Following a Full Council meeting on Wednesday 18 June, Councillors passed a motion to declare a nature emergency as it recognised the local, national and international pressures placed on flora, fauna and habitats.
Already committed to action via a Biodiversity strategy launched this year to help address opportunities for nature recovery, enhancement and protection, the motion was raised by the Cabinet Lead for Climate Emergency, Environment & Water Quality, Councillor Grainne Rason.
As part of the nature emergency motion, Councillors also approved supporting work to embed nature recovery, adopting nature-based solutions where viable, supporting habitat restoration, improving river health, promoting best practice and expanding opportunities for residents to access the borough’s natural assets.
Following the motion’s adoption, Councillor Rason said “I’m delighted to see Councillors recognise the importance of our natural landscape and the role we must play to protect and improve it. The council is already working hard in a number of ways to support, manage and enhance the borough’s natural assets – be it through the implementation of our Biodiversity strategy, or through best practices for planning reflected in our emerging Local Plan. Cherishing the natural assets we have and ensuring their value is recognised throughout future decisions, policies and strategies made by the council is a further – and most welcome - sign of commitment.”
To find out more about the council’s commitment to the environment, view the Climate and Biodiversity strategies at https://www.havant.gov.uk/climate-and-biodiversity-strategies .