Worcester City Council

Full Council notes:1. Recent reports from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform onBiodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) on global species and habitatloss which detail.2. The health of ecosystems on which we and all other species depend isdeteriorating more rapidly than ever.3. Over one million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction,many within decades.4. Transformative changes are needed to protect and restore nature.5. It is not too late to make a difference, if we start now at every level, fromlocal to global.6. Current Council strategies and plans are, unfortunately, not sufficientlyaddressing this emergency.7. Councils are responding by declaring a “Biodiversity Emergency” andcommitting resources to address this emergency.Full Council believes that:1. A healthy and biodiverse environment is necessary, for a sustainable future.2. All governments (national and local) have a duty to act; local governmentmust be proactive, for the benefit of their community.3. Bold action, is required, now to make a difference, globally and locally.5Full Council will:1. Declare a “Biodiversity Emergency.”2. Pledge to act during the first year of Motion being accepted, to secure futuremeasurable biodiversity net gain, for Worcester.3. Pledge to act during the second year of Motion being accepted and beyond, tosecure further biodiversity net gain for Worcester, based on assessment ofavailable scientific reports.4. Call on Westminster to provide powers and resources necessary to make netgains.5. Work with other governments and partners, locally, regionally, nationally andinternationally.6. Create a cross party steering group, to work with the EnvironmentalSustainability Officer and report to the Environment Committee, on actionsthe Council will take with key stakeholders to address this emergency. Thiswork will be led with the Chair of the Environment Committee.7. Strategy and plans to be formulated in conjunction with the declared ClimateEmergency. Prioritisation of sustainable land management, sympathetic towildlife. Prevention of wildlife habitats, being unnecessarily destroyed.Creation and care for wildlife-rich spaces, in every part of the city and acrossthe region.

— Full Council (Source)