South Oxfordshire District Council

Council resolves to: Declare an ecological emergencyRename CEAC the Climate and Ecological Emergencies Advisory Committee, to help Cabinet and council officers address these twin emergenciesAdd ecological impact implications alongside those for climate and sustainability in committee and council reports.Ensure that addressing the climate and ecological emergencies and nature recovery are considered as strategic priorities for planning policies and design guides for new development, including master-planning of sites, by identifying appropriate areas for habitat restoration and biodiversity net gain and ensuring that development limits impact on existing habitats in its process, whilst also working on the principle of increasing equality of access for people to natural, green spacesEstablish a Biodiversity Steering Group involving both key officers and members to oversee and develop the Councils approach to nature protection and recoverySet measurable targets and standards for biodiversity increase, in both species and quantities, seeking also to increase community engagementWork with our partners to establish a Local Nature Partnership for Oxfordshire as soon as possible, in keeping with the urgency of this declarationWork with our partners to develop Nature Recovery Networks and Nature Recovery Strategy for Oxfordshire, again in keeping with the urgency of this declarationLook for opportunities to work in partnership with local charities and environmental organisations to deliver nature recovery in South OxfordshireDevelop a district wide Tree Planting Policy and Strategy, including having Member Tree Champions, to support nature protection and recovery and carbon sequestrationBuild on the work of the Thames Champion to improve the ecology of the Thames and its banks and flood plains, a hugely important habitat in our DistrictEnsure the Strategic Property Review considers opportunities for biodiversity enhancements and tree planting on Council landholdingsInvestigate new approaches to nature recovery such as habitat banking that deliver biodiversity objectives and provide new investment opportunities Embed climate action and ecological initiatives within all council work areas, including COVID-19 recovery projects and programmesWrite to all South Oxfordshire’s MPs urging them to support the Climate and Ecological Bill, a private member’s bill, in keeping with the declarations of this Council.

— Full Council (Source)