Council declares ecological emergency
South Derbyshire District Council has declared an ecological emergency.
At their meeting on Thursday 14 September, councillors passed the following motion:
“This council formally declares an ecological emergency in response to the ongoing threat to wildlife and ecosystems.
“The declaration recognises the essential role that nature plays and provides a statement of intent, to enhance and restore our natural landscape, local wildlife, rivers, streams, water resources, habitats and trees and resist the destruction of such habitats through a considered and sustainable local planning policy.
“This motion will see the council add ecological considerations, together with any implications, alongside those for climate, sustainability, and nature recovery in our new corporate plan as strategic priorities embedded within all areas of council engagement.
“The council will continue to collaborate with our communities, businesses and other organisations, existing networks, and partnerships to improve ecological literacy, encourage greater biodiversity, increase local sustainable food production in order to protect food security, tree planting and management.”
The motion was proposed by Independent councillor Amy Wheelton and supported by fellow councillors.
South Derbyshire District Council’s leader, Councillor Robert Pearson, said: “The welfare of South Derbyshire and its residents is our primary concern, which is why I am proud to support this motion to declare an ecological emergency.
“South Derbyshire has over 2,392 hectares of green space and contains a third of the National Forest. Given this unique setting, it is right that we should address this now.
“I will work with fellow councillors and officers over the coming weeks and months to make sure the ecology of the district is a key consideration of decisions that we make.”
South Derbyshire District Council has a record of dealing with environmental and ecological issues. The council is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and in January 2022 was named as the highest-scoring climate action plan in the East Midlands by independent body Climate Emergency UK.
The council also adopted a nature recovery strategy in partnership with the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust & Derbyshire County Council.
Declaring the ecological crisis brings together several key commitments to help restore the natural world highlighting unsustainable practices and the attention to avert these for future generations.
Alongside nature recovery strategies, the council will be implementing Biodiversity Net Gain in November, a tool which is fundamental to natures recovery enacted through the planning process.
Highlighting the grave decline in biodiversity is a critical phase in reversing the downward trend whilst work on the ground continues. Just recently, local nature reserve status was secured for Swadlincote Woodlands based on its special natural interest and educational value.
19 September 2023