International Conventions

Ramsar Convention

The Ramsar Convention designates wetlands of international importance as 'Ramsar Sites'. This Convention was first signed in Ramsar in 1971 and the UK is a signatory. 

The Bern Convention

The Bern Convention is a binding international legal instrument in the field of nature conservation, which covers the whole of the natural heritage of the European continent and extends to some States of Africa. Its aims are to conserve wild flora and fauna and their natural habitats and to promote European co-operation in that field. The UK is a signatory to the Convention which was established at Bern, Switzerland in 1979.

The Convention on Biological Diversity

The Convention was opened for signature on 5 June 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. The Biodiversity Convention requires national governments to develop national strategies for the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of biological resources.