Four years after countries adopted a nature conservation plan, not a single target has been met, according to reporting ahead of Cop17, the UN's nature summit.
The River Wensum in Norwich illustrates the state of Britain's chalk rivers. In August, more than 3,000 pike, roach, carp and rudd died along the 45-mile waterway. Heavy rainfall flushed high concentrations of pollution into the river at a time when heatwave conditions had already depleted oxygen levels.
Britain has about 250 chalk rivers, a geological formation rare globally. These rivers emerge from chalk aquifers and support species including freshwater shrimp, otters and stoneflies. They also provide drinking water for millions of people.
Just 11 of the country's chalk rivers have formal protection. Many face damage from sewage pollution and water overextraction. The Wensum holds legal protection but remains in poor ecological health.
Negotiators now meet at Cop17 under pressure to honor commitments made at previous summits.