In common with other small Islands, the Channel Islands face significant threats from climate change. Protection of the environment on land and in the surrounding marine areas is crucial for the unique ecosystems of the Islands. In some cases, EU environmental standards, in areas like air and water quality, are used as guidelines for domestic legislation in the Channel Islands, even though there is no legal obligation to do so. 

Given the global nature of the challenges surrounding climate change and the environment, the Islands follow closely the initiatives being developed in the EU as part of the European Green Deal. Guernsey and Jersey have each developed their own carbon neutral roadmaps.