County Council highlighted for pioneering nature recovery initiatives

Gloucestershire County Council has been highlighted as a local authority that is pioneering nature recovery initiatives in a new report.

Produced by UK100, the report is titled Powers in Place: Nature. It highlights local authorities across the country that are working to enhance the natural environment.

The report provides a comprehensive overview of all the legislation, strategies and guidance that enable councils to protect and enhance wildlife, restore biodiversity and promote nature recovery.

It features the following statistics that show the nature of the climate emergency nationwide:

·         The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, with 99.7% of fens, 97% of species-rich grasslands, 80% of lowland heathlands, up to 70% of ancient woodlands and up to 85% of salt marshes destroyed or degraded

·         One in nine children had not visited a park, forest or natural environment in the previous year

·         One in five Brits live in areas deprived of green space

·         Since the 1970s, 41% of all UK species studied have declined

·         While 26% of the UK’s mammals are at risk of extinction

UK100 is a network of local leaders who have pledged to lead a rapid transition to Net Zero with Clean Air in their communities ahead of the government’s legal target.

The council is committed to Gloucestershire being carbon net zero by 2045 and to reduce emissions by 80% by 2030.

From planning to peatland, Powers in Place: Nature highlights positive examples from across the country of local authorities using their powers innovatively.

In Gloucestershire, for example, projects like The Gloucestershire Tree Strategy is aiming to increase tree cover by 20% to promote nature recovery and boost biodiversity.

Over 260,000 trees have been planted in Gloucestershire, with an ambition to plant one million trees by 2030.

The council is also working to improve the biodiversity of its highway verges across the county. These areas can be a refuge for wildlife and act as corridors to connect habitats across Gloucestershire.

Cllr David Gray, Cabinet member responsible for the environment at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “We are committed to creating a Greener Gloucestershire and reaching net zero emissions from all sources across the county by 2045 to tackle the climate emergency.

“I am delighted that UK100 have recognised the hard work of the council and its staff.

“Over 260,000 trees have already been planted by the county council as part of an ambitious scheme with a target of planting one million trees across the county by 2030.”

Visit the Greener Gloucestershire webpage for more information on how the council is tackling the climate emergency.

You can sign up to receive the ‘Greener Gloucestershire’ newsletter to keep up to date on local activity, as well as to receive hints and tips on how you can reduce carbon emissions.

To read the UK100 report, click here.