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Policy paper

UK Special Representative for Nature: terms of reference (extension, June 2026)

Published 8 June 2026

© Crown copyright 2026

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-special-representative-for-nature-terms-of-reference/uk-special-representative-for-nature-terms-of-reference-extension-june-2026

  1. The UK Special Representative for Nature will support ministers to increase senior international diplomatic engagement on nature, increasing UK international leadership, building influence, raising global ambition and accelerating progress on UK strategic objectives. The Special Representative for Nature will report to the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

  2. The Special Representative for Nature will build international partnerships, drive diplomatic efforts including campaigns, unlock progress and prepare the ground for delivery against the government’s nature objectives including at major international nature events.

  3. The Special Representative for Nature’s role will include support on:

  • forests: progressing UK international forest leadership, and building financial support for forests
  • oceans: mobilising and mainstreaming blue finance and promoting marine protected areas, consolidating ocean partnerships with other countries
  • sustainable agriculture and water: supporting scaling of sustainable agriculture and land use, food and water systems including in more fragile settings
  • finance: unlocking new sources of finance for nature, including expanding investments in nature as resilient infrastructure, mobilising private sector resources for the bioeconomy, supporting the International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits and progressing development of the Cali Fund
  • international engagement: building momentum around HM Government (HMG) nature and climate security policy and delivery of outcomes through the three upcoming COPs (on climate, biodiversity and desertification), directly and in the margins, and preparation for the UK’s 2027 G20 Presidency

4. The Special Representative for Nature’s key responsibilities will be to:

  • conduct a proactive programme of international engagement, coordinated with DEFRA and FCDO directors, and involving departmental policy leads
  • strengthen UK partnerships and coalitions with priority countries and stakeholders, improving coordination, mobilising ambition and accelerating innovation and partnerships with a focus on the above areas
  • represent and support ministers/senior officials as required internationally
  • feed back routinely and systematically on all engagements so that departments can follow up and maximise UK collective impact, helping shape and inform the UK’s strategic approach to key issues
  • advise HMG on where and how it can amplify its influence and impact on nature in relation to the above areas
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