CBD implementation: England

Note: this page refers to activities specific to the implementation of the CBD in England. A separate page provides information on activities relevant to the implementation of the CBD across the UK, including those of relevance to England. 

Relevant Government Bodies

As there is no devolved government for England, responsibility for biodiversity conservation in England remains with the UK Government. Within the UK Government, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is the lead government department for the implementation of the CBD in England.

The following UK Government Arms-Length Public Bodies contribute to the implementation of the CBD in England:

• Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (limited role in advising on invasive non-native species). 
• Animal and Plant Health Agency (advises on invasive non-native species policy and management). Note: remit extends to England, Scotland & Wales in regards to the development of The Great Britain Invasive Non-Native Species Strategy.
• Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (marine conservation advice and research). Note: remit can also extend to England, Northern Ireland, Wales & Scotland.
• Environment Agency (regulator of environmental pollutants and management of freshwater environment).
• Forestry Commission England (forestry regulator with wider responsibilities to promote sustainable forestry).
• Forestry England (management of the public forest estate).
• Marine Management Organisation (regulation of human activities in the marine environment).
• National Park Authorities, one for each of England’s 10 national parks (national park management).
• Natural England (biodiversity conservation regulator with wider responsibilities to promote, care for and improve England’s biodiversity and landscapes).
• Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (advice, research and in-situ conservation of plants). 

Relevant Government Policies

In 2011, Defra published ‘Biodiversity 2020: A strategy for England’s wildlife and ecosystem services’. It set the strategy for how England would achieve its commitments under the Aichi Targets and therefore represents England’s national biodiversity strategy.

In 2018, Defra published ‘A Green Future: Our 25 Year Plan to Protect the Environment’. This plan sets out the UK Government’s long-term approach to protecting and enhancing the environment in England for the next generation. It covers many aspects of environmental management, including biodiversity conservation. This plan does not supersede Biodiversity 2020. Rather, it sets a wider strategic policy context within which Biodiversity 2020 will continue to be implemented and a post-2020 strategy for biodiversity conservation will be developed. It also outlines a limited number of specific biodiversity conservation actions to happen by 2020 which compliment Biodiversity 2020. 

In addition to Biodiversity 2020, Defra has also published a number of more specific strategies which also contribute to the implementation of the CBD in England. This includes:

• Safeguarding our soils: A strategy for England (2011)
• National pollinator strategy: for bees and other pollinators in England (2014)
• National Parks: 8-point plan for England (2016 to 2020) (2016)
• England Peat Action Plan (2021)
• England Trees Action Plan 2021 to 2024 (2021)

Reporting

• In 2019, Defra published an evaluation of the outcomes and actions under Biodiversity 2020. 
• Defra produce a set of indicators annually to further measure progress towards achieving Biodiversity 2020.