ECOS 45 (1) - Protected Area Downgrading, Downsizing and Degazettement (PADDD) in the UK.

The article discusses the issue of Protected Area Downgrading, Downsizing, and Degazettement (PADDD) in the UK. It highlights the lack of information and central collection of data on the number of sites and frequency of these changes, which is concerning as the UK aims to fulfill its obligations under the Global Biodiversity Framework. The article explains the concept of PADDD and its three types of changes: downgrading, downsizing, and degazettement. It emphasizes that while some PADDD events may have positive outcomes, most of them undermine conservation objectives. The article also mentions specific examples of PADDD events in the UK, such as the impact of the HS2 rail link on protected areas. It concludes by calling for a national PADDD database to address the lack of information and increase transparency. [Extracted from the article]