Oxford City Council

Monday 4th October 2021Reaffirms and expands its 2019 climate emergency declaration to declare a climate and ecological emergency to guide all future decision-making. Monday 3rd October 2022 - Addressing ecological emergency This Council notes that the establishment of an Oxfordshire Nature RecoveryNetwork was a key policy objective of the Oxfordshire 2050 Plan.This council resolves to:1. Reaffirm our commitment to addressing ecological emergency, recognising that:a. Nature is declining faster than at any previous time and urgent actionmust be taken to reverse this trendb. A thriving natural environment underpins a healthy, prosperous societyc. The nature and climate crises are intrinsically linked, and we cannottackle one without taking action on the other2. Call on Cabinet to ensure nature’s recovery is embedded at the heart of allstrategic plans, policy areas and decision-making processes3. Request that the Head of Corporate Strategy submits a report to Cabinet settingout options to develop and agree on an evidence-based strategy and action planto tackle the ecological emergency and report on the progress made, to sitalongside and connect to the Zero Carbon Oxford Action Plan, the previousBiodiversity Action Plan, and the Urban Forest Strategy, as well as linking toOxfordshire-level plans like the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.a. The action plan must include ambitious targets and strategic goals torestore nature in Oxford, such as:i. Committing to protecting and enhancing the biodiversity of landowned or managed by the City Council through conserving habitatsfor nature across our parks and nature reserves, ensuring thatcommunity green spaces are safeguarded for future generationsand adopting a tree-first policy.ii. Promoting, expanding and maintaining a Nature Recovery Networkin Oxford as part of a broader Nature Recovery Network forOxfordshire.iii. Ensuring everyone living in Oxford has doorstep access to natureiv. Commit to tackling the climate and ecological emergenciestogether by investing in local nature-based solutions to climatechange.v. A commitment to annually report on progress on the action plan toScrutiny Committee4. Work with local communities and organisations to achieve nature’s recovery,particularly engaging with disadvantaged and underrepresented groups inOxford.

— Full Council (Source)