UK Target 22: The UK will ensure the full, equitable, inclusive, effective and gender-responsive representation and participation in decision making, and access to justice and information related to biodiversity by indigenous peoples and local communities, respecting their cultures and their rights over lands, territories, resources, and traditional knowledge, as well as by women and girls, children and youth, and persons with disabilities and ensure the full protection of environmental human rights defenders[1].

Commitments:

UK

• We will continue to support indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) around the world in their role as guardians of forests, nature and biodiversity, including support to advance tenure security and effective land governance systems.

Scotland

• Regenerated biodiversity will drive a sustainable economy and support thriving communities, and people will play their part in the stewardship of nature for future generations.
• The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy is for everyone—large corporate players, small businesses, land managers, non-government organisations (NGOs) and Scotland’s communities and citizens whose decisions in everyday lives as producers and consumers have an impact on biodiversity. Its vision encapsulates three core ideas: that urgent action is needed at scale across our land and seascapes; that we are looking to the future – regenerating biodiversity and building resilience to climate change; and that people and communities are central to a nature positive future. Only by coming together to deliver transformational change in the way we use and manage our resources can we avoid irreversible damage to biodiversity.
• Delivery plans for the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy will set out a participatory and inclusive ‘whole-of-society’ approach that engages a wide range of delivery partners including local authorities and NGOs; local communities; business, especially land and water-based businesses; and the scientific and research community. They will be inclusive and engaging, and will empower stakeholders and communities through local and regional institutions.
• The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2025 reforms the way Scotland’s land is used and managed to ensure greater benefit to communities and the environment.

Northern Ireland

• Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 imposes a legal duty on public authorities in Northern Ireland to promote equality of opportunity and good relations across nine key areas (religious belief, political opinion, race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status, and dependants) when carrying out their functions, requiring them to consider policy impacts and often leading to Equality Impact Assessments to ensure positive outcomes or mitigate adverse effects.

UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies 

The British Virgin Islands 

• We will promote the establishment of youth environmental groups on all the islands.

Gibraltar

• We will continue to undertake fully inclusive public consultation processes to inform decision making.

UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies 

The British Virgin Islands

• Vision 2036: Building a Sustainable Virgin Islands sets out an overall vision for a well-balanced, people-centred Virgin Islands built on spirituality, social justice and equality; nurtured by trust, cultural knowledge and participatory governance; and strengthened by economic, environmental and social sustainability. One of the national outcomes of this policy is environmental sustainability.

Gibraltar

• The 25 Year Environment Plan sets out Gibraltar’s long-term strategy for protecting and enhancing its environment over the next quarter century. It provides a structured framework to guide policy, planning and environmental management.
• Access to environmental information in Gibraltar is ensured via Freedom of Access to information in the Environment Regulation 2005.
• Rights are enshrined under the Equal Opportunities Act and Government has a dedicated Department of Equality whose role is to ensure that all discrimination is identified and eliminated.