UK Context
Concern over the world-wide loss of animal and plant species and
genetic resources is not new. In the UK, initiatives to protect
and enhance our biological heritage - 'nature conservation' - have
been going on in earnest since the Second World War, with the designation
of a system of protected sites and areas such as SSSIs (Sites of
Special Scientific Interest) and National Parks. Comprehensive information
about protected sites across England is available from the English
Nature website, Nature
on the Map. The web site provides instant and easy access to
up-to-date maps.
Managing biodiversity is essentially conservation in a new and more
targeted guise. It has become a hot topic since 1992, when the UK
Prime Minister and 179 other Heads of State or Governments signed
the Convention on Biological Diversity at the Earth Summit in Rio
de Janeiro.
The UK Biodiversity Action Plan
The Convention on Biological Diversity was one of several major
initiatives stemming from the Summit, which together form an International
Agreement on sustainable development. Signatories recognised that
action must be taken to halt the global loss of animal and plant
species, and genetic resources, and that each country has the primary
responsibility to conserve and enhance biodiversity within its own
jurisdiction. Under Article 6, signatories agreed to develop national
strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biological
diversity, and to integrate biodiversity considerations into all
activities. The UK Government's first step towards this is the United
Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP), published in 1994. As
a result of this, the UK now has a strategy for conserving and enhancing
biological diversity within the UK, including costed action plans
for our most threatened and declining species and habitats.
UK Biodiversity Partnership
The
UK Biodiversity Partnership was formed in August 2002, replacing
the UK Biodiversity Group, in response to recommendations to the
Government from the UK Biodiversity Group. It established a new
partnership with the aim to deliver Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs)
at the UK level. Membership to the UK Biodiversity Partnership is
open to any organisation which has an interest in the biodiversity
action planning process and in developing policy on biodiversity.
The partnership held its first full conference in May 2003 and the
next annual meeting is scheduled for June 2004. Its work is guided
and supported by the UK Biodiversity Partnership Standing Committee
which facilitates the exchange of information among the Country
Biodiversity Groups.
UK Biodiversity Strategies
Devolution in the UK means that the different countries within
the UK have acquired responsibility for taking the UKBAP forward.
The
England Biodiversity Strategy (EBS) is the principle means through
which the government in England will integrate biodiversity into
policies and programmes. The Strategy contains a section specifically
aimed at encouraging businesses to contribute positively to the
UKBAP. The
Scottish Biodiversity Forum is in the process of preparing a
draft Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and is consulting with different
sectors of society, including businesses.
The following pages provide more information about business and
biodiversity in the UK
England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
UK Biodiversity Plans
UK Local Biodiversity Plans
Photo Credit: David Harper, lillies
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