Protected sites for wildlife, including SSSIs, SACs and SPAs, have the potential to drive the recovery of nature that is so urgently needed. They can also make important contributions to climate mitigation and adaptation, and provide many other benefits to people and the economy.
The protected site network is not meeting its full potential as a means of protecting nature. David Hampson and Emma Hawthorne examine a recent report from the Office of Environmental Protection which outlined the failings of environmental laws and their implementation.