Councillor Tim Hoskin, East Herts Executive Member for Environmental Sustainability said: “Evidence shows that the natural world is under threat. Across Hertfordshire, 76 species are known to have become extinct over the last fifty years, with insects particularly affected. With a third of our food crops pollinated by insects, and much of our wildlife reliant on insects for food, it’s essential we take action now to protect our critical natural capital and drive the recovery of biodiversity.
“The motion to declare an Ecological and Biodiversity Crisis passed with unanimous cross-party support, underlining the council’s full commitment to tackling this emergency. We will work with residents in our rural and urban communities, businesses, farmers and landowners to protect precious species, habitats and ecosystems.”
Actions arising from the Ecological and Biodiversity Crisis declaration include:
• Embedding nature’s recovery at the heart of the council’s strategic plans, policy areas, service contracting and decision-making processes
• Supporting the goal defined by the Wildlife Trust to protect 30% of land for nature by 2030
• Setting up a Biodiversity Forum to examine the ecological and biodiversity needs of the district and to identify action which could be taken
• Prioritising investment in nature-based solutions to climate change
This will build on steps already taken to support the recovery of diversity in East Herts. These include:
• Incorporating Biodiversity Net Gain requirements, introduced by the Biodiversity Duty of the Environment Act 2021, into planning requirements
• Contributing to the Hertfordshire Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership’s Biodiversity Action Plan;
• Working with partners across the county on the Local Nature Recovery Strategy
