Ask Redbridge Council to Declare a Nature Emergency

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Ask Redbridge Council to Declare a Nature Emergency

Redbridge Council

Generic family on path in woodland not unlike Epping Forest

Unknown-source-possibly-AI

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

But without measures from the Council to protect them, our green and natural spaces are currently open to threats from developers. It's time for our council to declare a nature emergency, to ensure that the proper protections are put in place to protect our wildlife and ensure that people have access to nature in their communities.

We need 1,500 signatures in order for Redbridge Council to debate a motion for declaring a nature emergency.

Sign our petition today* to help put the pressure on the local council to do the right thing and protect nature in Redbridge now and for generations to come.

*Who can sign? Anyone who lives, works or is in full-time education within the borough of Redbridge, regardless of age (that is, under-18s can sign). If you work or study in Redbridge, but don't live within the borough, please use the postcode for your place of work or study. This is a formal petition to the council - please don't sign if you've already signed the petition on Changes.org or a WCA stall.

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Wanstead Climate Action

To: Redbridge Council
From: [Your Name]

In light of the twin crises of climate breakdown and biodiversity loss, the LB Redbridge should hereby resolve 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 must urge all stakeholders to come together to protect and restore our natural assets, recognising their intrinsic role in securing a sustainable future for our community.