Including the closely related terms ecological, species, and biodiversity net.
… habitats results in the direct loss of carbon within them, threatens the survival of our unique wildlife, and makes it harder for people to adapt to the impacts of climate change. On hearing evidence from the Environment and Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Committee, of habitat and species decline within the County, on 6th April 2022 Cabinet declared an Ecological Emergency. By protecting…
… in the Electricity chapter. Natural Environment New developments need land to be built on. This reduces the availability of land for other purposes such as tree planting, which is discussed in the Natural Environment chapter, however policy 26 of the County Durham Plan aims to ensure biodiversity net gain as part of development proposals. Transport and Connectivity New developments must include facilities…
… or have their say on what we’re doing as we work together towards a carbon neutral future. Addressing the Ecological Emergency County Durham’s natural environment has a vital role to play in tackling climate change. Where they are healthy, our ecosystems can take up and store a significant amount of carbon in soils, sediments, and vegetation. However, the destruction and degradation of our natural…
… and restoring County Durham’s natural and semi-natural habitats and managing them for nature, we can aid nature recovery and store more carbon. This will also deliver co-benefits for climate change adaptation, improved soil health, water management, and for our own health and wellbeing. Nature based solutions will therefore be implemented which address both the climate emergency and ecological emergency…
… and sustainability. It can help realise additional carbon savings from design aspects such as sustainable transport, soft landings, and embedded carbon/use of sustainable materials, which do not tend to be captured in more traditional design evaluation mechanisms. BREEAM also provides a complimentary route for broader Council priorities, relating to ecology and sustainable procurement for example…