How you can vote for wildlife

All local authorities in Gloucestershire have declared a climate emergency, with an ambition to be climate neutral by 2050 at the least (with some, like Stroud District Council, opting for the earlier target of 2030). Targets like this are great but ask candidates about how they will deliver against this promise – and what role natural solutions to climate change (like natural flood management) will play.

Two district authorities (Cotswold and Forest of Dean) have declared an ecological emergency. If you don’t live in these districts, find out more about what this means, how the promise will be delivered and what success has been achieved. If you live elsewhere in the county, encourage candidates to consider declaring an ecological emergency and setting and action plan and targets in response.

GWT believes that action to address the ecological emergency needs to include:

1. Champion the recovery of nature – Commit to supporting a strategic goal of connecting and protecting 30% of Gloucestershire for nature’s recovery by 2030.
2. Reduce pressure on wildlife (e.g. by committing to go pesticide free)

3. Commit to increasing space for wildlife and long-term maintenance and expansion of the Nature Recovery Network.
4. Recognise that the climate and ecological emergencies are intrinsically linked and that the impacts of the climate crisis drives nature’s decline, while investing in nature can help tackle the climate crisis.

Deciding where and how new homes and other developments take place is the responsibility of district councils – and can have a huge impact on the environment. Ask candidates about how they want to improve green infrastructure (which can include parks, street trees and other green spaces as well as wildlife refuges) and about their commitment to the Building with Nature standard, developed by GWT.

Councils support investment in infrastructure from roads and schools, to new commercial buildings and our urban centres. Ask how this can be done in a way that delivers gains for wildlife, rather than increasing harm. And ask how existing infrastructure is being maintained. Are road verges being managed for wildlife? Are pesticides and peat banned in the maintenance of green spaces?

The Environment Bill is currently being considered in Westminster and looks set to pass some new responsibilities to local councils. This includes setting goals for protecting and enhancing ecological networks – The Nature Recovery Network. How will they help us to achieve wildlife-rich land across 30% of Gloucestershire by 2030? Will they work to connect nature across political boundaries? What is their commitment to ensuring plans are evidence based by working with the Local Environmental Records Centre?