UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy

Overview

The UK Overseas Territories (OTs) are global biodiversity hotspots. Supporting every one of Earth’s major ecosystems, from rainforests to polar tundra, the rich diversity of habitats in the OTs support a host of endemic species – including some found nowhere else on earth.   

With pressures on global biodiversity growing, we want to do more to safeguard the future of habitats and species in the OTs. In line with our commitment to halt and reverse the decline of biodiversity, we have committed to develop a new, living, UK OT biodiversity strategy. The strategy will be guided jointly by the priorities and visions of the UK Government and fourteen OTs,  and developed as a tool to guide future investment in protecting and restoring OT biodiversity.      

Earlier this year, we invited representatives from the OTs to comment on HMG’s current UK OT biodiversity strategy, which was first produced in 2009, and last revised in 2014. The discussion culminated in an agreement from all present to work together on the new strategy, to secure better outcomes for OT biodiversity. 

Working in close partnership with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), Defra is launching this call for evidence to consult as widely as possible on the development of the new strategy. Responses will be analysed together with information sought in response to questionnaires, via remote and on-island workshops and in discussions with wider stakeholders.