The conservation status of nationally important habitats and species across the UK and its offshore waters is being published under a new domestic reporting framework. This framework replaces former EU reporting obligations. JNCC has today published the report covering UK offshore waters. Reports for the four UK countries are being published separately, with all administrations due to release their findings by the end of January.
For over thirty years, JNCC has coordinated the production of UK Article 12 and Article 17 reports for submission to the European Commission. These reports tracked progress towards meeting the objectives of the Birds Directive and Habitats Directive.
Since leaving the EU, the UK no longer needs to report on habitats and species to the European Commission. However, understanding the condition of these habitats and species is still important for UK biodiversity and so equivalent reporting was retained in updated UK law to ensure continued protection of important habitats and species.
Under the updated UK laws, separate reports must be produced covering nationally important habitats and species in each of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and our UK offshore marine area every six years.
For each of the country reports, JNCC has coordinated this first round of Habitats Regulations reporting under the UK's domestic framework. Data from all four nations will help to track the conservation status of nationally important wildlife and habitats, both on land and offshore, and covers the period 2019-2024. This approach maintains long-term tracking of environmental trends while respecting devolved responsibilities.
JNCC provided technical guidance, standardised methodologies, and quality assurance to support the country nature conservation bodies, enabling data to be meaningfully combined and compared.
In addition to its coordination role, JNCC is directly responsible for producing the report for the UK’s offshore marine area. This extends beyond 12nm from the shore and encompasses 72.2 million hectares of the UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone and the UK continental shelf. JNCC plays a key role offshore, supporting government and industry to use the offshore environment sustainably, through identifying, monitoring and advising on protected areas; and by advising on the impacts of offshore industries.
The reports will inform UK commitments under the Bern Convention and the Global Biodiversity Framework. The data is publicly accessible to support research and guide conservation priorities. A consolidated UK summary report will follow by January 2028.
Published: