The Church of England’s General Synod voted against a motion that would have committed the institution to rewilding 30% of its approximately 42,500 hectares of land by 2030. The motion, introduced by Rev Canon Val Plumb as a private member’s proposal, sought to align the church with an international commitment made by the UK and more than 100 other nations to restore 30% of land for nature by the specified deadline. Currently, the church manages only 3.5% of its land for nature restoration purposes.
Instead of endorsing the measurable target, the Synod passed an alternative amendment proposed by Right Rev Graham Usher, the lead bishop for the environment. This amendment outlines six steps the church plans to undertake, including continuing to support nature restoration projects where deemed appropriate and engaging with tenants regarding sustainable farming practices. However, it does not establish specific rewilding benchmarks or timelines.
Church officials cited legal and fiduciary concerns in opposing the original motion. William Nye, secretary general of the archbishops’ council, stated that the proposed commitment was inconsistent with the church’s obligation to ensure “long-term capital growth.” The Church Commissioners emphasized that approximately 90% of the church’s farmland portfolio consists of productive agricultural land, and that the institution’s strategy focuses on integrating nature recovery into working landscapes while supporting food production and rural business resilience.
Environmental campaigners expressed disappointment with the outcome. Claire Rogers of Wild Card, a citizens’ movement advocating for major landowners to rewild their properties, characterized the decision as a missed opportunity for moral leadership at a time when wildlife populations are declining significantly. She noted that the international 30by30 commitment represents a consensus among nearly 190 countries. Other substantial landowners, including the crown estate, have committed to managing higher percentages of their land for nature by 2030.
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