Environment

UK environmental protection is based largely on site protection - specific sites are ‘designated; for certain features, which are then protected by statutes. Designations exist at various levels:

- International conventions such as OSPAR, RAMSAR

- European Directives such as the Habitats and Birds Directives

- National designations, principally the Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Unfortunately there are rafts of other designations, particularly in the Coastal zone. Many are non-statutory, but seem to carry great weight. Even without these, some 75% of the area of UK estuaries are covered by European designations, including most major yachting areas and all significant commercial ports.