Science Policy

The Science Policy team leverages Kew Science’s expertise to provide evidence-based advice, research, and training to influence and inform institutional, national and international decisions relating to conservation and the sustainable use of biodiversity.

We maximise the impact of Kew Science by both bridging the gap between research and policy implementation; and ensuring that Kew fulfils best practice with regard to the legal and ethical obligations associated with our research.

Our work to influence national and international policy promotes collaboration in support of the protection of plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on earth.

Our work includes:

Translating Kew Science into policy advice

We work with Kew Scientists to ensure that their research and expertise is helping to inform the policy decisions which affect our environment. To do this, we convene and collaborate with stakeholders across academia, government, NGOs, corporates and charities and the UK and around the world.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Scientific Authority

As the UK CITES Scientific Authority for Flora (since 1976), we provide scientific advice to Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). We support the implementation of CITES by assessing the conservation impacts of international trade in plants, conducting research in support of sustainable trade of wild species and representing the UK at CITES meetings such as the Conference of the Parties (CoP) and the Plants Committee.

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

We ensure Kew’s research partnerships are compliant with the obligations of the CBD and its Nagoya Protocol – in particular, with national legislation on ABS – using bilateral agreements and designing internal processes to track how plant and fungal material is acquired, used and how any benefits which accrue are shared.

We also provide advice to Defra to support the UK’s implementation of the CBD and help to shape the agenda of the Convention. We do this by leveraging the expertise of Kew Science, to inform the development and implementation of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF); providing experience-driven thought-leadership on Access and Benefit Sharing and through participation in international meetings including Conference of the Parties (CoP), often as part of the UK delegation.

Teaching and training

We provide bespoke training and guidance on environmental policy to Kew staff, students and external stakeholders.

Our contributions

Our work contributes to the delivery of Kew’s Manifesto for Change commitments to:

Deliver science-based knowledge and solutions to protect biodiversity and use natural resources sustainably
Influence national and international opinion and policy

It also contributes to the delivery of global targets and strategies, including the Global Biodiversity Framework, the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation and the Sustainable Development Goals.