Our Vision is focused on connecting our vibrant local people with our world-class environment so that everyone can thrive in our area.

Martin Harris, chair of The Living Coast, said: “We are immensely proud to live and work in our unique Biosphere, and I am equally proud of the way our team, board, partners and the community have come together to celebrate their work over our first 10 years. We have created an inspiring and shared vision that will connect and balance the needs of humanity and nature over the next 10 years and beyond.”

Brighton & Hove City Council leader Bella Sankey said: “The Living Coast is unique in the UK as the only urban UNESCO Biosphere. It’s an inspirational place, one of only seven in the UK and recognised internationally as a flagship for sustainability.

“Our strong and successful partnership has delivered some amazing projects which have contributed to the health and wellbeing of residents, increased inclusion and access to this wonderful landscape, and found positive solutions to climate change.”

Councillor Sophie Cox, Leader of Worthing Borough Council and councillor Jeremy Gardner, Leader of Adur District Council, said: “We are pleased to be supporting The Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere which is truly unique and recognised by UNESCO for our rare and beautiful landscape.

“We’re pleased to support the plan to expand The Living Coast boundary to include the whole of Adur and Worthing, which will make our area a highly sustainable and desirable place to live, work and visit.”

Leader of Lewes District Council Zoe Nicholson said: “Our area is a hub of innovation for environmentally sustainable practice. Our council is proactively working with partners and communities to positively respond to the climate and nature crisis we face. Now is the right time to extend The Living Coast’s geography to the whole of Lewes district, to increase the impact of our partnership over the next decade and take on the challenges ahead together.”

Vanessa Rowlands, Chair of the South Downs National Park Authority, said: “As a UK National Park, we share a core mission with UNESCO Biospheres: to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of our area.

“We want UNESCO continue to internationally recognise the collective efforts and ambitions of the Biosphere Partnership, where biodiversity conservation and sustainable development are compatible and mutually dependent goals.”

Supporting the region to thrive through the UNESCO biosphere is a priority action across the council areas, Lewes District’s Climate & Nature Strategy 2024, Brighton & Hove’s Council Plan for 2023-2027 and Adur & Worthing.

• Restore our natural heritage to ensure sustainable living for all
• Sustainability education for all
• Sustainable economic development and tourism
• Stronger funding, governance & communications

• A new geography: We are asking for a widened geography for a greater impact and stronger collaboration with the 3 local authorities of our Biosphere, to encompass the whole of A&W CC and LDC together with BHCC, going from 330k to 545k residents (subject to UNESCO approval in 2025)
• Embedding Youth voices: We are recruiting 2 voluntary Youth representatives to join the UK & Ireland network of UNESCO Biospheres – please share this opportunity widely: Become a Youth Representative for The Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere
• A wider Research & Academic network: We are reinforcing our Research work in close collaboration with the local Universities and colleges by expanding our interdisciplinary academic network
• Creating an artists’ network: We are calling for all local artists wanting to align their creative practices with sustainable values to join a local network led by our partner Fabrica, following a recent artist residency with Emma Chow where many members of the audience expressed the need to join forces.

UNESCO Biospheres are places of international best practice, promoting sustainable development in Conservation of biodiversity and cultural diversity, Economic development, Education & Research.

The World Network of UNESCO Biospheres counts over 750 sites, including 7 in the UK.

The Living Coast has been a designated UNESCO Biosphere since 2014. It currently stretches between Shoreham-by-Sea and Newhaven, from the Adur River to the Ouse River, from the South Downs to the sea. See The Living Coast’s partners.

View The Living Coast film