habitats have been lost in the last 100 years
• The UK’s total water supply is forecast to drop by 7% due to climate change and the current abstraction limits
• The government failed to meet an initial legal target for 75% of rivers to be in ‘good’ health by 2015, and recently missed the second 2021 deadline