Welcome from our Chief Executive

Welcome to the Winter 2023 edition of Nature News which highlights our work to enable nature recovery across land and sea in the UK, the UK Overseas Territories and around the world.

As the UK’s only statutory nature advisor to all four countries of the United Kingdom JNCC has a unique ability to bring together organisations across governments. We used our convening role with great effect last November when we coordinated a call for action on nature recovery by the statutory nature bodies and spoke with one voice to our stakeholders and partners in advance of COP15.

I’m proud of our staff’s ability to support UK policy makers and take the lead in part of the negotiations at the Convention on Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties 15 (CBD COP15). It was a great achievement to have our indicators taken forward to monitor progress in the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

In this issue we feature how our robust evidence and advice supports better decision making and knowledge sharing across a wide range of projects in partnership with non-governmental organisations, from NGOs to industry groups. In March we marked our influential work to protect endangered species of wild fauna with the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. You can read about how we work with a range of partners and other CITES Authorities across the globe, providing licensing and policy advice, as well as training to help in the fight against illegal wildlife trade.

We have started a busy year by moving our Head Office in Peterborough. It’s great to share this new government hub with colleagues from Defra, the Environment Agency and Natural England, and we look forward to working closer together.

We’re delighted to welcome Dave Stone who joins us as our Chief Scientist. Dave comes with a strong background, having worked with Natural England for over thirty years and he will be known to many of our partners and stakeholders. You will be hearing more from Dave in a future edition of Nature News

I hope you enjoy reading about our work to turn science into action for nature, people and the planet.

JNCC works across land and sea with partners in the UK, the UK Overseas Territories and around the world. For over 30 years our trusted expertise, dedication and skills have strengthened nature conservation and we are working in collaboration to drive nature recovery.

We are for nature, for people and the planet

Peterborough staff move into Quay House

Peterborough based JNCC staff have moved into Quay House, sharing facilities with colleagues from Defra, the Environment Agency, Natural England, and the Passport Office, in this new government hub.

On 14 March Cabinet Minister Alex Burghart opened the building: “It’s fantastic to be in Peterborough to open our brand new Government Hub. This is a very important day for the city. As today shows, this Government is investing in Peterborough and the East of England to create jobs and opportunities for the long-term.”

Quay House achieved BREEAM Excellent certification and the Government Property Agency’s net zero programme will ensure continual improvement in energy efficiency.