For the first time, the UK government and all 14 of its Overseas Territories have come together to launch a joint strategy aimed at safeguarding some of the world’s most remarkable wildlife hotspots. The new Biodiversity Strategy, unveiled on 28th November, sets an ambitious framework to halt and reverse biodiversity loss across territories spanning from the Antarctic to the Caribbean, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Home to 94% of the UK’s unique species and a quarter of the world’s penguins, the Overseas Territories support over 40,000 species, including 1,851 found nowhere else on Earth. Iconic residents such as emperor penguins, green turtles, the mountain chicken frog of Montserrat, and the Bermuda petrel bird—all of which were once thought extinct—are set to benefit from this unprecedented collaborative effort. These species face growing threats from climate change, pollution, habitat loss, and invasive species.
Nature Minister Mary Creagh highlighted the significance of the initiative, saying, “We are blessed with remarkable wildlife in our Overseas Territories… there are thousands of species that cannot be found anywhere else. This precious biodiversity is under threat from global warming, and it is our duty to protect it. For the first time, all 14 UK Overseas Territories have signed off this strategy to safeguard these treasured species in these iconic places.”
Minister for the Overseas Territories Stephen Doughty emphasized the territories’ global environmental role. “Our Overseas Territories are vital custodians of our oceans and ecosystems—overseeing 94% of Britain’s unique species. This strategy marks an important moment in our collaboration, uniting us behind a shared ambition to protect their extraordinary biodiversity,” he said.
Environment Minister for Gibraltar John Cortes described the strategy as the result of years of study and collaboration, noting it sets a challenge for present and future generations to protect these unique ecosystems. Dr. David Cooper, chair of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, added that the strategy will strengthen scientific cooperation, support multilateral environmental agreements, and ensure these globally important ecosystems continue to thrive while supporting local economies.
The Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy is built around six overarching goals with clear actions for each territory. It will be reviewed every three years to adapt to evolving challenges and is supported by funding from the UK Darwin Plus Funds, which recently allocated around £5 million to restore nature across the territories.
Safeguarding these ecosystems is vital not only for wildlife but also for the residents who rely on nature-dependent sectors such as tourism and fishing. Protecting these natural landscapes also provides climate resilience, from Anguilla’s sand dunes shielding communities from storm surges to the carbon-storing mangroves of the Cayman Islands.
The launch of this strategy coincides with the Joint Ministerial Council in London, marking a significant step in the UK’s wider commitment to restore nature and protect 30% of land and seas for biodiversity by 2030.
