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England biodiversity strategy

Working with the grain of nature: a biodiversity strategy for England (PDF 2 MB) was launched on 24 October 2002.

The Strategy seeks to ensure biodiversity considerations become embedded in all main sectors of public policy and sets out a programme for the future to make the changes necessary to conserve, enhance and work with the grain of nature and ecosystems rather than against them. The strategy is intended to be a living document, subject to regular review.

What is the England Biodiversity Strategy?

The Strategy, underpinned by a partnership of Government, Statutory Agencies, and the non-governmental sector is driven forward through 11 strategy implementation groups.  They cover, agriculture, water, woodland, marine, coastal and urban sectors as well as cross cutting issues on climate change adaptation, education and public understanding, local and regional action, economics and funding of biodiversity and engaging the business community.

The strategy implementation groups are now supported by biodiversity integration groups, which are part of a new delivery framework overseen by Natural England.

Updated key deliverables for the strategy implementation groups are now available on the Biodiversity Action Reporting System website.

Who is involved in making these changes happen?

The England Biodiversity Group, which includes the principal stakeholders from the public, voluntary and private sectors, will oversee the Strategy's implementation.

England Biodiversity Group

The England Biodiversity Group, chaired by Defra advises Government on biodiversity policy and the implementation of the UKBAP in England.

How are we monitoring our progress?

A full report on the progress under the England Biodiversity strategy 2002-2006 volume 1 (PDF 2.4 MB, large file size) and volume 2 (PDF 5.79 MB, very large file size) was published in 2007 - including biodiversity indicators, which are the measures we use to monitor progress.

Public Service Agreement 28 – Secure a Healthy Natural Environment for Today and the Future

The Government set out in October 2007 its priority outcomes for the period 2008-11 in a series of public service agreements (PSAs).  PSA 28 deals with the natural environment and makes clear that the England Biodiversity Strategy will aim to deliver the vision of biodiversity valued, safeguarded and enhanced.  Natural England, the Government’s conservation agency, is the organisation charged with delivery of this vision.  

Page last modified: 05 June 2009
Page published: 23 October 2008