UK’s only urban UNESCO biosphere looks forward to the next decade
The Living Coast will submit an application to UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, to continue being part of the World Network of Biospheres.
Every decade UNESCO requires a periodic review to renew the designation. Councillors at the City Environment, South Downs and the Sea committee this evening (Tuesday, 12 March) endorsed the submission and warmly welcomed the 10 year review and emerging priorities for the next decade, which have been shaped with partners in the region.
Martin Harris, chair of The Living Coast, said: “The Living Coast’s 10 year review represents a substantial piece of work undertaken with great passion and professionalism by our team and partners.
“The positive engagement and encouragement received from the community, councillors and many others we have engaged with during its preparation has been as inspiring as it has been valuable, and from which we will continue to draw in the coming years.”
Working in partnership
Led by Brighton & Hove City Council, The Living Coast operates as a cross-sector partnership with businesses, conservation, education, voluntary, community, arts and culture, and local government organisations.
Stretching from the River Ouse at Newhaven to the River Adur at Shoreham-By-Sea, for the last 10 years the area has enjoyed international status from UNESCO as a “biosphere”.
The current designation includes 390 square kilometres of Sussex coast, South Downs, and the cities and towns of Brighton & Hove, Lewes, Newhaven, and Shoreham-By-Sea.
It is the only urban biosphere in the UK, providing local, national, and international recognition to the region’s outstanding natural environments, encompassing the South Downs National Park, a unique chalk aquifer and the Marine Conservation Zone.
UNESCO Biosphere status acknowledges areas where people live well, biodiversity is respected, and places of international best practice for sustainability.
The aims of The Living Coast are to protect wildlife and habitats; promote sustainable economy and communities; and encourage environmental education, training and research.
An asset for the region
Councillor Tim Rowkins, chair of the City Environment, South Downs and the Sea committee, said: “The Living Coast UNESCO biosphere is a very special place and a strong asset for our region. It’s globally important for our unique landscapes and rare habitats.
“It has brought together a dynamic partnership which delivers innovative solutions to address climate change and biodiversity loss, bringing people closer to nature and improving health and wellbeing.
“We want to build on our UNESCO world biosphere designation by strengthening our partnerships, joining up programmes on climate change, conservation and protecting resources, and inviting more people to enjoy The Living Coast.”
Looking to the future
The Living Coast’s ambitions for a strengthened Biosphere Partnership have come out of a detailed review of the last 10 years involving communities, groups and local organisations.
Priorities include:
- Protecting natural heritage to ensure sustainable living for all
- Using the UNESCO designation to promote a sense of local pride and promote sustainable economic development and tourism
- Ensuring stronger funding and governance to support the Biosphere’s goals
- Promoting sustainability education
Other recommendations are to strengthen links and collaboration with partners and programmes; extend the Living Coast to include all of Lewes, Worthing & Adur local authority areas and set up a youth engagement programme.
10 years of achievements
Collaboration with people and organisations has resulted in many achievements over the last decade.
These include a trawler ban to allow marine habitats to regenerate; protecting underground water supplies through the Aquifer Partnership; the opening of a new national trail; and an ambitious City Downland Estate Plan for sustainable management of Brighton & Hove’s rural estate.
The Living Coast was also instrumental in enabling support for the continuation of the city’s environmental education programme and bringing The Aquifer Partnership under its management.
Councillor Rowkins added: “I am really pleased to be able to confirm the future of both the Our City Our World environmental education programme and The Aquifer Partnership.
"Embedding this work within The Living Coast strengthens the biosphere’s capacity to deliver towards the council’s goals in relation to health and wellbeing, biodiversity, net zero, equality and inclusion.”
The Living Coast team will submit the renewal document in September for a decision in 2025.
More information
Watch the committee on the council’s webcast (The report: Building on our UNESCO World Biosphere designation for the next decade is agenda item 55)
Find out more about UNESCO biospheres
Supporting the city to thrive through the UNESCO biosphere is a priority action in the Council Plan for 2023-2027. It supports the goal to create a flourishing and inclusive local economy and develop Brighton & Hove as a city to be proud of and a place where people want to live, work and learn.
