Plants are our life support system, yet an astonishing 40 per cent are estimated to be threatened with extinction.

Our world faces unprecedented twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, to which urgent responses are needed. As individuals and as a society, we are finally beginning to realise just how crucial the natural world is to human health and wellbeing. On 7-19 December 2022, in Montreal, Canada, delegates from around the world are meeting at COP15 to address critical items on the agenda – and it is crucial that decisions are based on sound science.

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is leading the fightback for plants, planet and our future, and is uniquely equipped to rise to the challenges. With specialist expertise and resources built over 350 years, four Gardens across Scotland, and collaborative research and conservation programmes around the world, our aim is to understand, protect and restore the world’s plant species and ecosystems, providing scientific solutions to safeguard our planet for future generations.

As Scotland’s plant biodiversity institute, discover more about how we are responding to the biodiversity crisis and climate emergency below.