European sites

Natura 2000

Natura 2000 is the European Union-wide network of protected areas established under the EU Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora).  It includes Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) designated under the Habitats Directive and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) classified under the Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council).

In the UK, most terrestrial Natura 2000 sites are also protected under Special Sites of Scientific Interests legislation.

In the UK, Natura 2000 sites are proposed for selection by the statutory nature conservation agencies in consultation with relevant owners and occupiers.  UK coordination is facilitated through the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), the public body that advises the UK Government and devolved administrations on UK-wide and international nature conservation.  Following public consultation, sites are formally submitted to government for approval by Ministers.

International sites

Ramsar sites – Wetlands designated for their International Importance

Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance, designated under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (The Ramsar Convention), and   primarily provide habitat for waterbirds.  The Ramsar Convention, which came into force in 1975, is an intergovernmental treaty that aims to stop the loss of wetlands.

The UK has designated 170 Ramsar sites covering 927,748 hectares, including 24 within the UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.  The latest Ramsar sites to be designated by the UK were Gough Island and Inaccessible Island in the UK Overseas Territory of Tristan da Cunha in November 2008.

The government’s policy is to afford Ramsar sites the same level of protection as that provided for Natura 2000 sites.  In the UK, many Ramsar sites are also SPAs and most have statutory underpinning as SSSIs.  Additional information about how these sites are protected is contained within the Government’s planning policy statement and accompanying Circular.

• The Ramsar Convention

The Natural England website has more information about Ramsar sites, how they are designated and how they may affect you.

UK Natura 2000 & Ramsar Forum and Steering Committees

Terms of reference for the groups

• UK Natura 2000 and Ramsar Forum (PDF 35 KB)
• UK Natura 2000 and Ramsar Steering Committee (PDF 70 KB)

Minutes and papers

• UK Natura 2000 and Ramsar Forum minutes – 10 November 2009 (PDF 175 KB)
  • Governance arrangements discussion paper (PDF 470 KB)
  • Annex A Scotland site update (PDF 25 KB)
  • Annex B Marine update (PDF 70 KB)
  • Draft UK Ramsar CEPA plan (PDF 115 KB)
• UK Natura 2000 and Ramsar Steering Committee minutes – 8 December 2009 (PDF 180 KB)

UNESCO Biosphere Reserves

Biosphere reserves are recognised internationally under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme.

The UKMAB website has more about Biosphere Reserves and the MAB programme.