Climate and nature emergency declared for New Forest

Councillors agreed to make the declaration at its full council meeting on Monday and follows on from discussions held by the cabinet on October 6 recommending the motion to declare a climate emergency.

Speaking at the meeting in October, NFDC leader Cllr Edward Heron, said: “In itself, declaring a climate emergency does nothing, it's what you then do. But this is a clear signal that we consider it of such importance that we will be building on the climate change actions already underway and taking a more fundamental look at our activities, with the target of reducing carbon emissions along with an ambitious action plan being put in place to measure annual district-wide progress.”

He added: “We have a strong track record in our sustainability and environment stewardship. We have engaged in climate change actions for many years and, through policies and activities, have made the district more resilient, reduced carbon emissions, created space for nature, and provided the infrastructure to enable others to make choices that reduce emissions.

"Going forward, we will be taking more actions in every area of our day-to-day activities, in our operations, our civic buildings and depots, improving our natural environment to support nature recovery, as well as gaining a better understanding and measurement of what the issues are and what our actions are achieving."

A Sustainability Advisory Member Panel will set actions to address the climate and nature emergency and will present a report in February 2022.

During the council's meeting yesterday, the full council gave its support to a petition calling for Average Speed cameras on Roger Penny Way to help reduce animal road deaths involving commoning stock. 

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