JNCC works on behalf of the Government to meet UK commitments
to report to
Europe and to global
Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs).
MEAs include the Conventions on Wetlands of International
Importance (
Ramsar), the Convention on International Trade
in Endangered Species (
CITES), and the Convention on Migratory Species
(
CMS).
There is an increasing drive within the UK, in Europe and
globally to streamline reporting. The UK government - advised by
JNCC - has been promoting an approach that is focussed on outcomes,
makes use of indicators and can be re-used time and again with few
changes. We have shown how this approach can work in practice
through the production of examples of reporting best practice, most
recently through the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
fourth national
report.
Indicators are at the heart
of UK’s approach as evidenced by the regular publication of
biodiversity indicators in the Indicators in your Pocket
series. Evidence gathering and interpretation are a crucial
prerequisite to reporting success.
JNCC delivers specific targeted evidence reports to meet policy
needs. It also co-ordinates and acts as a focal point in relation
to assessments, a new style of environmental reporting. They follow
the model of the Millennium Ecosystem
Assessment by aiming to interpret status and trends in nature
from the point of view of their impacts on human well-being and in
light of longer-term scenarios.
Our activities in the area of assessments include supporting the
UK National Ecosystem Assessment,
delivering parts of the marine assessment Charting Progress 2 and
providing a focal point into the European Assessment (EURECA). We are
also engaging with the follow-up process to the Millennium
Assessment, which is trying to improve scientific evidence and
expertise for future global assessments by creating an
International Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
(IPBES).