Biodiversity in the UK

Responsibilities for environmental legislation and implementation at a country level have been devolved to the Scottish, Welsh and Irish administrations. Consequently, there are four Country Biodiversity Groups who identify environmental and biodiversity conservation direction, and relevant policy instruments, at the country level.

Defra set out the vision and approach to conserving biodiversity within the UK's devolved framework in 2007.

• Conserving Biodiversity - The UK Approach 

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.

Country biodiversity strategies

• Scotland's Biodiversity: it's in your hands   
• Biodiversity 2020: A strategy for England's wildlife and ecosystem services  .
• The Natural Environment Framework 'A Living Wales' 
• Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy  .