Environment
The lead administration for the Environment is the UK Government.
Pollution, climate change, invasive species and other environmental hazards and threats do not respect boarders making intergovernmental co-operation vital to protect and improve the environment across these islands.
The Environment work sector was established at the first British-Irish Council Summit in 1998 where it was agreed that the UK Government would lead.
There have been 12 meetings of BIC Environment Ministers. Ministers have discussed a very broad range of environmental topics throughout the history of the British-Irish Council including Sustainable Development, Marine, Waste, Climate Change Adaptation and Biodiversity.
The 12th Ministerial meeting, focusing on Biodiversity was held in Vogrie Country Park, Midlothian, Scotland in September 2012. At the meeting it was decided that a workshop for experts from across the islands should be held to discuss further co-operation on Non-Native Invasive Species. The next Ministerial Meeting will take place in Spring 2014 focusing on Sustainable Production and Consumption.
Communiqués from Previous Ministerial Meetings
11th Ministerial Meeting - 25 February 2011
10th Ministerial Meeting - 15 July 2010
9th Ministerial Meeting - 17 April 2009
8th Ministerial Meeting - 1 February 2008
