The UK government has appointed Ruth Davis OBE as the first
Special Representative for Nature. This landmark announcement is
being is made as the UN Convention on Biological Diversity COP16
meeting in Colombia marks its first formal day.
Ruth Davis is one of the country's leading environmental policy
experts, with over twenty-five years' experience working on
issues of nature recovery and climate change.
Ms Davis previously advised the government when it hosted COP26,
including helping secure an international pledge to end
deforestation, which was signed by 145 countries. She played a
leading role supporting negotiators and ministers and has
previously worked with some of the UK's leading nature
organisations including RSPB and Plantlife. She holds an MSc from
Reading University in Plant Sciences and a diploma in Botanical
Horticulture from Kew.
Her appointment comes as environment ministers gather in Colombia
to discuss conservation and sustainable use of the world's
biological diversity. The Global Biodiversity Framework was
agreed at COP15 in Montreal, where over 150 countries signed up
to and committed themselves to halting and reversing the
international decline of nature.
Miss Davis will begin her role as Special Representative for
Nature at the end of this month and will attend COP16 in her
current role as an advocate for nature, working alongside the UK
delegation led by Environment Secretary, .
This is a joint role between the FCDO and Defra and Ms Davis will
report to both the Environment Secretary and the Foreign
Secretary.
Environment Secretary said:
“We cannot address the nature and climate crises without
coordinated global action. That is why we have appointed Ruth as
our special representative for nature – a landmark first – who
will champion our ambition to put climate and nature at the heart
of our foreign policy.
"We depend on nature in every aspect of our lives - it underpins
our economy, health and society - and yet progress to restore our
wildlife and habitats has been too slow. Ruth's extensive
knowledge and expertise will be vital to help us deliver on
our commitments to put nature on the road to recovery”
Foreign Secretary said:
“One million species are facing extinction, including one third
of both marine mammals and coral reefs. And wildlife populations
fallen by 73 per cent since 1970, mostly due to a staggering 83
per cent collapse in freshwater species.
“The climate and nature emergency is the most profound and
universal source of global disorder. I am delighted Ruth Davis is
joining to be our first ever UK Special Representative for Nature
to help us achieve our goal of a liveable planet for all, now and
in the future.”
Ruth Davis, the Special Representative for Nature said:
“The government has recognised that the nature crisis is of equal
gravity to the climate crisis; and that we cannot tackle one
without addressing the other. Ecosystems and the species they
support are essential to maintain food security, reduce health
risks and manage the impacts of rising global temperatures.
"I am delighted to be working with colleagues across government,
and with partners around the world, to take on this urgent
challenge; in particular, ensuring that the rules and incentives
that govern the global economy work to protect and restore
nature; and that we invest in the commitment, knowledge and
passion of local people, who are critical to safeguarding the
places where they live."
The announcement of the Special Representative for Nature follows
confirmation that Rachel Kyte will take up the role of the UK's
Special Representative for Climate, announced last month.
The Special Representatives will support ministers to raise
global ambition on nature recovery and climate change. They will
drive engagement with international leaders and build influence
on the global stage to meet the UK's strategic objectives.
ENDS
Notes
to editors:
- Miss Davis will attend COP16 to advocate for nature recovery.
Her role as Special Representative for Nature will begin at the
end of this month.
