Agenda

Report of the Executive Director, Resources and Governance

Nature Restoration Motion

That this Council notes:

i)        The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. Since the Industrial Revolution, we have already lost half of all animals, plants and birds because of intensive agriculture, habitat depletion and climate change. 

ii)      Pollination is one of the most important mechanisms in the maintenance and conservation of biodiversity, and in general, life on earth. Bees and other pollinating insects such as the hoverfly are vital in this process. Two thirds of the world’s 3000 species of agricultural crops require agents for and are reliant on pollination.

iii)    97% of wildflower meadows have been lost since the 1930s, reducing an important food source for pollinating insects. Estimates suggest it would cost UK farmers £1.8 billion a year to manually pollinate their crops.

iv)    The State of Nature 2023 report shows that since 1970, UK species populations have declined by about 19% on average, and nearly 1 in 6 species are now threatened with extinction.

v)      A report published by UN agencies on Climate Change and Biodiversity, states that the destruction of forests and other ecosystems is undermining nature’s ability to absorb and store greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which is the single biggest driver of global warming. The report concluded that climate change and biodiversity loss should be tackled together.

vi)    Nature is vital for the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink. But nature is in free-fall.

vii)   The covid 19 pandemic highlighted the importance of the relationship between people and nature. Faced with isolation during this time, being outdoors in nature offered many benefits and served, and continues to serve, as a reminder of the profound consequences to our wellbeing that can result from continued degradation of nature. There are many studies identifying clear links between robust mental health and access to green spaces and nature.

viii) However, reports provided by the world’s governments, as well as other sources of evidence, reveal examples of progress, which, if greatly scaled up, could support the transformative changes necessary to achieve the 2050 vision of living in harmony with nature.

ix)     The government states that local authorities are perfectly placed to lead by example, working with local communities, landowners and other partners in the development of local plans and strategies which support biodiversity.

That this Council believes:

i)        A thriving natural environment underpins a healthy, happy, prosperous society, and it is our duty and responsibility to support a Nature Restoration Plan to work together with the Climate Change Emergency already adopted, since they are inextricably linked.

ii)      Just like climate change, the loss of species and degradation of our natural environment is an existential threat, and the action needed is both urgent and transformative.

iii)    As well as improvements in the innate value people place in biodiversity, tackling its decline can deliver wider benefits to the environment, economy and society. 

 That this Council resolves:

i)        To declare a Nature Restoration Plan which, together with the Climate  ...  view the full agenda text for item 10a