International Environment Conventions

UNFCCC Logo

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

The UNFCCC is to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with climate. It aims to strengthen global responses to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. It also aims to strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change.

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Convention on Migratory Species

The Convention on Migratory Species aims to conserve migratory species throughout their range. It works on the premise that the conservation & effective management of migratory wild animals requires concerted action of all States within the national jurisdictional boundaries of which species spend any part of their life cycle. All but one of the UK's OTs have been included in the UK's ratification of this agreement.


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Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

CITES is an international treaty aimed to prevent species from becoming endangered or extinct because of international trade. Under this, countries work together to regulate international trade of animal & plant species and ensure that this trade is sustainable and not detrimental to the survival of wild populations. 13 of UK's OTs are included in UK's ratification of this agreement.

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Ramsar Convention logo

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

The Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation & wise use of wetlands & their resources, including designation of Wetlands of International Importance ("Ramsar Sites"). In 2006, UKOTCF published a review for, and with, UK & UKOT/CD governments of actual & potential Ramsar Sites.

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Convention on Biological Diversity logo

Convention on Biological Diversity

The Convention on Biological Diversity has 3 main goals: biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of its components, and fair & equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources. It recognises that biodiversity is not simply about animals, plants & their ecosystems, but also includes people & their needs, including a clean & healthy environment in which to live. 9 of UK's OTs have so far been included in UK's ratification of this agreement.

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