Environment
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Invasive Species
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Indigenous, Minority and Lesser-Used Languages
Creative Industries
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Overview
The British-Irish Council’s (BIC) eight member administrations hosts some of the most stunning and diverse natural landscapes and habitats anywhere in the world. However, with the ongoing impacts of climate change, protecting our wild and marine life is a shared challenge and priority across these islands. Given the scale of these challenges, the Environment Work Sector has historically focussed on several wide-ranging areas, including the marine environment, marine litter, climate adaptation and invasive alien species.
Lead Administration
The Environment work sector was established at the first British-Irish Council Summit in 1999 to share environmental expertise and learning across the eight BIC administrations. This has proven to be a constructive and unique forum for facilitating evidence exchange and practical collaboration since the Council was first established.
The Environment work sector is chaired by the UK Government.
Current Focus
At the 17th British-Irish Council Environment Ministerial meeting which took place in May 2025, Ministers agreed to the streamlining of the Environment Work Sector, confirming the closure of the Marine Litter, Marine Environment and Climate Adaptation subgroups following the conclusion of their work plans. They also agreed to elevating the Invasive Non-Native Species subgroup and Asian Hornet Taskforce subgroup into a combined Invasive Species Work Sector. Ministers also discussed the future focus of the Environment Work Sector, with Circular Economy agreed as the immediate topic of focus.
