Cheltenham Borough Council

Declares that there is a nature emergency, recognising:a. That nature is in long term decline and urgent action must be taken to reverse this, that the UK is one of the world's most nature-depleted countries - in the bottom 10% globally and the worst in the G7 - and with only about half its biodiversity left that it is far below the global average;b. That a thriving natural environment underpins a healthy, prosperous society, that it benefits our physical and mental health, feeds us, cleans our air, moderates urban heat, absorbs carbon, makes towns like Cheltenham beautiful and that its survival and diversity is essential to human life;c. That the nature crisis and the climate emergency are intrinsically linked and that the impacts of the climate crisis drive nature’s decline, while restoring nature can help to tackle the climate crisis. 2. Notes the positive work already begun and planned by this council including:d. Policy SD9 of the current Joint Core strategy with Gloucester and Tewkesbury which commits us to protect and enhance biodiversity and to establish and reinforce resilient ecological networkse. The Parks, People & Wildlife green space strategy and the work already undertaken to promote biodiversity in the council’s own parks, gardens and cemeteries, watercourses, local Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), woodland, three Local Nature Reserves and other natural areas.f. The 16 Local Green Spaces already designated in the 2020 Cheltenham Plan safeguarding access to nature and ecosystem services for communities in the urban area[1]g. The example set by development plans like the Golden Valley supplementary planning document (SPD) which won the Building with Nature Policy Awardh. The establishment, with partners, of the Gloucestershire Nature & Climate Fund to help restore and enhance nature when business and developers cannot meet Biodiversity Net Gain goals entirely on sitei. The imminent recruitment of the town’s first borough ecologistj. The planned development this year of an Ecology, Nature Recovery & Biodiversity SPD for the whole town 3. Commits to embed nature’s recovery at the heart of all strategic plans, policy areas and decision-making processes, including the forthcoming Cheltenham, Gloucester & Tewkesbury Strategic & Local Plan 4. Having declared a climate emergency in 2019, commits to tackling the climate and nature emergencies together and investing in nature-based solutions to the challenges posed by climate change including mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to increased climate risk such as flooding and extreme summer heat. 5. Develop and agree on an evidence-based strategy and action plan for nature’s recovery and report on the progress made, building on the 2007 Cheltenham biodiversity audit and work already begun by the Gloucestershire Nature Partnership including the Gloucestershire Natural Capital Mapping Project, Gloucestershire’s Local Nature Recovery Network, identified Nature Improvement Area and local Strategic Nature Areas. 6. Set clear strategic and measurable goals for nature’s recovery by 2030, for example, covering the following areas:a. Contributing to the national commitment to protect 30% of land for nature by 2030, in line with the UK’s international commitment to biodiversity.b. Increasing space for wildlife and long-term maintenance and expansion of the Nature Recovery Network.c. Reducing pressure on wildlife.d. Improving doorstep access to nature, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds and those wards already identified as having the worst access to nature.e. Supporting communities and businesses to make better decisions and take action to support nature’s recovery. 7. Work with local communities and organisations, including with schools, colleges and young people, to achieve the strategic goals, particularly engaging with disadvantaged and underrepresented sections of society. 8. Work with local communities and organisations to achieve the strategic goals, particularlyengaging with disadvantaged and underrepresented sections of society.

— Council (Source)