Biodiversity

This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on biodiversity. This includes select committee reports, briefing papers on current legislation and other subjects produced by the parliamentary research services, and the latest Early Day Motions put down by MPs. For material on genetic modification see agriculture.

Standard Notes

DateDescription
08.11.2012The Forestry Commission and the sale of public forests in England
This note sets out information on the sale of public forests managed by the Forestry Commission
20.04.2012The Chagos Islanders
This note provides brief background about the situation of the Chagos Islanders, paying particular attention to the legal dispute over whether they have the right of return and the recent establishment of a Marine Protection Area around the British Indian Ocean Territory (with the exception of Diego Garcia). The note is not comprehensive in its coverage and will not be automatically updated.
23.11.2011Marine Conservation Zones
This note describes the new powers to designate Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) in UK waters, which were introduced under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. MCZs will be used to protect nationally important marine wildlife, habitats, geology and geomorphology.
19.10.2011Biofuels
This note introduces issues surrounding biofuel policy in the UK and EU.
07.09.2011Septic tanks: new regulations
From January 2012 all septic tanks have to be registered or permited to protect groundwater supplies. A review has been launched to determine whether this approach is the most appropriate.

Research Papers

DateDescription
24.10.2001Marine Wildlife Conservation Bill (Bill 8 of 2001-02)
Marine Wildlife Conservation Bill (Bill 8 of 2001/02). House of Commons Library Research Paper 01/76.
24.06.1998Agriculture and the Environment
Agriculture and the Environment. House of Commons Library Research Paper 98/70.

Select Committee Reports

DateDescription
10.02.2009Halting biodiversity loss.
Government response. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Environmental Audit Select Committee report [Commons]

Early Day Motions

DateDescription
15.03.2011NATURAL ENVIRONMENT WHITE PAPER
That this House looks forward to the forthcoming publication of a Natural Environment White Paper; notes that this is the first White Paper of its kind in 20 years; recognises that ...
25.05.2010ENDANGERED BRITISH MAMMALS
That this House is dismayed that 18 species of Britain's mammals, almost a third of the total, are now listed as endangered; congratulates the People's Trust for Endangered Species ...
02.03.2010NATIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING WEEK
That this House welcomes and supports National Science and Engineering Week, 12 to 21 March 2010 and the What on Earth nature-spotting project to highlight biodiversity in the UK; calls ...
23.02.2009DEFORESTATION, CLIMATE CHANGE AND LIVESTOCK
That this House notes that global livestock and animal feed production contributes to 18 per cent. of global greenhouse gas emissions and is currently the most significant driver of ...
13.01.2009ENDANGERED BRITISH MAMMALS
That this House is dismayed that 18 species of Britain's mammals, almost a third of the total, are now listed as endangered; congratulates The People's Trust for Endangered Species ...

POST Papers

DateDescription
05.02.2013Biodiversity & Planning Decisions
Built developments and mineral extraction can bring social benefits. However, if developments decrease biodiversity there could be a net loss of human well-being. Planning policy is devolved and this POSTnote sets out how the information on impacts of proposed developments on biodiversity is given to planners in England. It also summarises approaches to enhance biodiversity and avoid, mitigate and compensate for negative impacts.
18.01.2013Biodiversity in UK Overseas Territories
The UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) support a diverse variety of habitats ranging from ice fields and rocky islands to coral reef atolls and tropical forests. This POSTnote summarises the challenges to conservation management and halting biodiversity loss in UKOTs, as required under international agreements.
05.09.2012Balancing Nature and Agriculture
This POSTnote explores two approaches to managing land for balancing nature conservation with sustainable food production. Land sharing integrates the objectives of agriculture and benefits to wildlife on the same land. Land sparing on the other hand separates intensive farming areas from protected natural habitats at larger scales.
01.05.2011Natural capital accounting, May 2011
This POSTnote outlines the need for "environmental accounting" by governments, to maintain the capacity of ecosystems to sustain human well-being at acceptable levels.
01.05.2011The ecosystem approach, May 2011
This POSTnote outlines how the ecostystem approach makes explicit the link between the status of natural resource systems and ecosystem services that support human well-being.
01.01.2011Biodiversity offsetting, January 2011
This POSTnote summarises biodiversity offsetting and examines opportunities and risks of offsets within a UK context.

Glossary

  • Research Papers (RP) - briefings produced by the House of Commons Library on Bills, topical issues and regular statistics
  • Standard Notes (SN) - shorter, topical briefings from the Commons Library
  • Early Day Motions (EDMs) - formal motions submitted by MPs in the House of Commons
  • POST Notes - short briefing notes produced by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
  • Lords Library Notes (LLN) - an occasional series of papers compiled by the House of Lords Library