Key Impact Points:

• Ruth Davis OBE, a leading environmental expert, has been appointed as the UK’s first Special Representative for Nature, ahead of COP16 in Colombia.
• Davis will focus on tackling the global biodiversity crisis, drawing on her extensive experience in environmental policy and international negotiations.
• Her role, jointly reporting to the Environment and Foreign Secretaries, underscores the UK’s commitment to integrating nature recovery and climate action into foreign policy.

The UK government has appointed Ruth Davis OBE as the country’s first Special Representative for Nature, signaling its commitment to addressing the global biodiversity crisis. This announcement comes as environment ministers gather for the UN Convention on Biological Diversity COP16 in Colombia.

Davis, a prominent environmental policy expert with over 25 years of experience, will be tasked with driving international efforts to halt the alarming decline of species and ecosystems. She previously played a key role in securing a global pledge to end deforestation, signed by 145 countries at COP26.

Environment Secretary Steve Reed highlighted the importance of Davis’s appointment, stating:
“We cannot address the nature and climate crises without coordinated global action. Ruth will champion our ambition to put climate and nature at the heart of our foreign policy.”

Davis’s new role comes at a critical moment, as nations convene to evaluate progress on the Global Biodiversity Framework, which was adopted at COP15. With biodiversity loss accelerating, her expertise will be crucial in ensuring the UK meets its commitments, including protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized the urgency of the task:
“One million species face extinction. Wildlife populations have fallen by 73% since 1970, and the climate and nature emergency is a profound global threat. Ruth’s appointment will help us work towards a liveable planet for all.”

Davis expressed her commitment to the role, underscoring the interconnectedness of the nature and climate crises:
“Ecosystems and the species they support are essential to maintain food security, reduce health risks, and manage rising global temperatures. I am honored to take on this challenge and collaborate with global partners to safeguard our natural world.”

As the UK continues to push for global biodiversity action, Davis’s leadership will be pivotal in driving international cooperation and ensuring that nature recovery remains a central pillar of global climate policy.