England

Information

The England Biodiversity Group (EBG) advises the Government on the implementation of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) for England. The EBG is part of the UK Government’s response to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) signed in 1992. The EBG is chaired by DEFRA and involves stakeholders from public and private sectors totalling more than 1,500 organizations. For a complete list click here.

The EBG takes a five pronged approach to biodiversity conservation:

1. Develop and lead delivery of the Biodiversity Strategy for England as part of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan;
2. Identify resource requirements and funding for the England Biodiversity Strategy;
3. Be the focal point for biodiversity partnership in England;
4. Provide a conduit for the transmission of information to and from the national, regional and local levels;
5. Promote public understanding and awareness of biodiversity.

In October 2002, the England Biodiversity Group working with the Grain of Nature released The England Biodiversity Strategy, which establishes a five-year work programme for implementing the UKBAP in England. The Strategy is divided into a number of different sectors. The implementation of the business sector rests with the England Biodiversity Business Strategy Implementation Group. The Business and Biodiversity Strategy sets out three specific indicators against which progress is measured. The first is the condition of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s), the second is company participation in the Business in the Environment (BiE) Index of Corporate Environmental Engagement, and the thrid is company contribution to Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs)

In addition to business, there are five specific proposals for sectors to conserve biodiversity and enhance the environment:

Agriculture

Water and wetlands

Woodland and forestry

Towns, cities and development

The coasts and the seas

In order to accomplish the goals of the strategy Local Biodiversity Partnerships (LBPs) implement a wide range of Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs) throughout England. These address specific local issues areas, compiled in accordance with the targets set out in the UK Species and Habitat Action Plans. To find your Local Biodiversity Action Plans use this map. Each LBP works with partners to determine local priority areas. Earthwatch recently published a set of guidelines designed for LBPs, click here to read them.

Publications

In line with its obligation to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs EBG will publish a full report in 2006 detailing all of its activities. In the meantime, EBG published a set of biodiversity indicators called Measuring the Progress of the Biodiversity Strategy for England: Baseline Assessment in December 2003, as well as an Annual Stock Take on EBG’s progress with each of the sectors addressed in the strategy. EBG also published a set of six case studies on local biodiversity partnerships in Cardiff, Herefordshire, Nottinghamshire, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Kent.

Resources

Countdown 2010 Initiative

BARS and Local BAP Targets

Biodiversity Targets in England
North East, Yorkshire, Northwest, West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, London, South West, South East

England Biodiversity Strategy

Summary of the England Biodiversity Strategy Objectives

Photo Credit: Claudia Eckhardt/Earthwatch Institute (Europe)