United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - Overview

Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

The results of the most recent reporting round of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Priority Species and Habitats, undertaken in 2005, were published in June 2006. The UK BAP contains plans for 391 Priority Species, 10 Priority Species-Groups and 45 Habitats.

Overall, the changes in the status of the Priority Species since the last reporting round in 2002 are positive... More »

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

The UK has established 7,191 protected areas that account for 10.9% of its total land area, 192 of which are marine protected areas. The UK also has 169 wetland sites and 9 Biosphere Reserves.

Percentage of Forest Cover

Forests in the UK cover 2,845,000 ha and other wooded land 20,000 ha.

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

Each country now contributes to delivery on biodiversity issues through the implementation of their own strategies. Implementation of these strategies will be aided in England, Wales and Scotland through legislation placing a duty on all public bodies to “have regard” in England and Wales, and to “further” in Scotland, for the conservation of biodiversity when carrying out their duties (Natural Environment & Rural Communities Act in England and Wales; Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act in Scotland)... More »

Implementation of the Convention

Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target

The UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) was published in 1994 as part of the UK response to the Convention on Biological Diversity signed at Rio in 1992. The UK BAP helps coordinate and drive conservation work at national and local levels through identifying priorities for action and setting biological targets for the recovery of species and habitats... More »

Initiatives in Protected Areas

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are nationally protected areas designated to conserve and protect the best wildlife, geological and physiographical heritage in Great Britain. The SSSI network in Great Britain and its counterpart in Northern Ireland provide a comprehensive coverage of nationally important habitats and species sites in the UK... More »

Initiatives in Access and Benefit Sharing

The UK has established a web based National Focal Point at http://www.defra.gov.uk/science/geneticresources/default.asp. This provides information on access to genetic resources in the UK and lists the main relevant contacts to obtain PIC and negotiate MATs. The UK completed in early 2005 a review of the implementation of ABS arrangements by UK stakeholders... More »

Initiatives for Article 8(j)

There are no UK communities who consider themselves indigenous, traditional or local within the definition implied under implementation of the CBD. Nevertheless, the UK is concerned that many indigenous people do not enjoy their full human rights, and is committed to helping improve this situation. The UK Department for International Development’s work in support of indigenous people includes support to the Inter-American Development Bank's Indigenous Strategy and funding of programmes in Latin America that target indigenous groups... More »

National Contacts

Full details of national contacts »

Convention on Biological Diversity

Mrs. Clare Hamilton	CBD Primary NFP, SBSTTA NFP, Protected Areas NFP
Mr. Julian Jackson	ICNP ABS NFP
Chris Cheffings	GSPC NFP
Ms. Diana Mortimer	CHM NFP
Mr. Richard Earley	Resource Mobilization FP
Dr. Christopher Lyal	GTI NFP

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Mr. Mike Rowe

Cartagena Protocol Primary NFP, BCH NFP