Event Details

Key Speakers

Hywel Lloyd, Consultant; Former Senior Policy Advisor to the Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)

Overview

Biodiversity is the variety of all life on our planet. This includes all species of plants and animals and the natural systems that support them. It is therefore vital not just in itself, but our very own survival depends upon it.

Recognising that a healthy, well functioning natural environment is the foundation of sustained economic growth, and that society cannot flourish without the benefits and services our natural environment provides, the government is striving to put the value of nature at the heart of decision making - in government departments, local authorities, communities and businesses.

In June 2011, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) published the Natural Environment White Paper (the first on the natural environment for over 20 years), a radical vision outlining the government's plan for the next 50 years - along with practical proposals to realise these ambitions.

Building on the Natural Environment White Paper and published shortly after - 'Biodiversity 2020: A strategy for England's wildlife and ecosystem services' has at its core the objective to stop overall biodiversity loss. It also hopes to support healthy well-functioning ecosystems and establish coherent ecological networks, leaving more and better places for nature, benefitting wildlife and people alike.

Crucially, local authorities and other public bodies have an important role to play in conserving biodiversity. This was underpinned by a 'Biodiversity Duty' which was introduced by the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act.

This special symposium provides an invaluable opportunity for local authorities, environmental organisations, developers, third sector organisations and other key stakeholders to examine the government's latest policy initiatives on halting biodiversity loss for the benefit of current and future generations.

Delegates will:

• Discuss the key elements and national framework as set out in the policy paper - 'Biodiversity 2020: A strategy for England's wildlife and ecosystem services'
• Assess the progress and delivery of the strategy through the 24 Biodiversity 2020 indicators
• Examine UK conservation activities such as the biodiversity offsetting pilots and other complementary projects
• Explore the economic value and benefits derived from protecting biodiversity
• Share experience on implementing the Biodiversity Duty by local and all other public authorities

Programme

Who Should Attend?

• Local Authorities
• Local Planning Authorities
• Biodiversity Leads
• Biodiversity Professionals
• Local Area Trailblazers
• Regional Development and Natural Environment Specialists
• Local Authority Green City Teams
• Local Authority Waste and Recycling Professionals
• Local Authority Waterways Professionals
• Relevant Central Government Departments
• Executive Agencies
• Non Departmental Public Bodies
• Regional Government Offices
• Non-ministerial Departments
• NHS Trusts
• Regional Assemblies
• Utilities
• Greater London Authority
• Police Authorities
• Fire Service
• Prison Service
• Museums
• Sustainable Development Stakeholders
• Transport Leads
• Sustainable Tourism Professionals
• Directors and Heads of Parks and Public Spaces
• Environmental Services and Policy Professionals
• Environmental Services Sustainability Professionals
• Environmental Services Urban Design Professionals
• Environmental Planning and Design Officers
• Conservation Professionals
• Environmental Campaigns Professionals
• Environmental Enforcement Professionals
• Housing Authorities and Professionals
• Farmers and Fair-trade Stakeholders
• Farming Organisations
• Rural Organisations
• Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Professionals
• Agricultural Research Professionals
• Energy Leads
• Renewable Leads
• Horticultural Managers
• Energy Efficiency Professionals
• Green Education Professionals
• Schools and Education Stakeholders (including LEAs)
• Schools Connecting with Nature
• Regeneration Professionals
• Pollution Professionals
• Private Sector Environmental Organisations
• Business Development Professionals
• Finance Leads
• Greening Retail Organisations
• Greening Industry Professionals
• Third Sector Environmental Organisations (including Volunteering Groups)

“ In October 2010 in Nagoya, Japan, over 190 countries around the world reached an historic global agreement to take urgent action to halt the loss of biodiversity. This agreement recognised just how important our wildlife and ecosystems are for sustaining a healthy planet and for delivering essential benefits for people… Biodiversity is key to the survival of life on Earth. Its loss deprives future generations of irreplaceable genetic information and compromises sustainability… This strategy provides the national framework for action to help us collectively achieve our goals. We need to work together, in partnership, to put this into practice, for the sake of England's wildlife, but also for ourselves and for future generations. ”
— Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, August 2011