UK Biodiversity Action Plan
The UK BAP is the UK Government's response to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Convention called for the development and enforcement of national strategies and associated action plans to identify, conserve and protect existing biological diversity, and to enhance it wherever possible.
The UK BAP describes the biological resources of the UK and provides detailed plans for conservation of these resources, at national and devolved levels. Action plans for the most threatened species and habitats have been set out to aid recovery.
The shared vision for UK Biodiversity conservation adopted by both the devolved administrations and the UK government is set out in the framework: "Conserving Biodiversity - the UK Approach". This sets out the future priorities for UK conservation and in the devolved, more holistic view of ecosystem conservation, protection, and sustainable use of the UK's biological resources.
Following the establishment of devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, responsibility for environmental legislation and the implementation of Biodiversity Action Plans is now at the level of country. The distinctive elements of biodiversity in each of the four countries of the UK are able to be considered both independently and in collaboration with neighbouring countries. This allows for conservation approaches to be tailored to the varying conditions within different areas of the UK. There are consequently four Country Biodiversity Groups and each of these has published country strategies to guide their BAP work.
See the UK BAP website for further details.
The UK forth national report to the CBD is available here.
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