Targets and outcomes framework
What is the Environmental Improvement Plan and the Protected Landscapes Targets and Outcomes Framework?
The UK Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) 2023 sets out the role Protected Landscapes (National Parks and National Landscapes) can play in helping nature recover and meeting the EIP apex goals of:
- Thriving plants and wildlife
- Mitigating and adapting to climate change
- Enhancing beauty, heritage and engagement with the natural environment.
It also set out the need for an outcomes framework for Protected Landscapes which would set targets for the contributions National Parks and National Landscapes can make to national environment commitments.
In 2024 the Protected Landscapes Targets and Outcomes Framework – GOV.UK was published. The targets are for the Protected Landscapes as places (the geographic area covered by the designation, rather than an individual body or organisation) and action will be coordinated through the statutory Management/Partnership Plan.
It is the responsibility of all stakeholders, partners and land managers in the area to support their delivery. The targets and indicators are expected to be the priorities for Protected Landscapes over the coming years and decades, enabling partners across the New Forest National Park to come together and drive activity towards these outcomes.
How did we agree our targets?
While many of the national targets and measures are standardised across all Protected Landscapes, each Protected Landscape has had the opportunity to set the ambition for three of the targets:
- Protect and restore wildlife-rich habitats outside of Protected Sites (e.g. SSSIs) by 2042
- Restore peat by 2050
- Tree and woodland cover by 2050.
Natural England proposed an initial ambition for each of these, based on a methodology used across all the Protected Landscapes consistently.
We wanted to be sure the specific context of the New Forest National Park was reflected in the ambition and ensure we set stretching targets but still with a sensible level of achievability and realism.
By drawing on various evidence from our own sources and from others, we have amended the original proposed ambition.
We then shared these proposals and the reasoning with our stakeholders, the Partnership Plan Officers Group and the Partnership Plan Leaders Panel, which both agreed the proposals.
In June 2025 we submitted the proposals to the New Forest National Park Authority Resources, Audit and Performance Committee where they were formally agreed.
What are our targets?
Thriving plants and wildlife
| Indicator | New Forest National Park (NFNP) 2022 baseline | PLTOF NFNP Target | Target date |
|---|---|---|---|
Extent of wildlife rich habitat created or restored within Protected Landscapes, outside of protected sites |
N/A |
4,000 hectares |
2042 |
Percentage of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) within Protected Landscapes in favourable condition |
24.2% |
80% |
2042 |
Percentage of SSSIs within Protected Landscapes assessed as having ‘actions on track’ to achieve favourable condition |
10.6% |
60% |
2028 |
Mitigating and adapting to climate change
| Indicator | New Forest National Park (NFNP) 2022 baseline | PLTOF NFNP Target | Target date |
|---|---|---|---|
Net greenhouse gas emissions within Protected Landscapes (territorial emissions reported through DESNZ) |
225,733 TCO2e/yr |
0 TCO2e/yr |
2050 |
Extent of peat under restoration in Protected Landscapes |
N/A |
20 hectares |
2050 |
Extent of tree canopy and woodland cover in Protected Landscapes |
36% |
550 hectares (~1% increase) |
2050 |
Enhancing beauty, heritage and engagement with the natural environment
| Indicator | New Forest National Park (NFNP) 2022 baseline | PLTOF NFNP Target | Target date |
|---|---|---|---|
Metres of accessible path as a percentage of total path |
TBC |
Increase |
2042 |
Number of accessible toilets and rest stops |
TBC |
Increase |
2042 |
Number of disability accessible parking spaces |
TBC |
Increase |
2042 |
Number of accessible gates and gaps |
TBC |
Increase |
2042 |
Number of visits and volunteer days facilitated by new equipment |
TBC |
Increase |
2042 |
Number of schools engaged (primary and secondary) both inside and outside the Protected Landscape boundary |
TBC |
Increase |
2042 |
Number of volunteer days |
TBC |
Increase |
2042 |
Number of accessible or easy access routes for which wayfinding has been created or improved |
TBC |
Increase |
2042 |
Policies in place to ensure Protected Landscapes are taking positive action to widen the diversity of their staff, boards and volunteers |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC |
Scheduled monuments ‘At Risk’ |
4 |
<4 |
2042 |
Registered parks and gardens ‘At Risk’ |
0 | 0 | 2042 |
Registered battlefields ‘At Risk’ |
0 | 0 | 2042 |
Listed buildings (grade I or II*) ‘At Risk’ |
1 |
0 | 2042 |
Protected wreck sites ‘At Risk’ |
0 | 0 | 2042 |
How will we monitor and evaluate our progress?
The indicators will largely be monitored by bodies such as Natural England and Historic England but we will be working with partners across the New Forest to develop our own ways of knowing where we are making progress and where more support is needed to drive specific outcomes.
Our work to deliver on these targets is already underway within our 2022-2027 Re:New Forest Partnership Plan.
See how our work and that of our partners is delivering on the Environmental Improvement Plan and on the wider UK Government five Key Missions of:
- Growing the economy
- An NHS fit for the future
- Safer streets
- Opportunity for all
- Making Britain a clean energy superpower.