This is only for people who live or work in the London Borough of Redbridge.

Secondly if you have already signed the petition on the Council's petition site or the paper version that is circulating in the Borough please DON'T sign this as well.

WHY ARE WE CAMPAGNING FOR THIS?

Worldwide nature is in decline due to humans. Secondly the UK is one of the most nature depleted  parts of the world see the latest state of NatureReport 

 

 

The previous Government recognised this to some extent by passing the Environment Act 2021 

The current  Labour government has got develop at any cost mantra and is putting nature more at risk with the Planning and Infrastructure Bill in Parliament currently.

Redbridge prides itself on being a green borough and is lucky to have a mosaic of green spaces and connecting private gardens. 

However this and species are potentially under threat from the develop at all cost mantra. We are therefore for the above reasons calling  on the Council to Declare a Nature Emergency! 

By adopting the following declaration.

In light of the twin crises of climate breakdown and biodiversity loss, the LB Redbridge hereby resolves to:

1.
Declare a nature emergency and develop a comprehensive plan to address it.
2.
Establish a climate and nature advisory committee to guide the cabinet and council officers in addressing these urgent issues.
3.
Commit to contributing to national level nature and climate targets and commitments.
4.
Include ecological impact assessments alongside climate and sustainability considerations in all committee and council reports.
5.
Make nature recovery a top strategic priority in planning policies and design guidelines for new developments. This includes:  
identifying suitable areas for habitat restoration, establishing ‘green allocated sites’ SINCs 
 
embedding Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) in the local plans and policies.
 
promoting Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), extending the minimum requirement from 10% to 20%. For large developments
 
minimising the impact of development on existing natural and semi-natural habitats.
 
enhancing access to nature-rich green spaces within a 10-minute walk for all residents.
 
requiring new developments to commit to a minimum of 30% tree canopy cover.
 
promoting tree equity by increasing tree canopy cover in existing housing estates where it is below the 16% urban average for England.
6.
Establish and support community and/or local authority-run plant & tree nurseries, increasing the supply of local saplings, plants & seeds.
7.
Prioritise the use of council landholdings, including council farmland, for habitat creation and restoration, to reach 30% of land managed for nature recovery.
8.
Employ specialist ecologists and tree officers to support nature protection and recovery.
9.
Establish ways to resource the training of educators at all levels to support the public appreciating/understanding nature and ecology in all age groups.
Finally, the London Borough of

Redbridge urges all stakeholders to come together to protect and restore our natural assets, recognising their intrinsic role in securing a sustainable future for our community

If you agree with this please sign the petition the aim to get 1500 signatures and trigger a full Council debate