Environmental strategies
Our environmental policy outlines our commitment to protect and enhance the local environment.
We have the following strategies and policies relating the environment and climate change.
Climate and nature emergency
We declared a climate emergency on 17 July 2019. This means that the global climate is in a state of breakdown and this is an emergency.
Our climate and nature emergency strategy aims to:
- make South Gloucestershire carbon neutral
- maximise renewable energy
- prepare for a changing climate
- protect nature and increase biodiversity
- plant trees to double tree canopy cover in our area
Green infrastructure
Our Green Infrastructure Strategy explains why we need to improve the network of green spaces and water courses (green infrastructure) across our area, and the action we plan to take.
It shows how we will link our work to regional, national, and global commitments to protect the environment and how important that is.
We strive to achieve:
- protected and restored nature
- greater resilience to the changing climate
- sustainable water management
- improved health and wellbeing for all
- sustainable places
- valued healthy landscapes
- sustainable and local food production
- a green and resilient economy
- stronger partnerships
These outcomes contribute to the:
- West of England Joint Green Infrastructure Strategy 2020 (JGIS)
- Climate Emergency Strategy
- Council Plan 2024-2028
Related policies
Our ragwort policy sets out how we how assess, and where appropriate, control the spread of ragwort.
Our plant biosecurity policy outlines our plans to improve plant biosecurity through reducing the spread of invasive non-native plant species, injurious weeds, and plant diseases across open spaces owned or managed by us.
Our pesticides policy sets out when we use pesticides and the steps we are taking to reduce our use of them. We have also produced a pollinator action plan to make more space for pollinators by allowing more wild plants to grow on land owned or managed by us.
Waste
Our waste strategy sets out our plans for the service. It makes sure that we continue to reach our recycling targets and provide a service focused on waste prevention and recycling more.