UK publishes National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

Yesterday, the UK published its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), outlining how all four UK nations will work collaboratively to meet international biodiversity targets by 2030. The strategy responds to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), which aims to halt and reverse global biodiversity decline.

“The publication of the UK NBSAP for 2030 sets out how the UK plans to contribute to achieving the GBF through domestic and international
action. National plans and strategies will evolve over time and the UK NBSAP for 2030 will be reviewed and updated as required.”

The plan, titled “Blueprint for Halting and Reversing Biodiversity Loss,” recognises the existential role of nature for supporting life on Earth, noting that we rely on thriving ecosystems for human prosperity and wellbeing. It acknowledges the severe crisis facing nature worldwide, with declining species, habitat loss, ecosystem failure and growing disconnection between humans and the natural world.

The strategy emphasises the need for a whole-of-government approach (which we aren’t necessarily seeing at the moment) and the need to move to a systemic approach to addressing biodiversity challenges effectively.

The document highlights the value of citizen science and volunteer initiatives along with contributions from the UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, which represent significant portions of the UK’s biodiversity. There is little reference to the role of professional ecologists, but there is acknowledgement of the importance of ongoing surveying and monitoring to ensure that we can track progress. There is reference to helping other countries build their capacity to deliver the GBF ambitions, but not within the UK itself.

Coordinated by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), the collaborative framework marks a first, if somewhat vague, step in the UK’s commitment to protect at least 30% of land and seas, reduce harmful pollution, and ensure sustainability across agriculture, forestry and other sectors by 2030.