March 4th 2021
On the 2nd March 2021, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew launched their 10-year strategy to end extinction crisis and protect nature. Formally known as ‘Our Manifesto for Change 2021-2030’, it is a new strategy mapping out its mission and areas of focus for the next decade.
“The institution’s ultimate goal is step up to help to end the extinction crisis and contribute to creating a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably. In the wake of a global pandemic, and with the future of the planet in peril, the strategy represents a public commitment by RBG Kew to do everything in its power to reverse the environmental devastation of biodiversity loss and climate change.”
To deliver this mission, the manifesto centres around five key priorities:
Delivering science-based solutions to help us protect biodiversity and use natural resources sustainably
- Inspire people to protect the natural world
- Training the next generation of experts
- Extend RBG Kew’s reach
- Influencing national and international opinion and policy
Director of RBG Kew, Richard Deverell, said: “All life depends on plants and fungi, but natural resources are being degraded and destroyed at a rate unprecedented in human history. We stand at a crossroads - the next decade will be critical if we are to reverse this environmental devastation. RBG Kew is perfectly placed as a globally revered plant science institute to lead efforts in creating a world where nature is protected, for the benefit of humanity and our planet.
As Our Manifesto for Change demonstrates, we will no longer be silent. Drawing on our leading scientific research, unrivalled collections of plants and fungi, global network of partners, and our gardens at Kew and Wakehurst, as well as 260 years of history, we will seek to shape policy and practice in both the public and private sectors and lead by example as an advocate for environmental sustainability”.