Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the variety of all life on earth. It does not just represent rare or threatened animals and plants, but includes all of the natural world, including humans.

Biodiversity is important in its own right, but also contributes to our health and wellbeing, helps tackle climate change and can support local economies. It is important that we protect and enhance biodiversity for our own health and prosperity and that of future generations.

Since signing the Convention on Biological Diversity at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992, the UK has committed to halting the loss of biodiversity. Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs) are seen as a crucial way to do this at a local level.

An updated LBAP covering the period 2017-2021 was approved by Committee in February, following public consultation. Superseding and building on the Dunbartonshire LBAP 2010-2013, this document emphasises the social, economic and environmental benefits to be gained from conserving and enhancing biodiversity.

The LBAP was formally launched at Mugdock Country Park on 8 September 2017. This is available in the documents section below.

The Council also signed Scotland's Geodiversity Charter at the launch event, demonstrating the links between biodiversity and geodiversity and signalling our commitment to local action on geodiversity in partnership with the Scottish Geodiversity Forum.

The Council, and all other public bodies, has a legal duty to conserve and protect biodiversity. Every three years the Council publishes a report detailing the steps we have taken to comply with this duty.