Tracking UK biodiversity progress
Barry Gardiner, Biodiversity Minister, today launched Biodiversity indicators in your pocket 2007.The 18 indicators track the UK’s progress against international biodiversity targets. This is the first time that a comprehensive set of biodiversity indicators has been published for the UK.
Mr Gardiner said “many people still talk about climate change as if it is only a long-term threat. But the fact is that it is already happening, and we need to deal with the realities of climate change and the problems it is creating for society and the environment today.
“But biodiversity is also one of our greatest weapons in the battle against climate change. So it is critical that any action plan to reduce climate change, includes the effective and sustainable management of our ecosystems” .
The indicators are grouped under the six focal areas identified by the Convention on Biological Diversity and the European Council. They show the UK’s progress towards two international biodiversity targets:
- Biodiversity decline should be halted, with the aim of reaching this objective by 2010.
- To achieve, by 2010, a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on earth.
The pocket-sized booklet makes the indicators easily accessible to a wide audience and enables everyone to judge where progress is being made and where the challenges lie.
Further information
- Biodiversity indicators in your pocket 2007, available on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee website
- Convention on Biological Diversity
- European Council
Page last modified:
12 June 2007
Page published: 12 June 2007