UK Insect Decline Recognized as a National Crisis; Calls for Urgent Action at Wild Summit

By Ange de la Victoire DUSABEMUNGU

Bristol, September 12, 2025 — In a powerful response to alarming scientific evidence and mounting ecological concerns, leading UK conservation charities, supported by numerous organizations and community groups, issued a unified Declaration to halt the decline of insects across the country during the recent Wild Summit event in Bristol. The declaration underscores the urgent need for a coordinated national strategy to protect and restore the UK’s vital insect populations, which play a crucial role in sustaining ecosystems and supporting human life.

The declaration, jointly proposed by Buglife, Butterfly Conservation, and the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, has garnered support from over 50 signatories, including nonprofits, scientific institutions, and community representatives. It calls on the government, land managers, businesses, and the public to undertake immediate actions such as habitat restoration, stricter pesticide regulation, stronger legal protections, and increased investment in research and public engagement.

“Reversing insect decline is essential, not optional,” the declaration declares, emphasizing that “for halting nature loss and achieving the UK’s climate and biodiversity goals, decisive and collective action is imperative.”

Insects at the Heart of Ecosystem Stability

Insects are fundamental to a healthy environment—they pollinate crops and wild plants, recycle nutrients, and control pests while supporting food webs for birds, bats, and fish. Yet, recent scientific surveys reveal a dire situation:

• Butterfly populations have declined significantly despite record-breaking warm weather. The Big Butterfly Count this year showed butterfly numbers remaining only average, with long-term trends indicating more widespread species are decreasing.
• Insects flying past UK vehicle number plates have fallen by 63% since 2021, according to the Bugs Matter survey conducted by Buglife and Kent Wildlife Trust.
• The Bumblebee Conservation Trust reports that 2024 was the worst year for bumblebees since monitoring began, with numbers dropping nearly a quarter (22.5%) compared to the 2010-2023 average.

These declines stem from a combination of habitat destruction, pesticide overuse, intensive farming, pollution, climate change, and invasive species, all of which threaten many insect species with extinction and weaken the resilience of ecosystems critical to human survival.

A Call for Bold, Immediate Actions

The Wild Summit’s Bristol Declaration advocates for:

• Restoration and connectivity of insect-rich habitats across farmlands, urban areas, and protected sites.
• Legally binding reductions in pesticide and chemical use.
• Stronger legal protections for key insect species and habitats.
• Enhanced funding for ecological monitoring, scientific studies, and public outreach.

Julie Williams, CEO of Butterfly Conservation, stressed the importance of immediate action: “We know what needs to be done, and we have the evidence to prove it works. Now, it’s about working across sectors to make those changes happen so our insects—and ultimately, our ecosystems—can thrive again.”

Similarly, Gill Perkins from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust warned, “Our insect populations are in trouble, and with them, so are we. But there is hope—actions like planting bee-friendly flowers and phasing out pesticides can make a real difference. The time for talk is over; now is the time for action.”

Towards a National Insect Recovery Strategy

The declaration challenges the UK to become a global leader in insect conservation. It calls for a comprehensive, science-based response involving government, industry, and society at large, emphasizing accountability and shared responsibility.

During the summit, a side event launched the Big Insect Rescue Plan, engaging audiences in tangible steps to contribute to insect recovery efforts. The Plan aims to mobilize citizens, organizations, and policymakers in a joint effort to restore insect populations and secure the health of the entire ecosystem.

As Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link, concluded, “When insects disappear, nature is sending us a warning. It’s a clear signal that we must act now—before it’s too late—to safeguard our wildlife and our future prosperity.”

The Bristol Declaration marks a pivotal step toward reversing one of the most pressing ecological crises in the UK, emphasizing that insect conservation is a shared duty with profound implications for all facets of life on Earth.