Church of England Rejects 2030 Rewilding Target

The Church of England voted against a proposal to rewild 30% of its land by the year 2030. This decision has led to criticism from environmental campaigners who accuse the church of failing to demonstrate moral leadership. As one of the largest landowners in England, the Church of England manages approximately 425,000 hectares (1,050,000 acres) of land. Currently, only 3.5% of this land is dedicated to nature restoration efforts. The proposed target aimed to significantly increase this percentage within the next six years. Campaigners argue that the church, holding such substantial land assets, has a unique responsibility and opportunity to contribute to biodiversity goals and climate change mitigation. The rejection of the rewilding plan highlights a divergence between the church's land management practices and the urgent calls for environmental action from conservation groups. The outcome of the vote is seen by critics as a missed opportunity for a major institution to set a precedent for ecological stewardship among other large landowners in the country. The debate around the proposal underscores the ongoing tension between institutional land ownership and the increasing demand for environmental conservation and restoration initiatives.