Geography of Jersey

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The main natural resource on this island is arable land. 66% of the island's land is used as such, and the remaining 34% is used for other purposes.

There are two laws that govern agricultural land in Jersey: Agricultural Land (Control of Sales and Leases) (Jersey) Law 1947 and Protection of Agricultural Land (Jersey) Law 1964. Temporary changes of land use can be granted by the Land Controls scheme, which means land over 2 vergées (0.36 ha) can be used for an alternative purpose, however permanent changes require planning permission.[6]

Jersey is facing localised impacts due to anthropogenic climate change. The island is party to the Kyoto Protocol but does not have an emissions cap.[7] In 2017, Jersey has emissions of around 400 ktCO2 eq., a decrease of around 350 ktCO2 eq since the peak in 1998.[8] Under a 3°C rise in temperature, Jersey may have four to five times the number of hot days in summer and a 45% decrease in summer rainfall.

Climate change could have impacts on Jersey's economy. Climate change will increase soil temperatures, shifting growing seasons more to winter seasons, impacting the current husbandry practices. Being at the boundary of two marine regions, Jersey's waters could see a change in fish species. A rise in temperature could be beneficial to the island's tourist industry, with more annual warm days and less rainfall in the summer attracting longer and more frequent stays from travellers.

In May 2019, the States Assembly declared the island was undergoing a climate emergency. This commits the island to carbon neutrality by 2030.[9] On 31 Dec 2019, the Government of Jersey published the Carbon Neutral Strategy[8] which aims to meet the island's carbon neutrality target. Plans of the Carbon Neutral Strategy include:

• A "people-powered" approach, possibly incorporating the parish and community governance as well as a Citizens' Assembly
• The introduction of a new Sustainable Transport Policy, including 1.55 million GBP in cycling, walking, bus travel and transition to electric vehicles

In order to adapt to the affects of sea level rise on the island, the Government has prepared a Shoreline Management Plan.

Land use is tightly controlled in Jersey, especially due to the high density population. The Planning Team of the Customer and Local Services Department manages planning applications, but approval is granted by the Planning Committee, made of States Members.

The governing development plan for the island is the Island Plan, last published in 2011 and voted on by the States Assembly. The plan decides the overall vision for development on the island as well as issuing baseline planning guidance. The current Island Plan was issued in 2011 and revised in 2014. In 2021, the Island Plan is under review, with a bridging Island Plan excpected to be in place from 2022.[10]

The Revised 2011 Island Plan[11] is centred of three simple concepts of countryside protection, the wise use of resources and urban regeneration. It aims to meet most development needs in the existing built-up areas, especially the town of St Helier.[12]

Jersey has a single national park known as the Coastal National Park, formed of a number of separate areas. The park includes St Ouen's Bay, Gorey Common, the north and south-west coast and certain valleys such as St Catherine's Woods. It also includes the offshore reefs part of the Bailiwick. In the national park, most forms of development are not permitted.[13]

Jersey has a green belt policy known as the Green Zone. This consists of most rural areas on the island except the national park. There is a general presumption against development in the zone. According to the plan the policy has "vigourous" public support.[14]

The Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown Dependency. It is self-governing with its own legislature, the States Assembly, and government. It is sovereign territory of the Crown and not part of the United Kingdom, however the UK is internationally resposible for Jersey. The Jersey government is "with some important caveats, content with their relationship with the Ministry of Justice".[15]^{:para 13}

Jersey is part of the British-Irish Council, which is formed of the national governments of each of the countries and dependencies in the British Isles.[16] Jersey is neither a member of the United Nations nor the European Union.

The island is divided into twelve administrative regions, known as parishes, the largest of which is St Ouen and the smallest of which is St Clement.

Jersey has a highly developed economy driven by international financial and legal services, which accounted for 40.5% of total GVA in 2010.[17] Its gross national income per capita is among the highest in the world.[18] The island has been criticised by some as a tax haven as it attracts deposits from customers outside the island seeking lower taxes. However, the Jersey financial sector disputes this claim.[19] Other important sectors to the Jersey economy include construction, retail and wholesale, agriculture and tourism.