What’s happening in your area for Climate and Nature?
Introduction
On the 29th April 2019 Welsh government declared a Climate emergency urging other organisations across Wales to take action to address what is described as the biggest threat humanity has ever faced.
But reducing carbon emissions alone is not enough – we need nature’s help, but our natural environment is in crisis! 17% of 3,902 species studied in Wales are at risk of extinction, with many others in decline. On June 30th 2021, Wales was one of the first countries in the world to declare a nature emergency.
Both the nature and climate emergencies we face are closely linked and has been caused by things like releasing harmful carbon emissions, destroying natural habitats and using up too many natural resources.
Local authorities across Gwent are responding to these through policy, partnership working and community action in the following areas.
- Reducing carbon
Every local authority in Gwent has committed to reducing carbon emissions with each organisation aiming to reach Net Zero by 2030 in line with the Welsh Government’s ambitions for a carbon neutral public sector by 2030. Commitment to net zero for each county has also been made and plans are being developed to achieve this by 2050.Carbon emission reductions are being addressed through transport, energy, housing, goods and services. Each authority has produced a Local Area Energy Plan outlining potential scenarios for future Net Zero energy systems. Opportunities to off set emissions are being made through tree planting and green infrastructure within each authority. Wider commitment to net zero for each county as a whole by 2050 has been made and plans are being developed to demonstrate how this could be achieved.
- Adapting and preparing for the effects of climate change
Even if we significantly reduce carbon emissions, some changes to the climate will still happen – adaptation is essential to manage these impacts. This is being addressed by a range of different teams across the counties using green and blue infrastructure (also known as nature based solutions). This includes building spaces that include things like green roofs, green walls and rain gardens that hold water to slow the flow into our rivers and seas, help to cool spaces in the summer and keep heat in in the winter as well as providing vital spaces for nature and people to thrive.
- Protecting and improving nature
Each area of Gwent is supporting nature to recover and protecting it in the future. Local nature partnerships bring together the right organisations and groups to make positive steps towards addressing the nature emergency.
- Partnerships
Working together is key to address both the climate and nature emergencies faced. The Gwent Public Services Board brings public bodies together to work to improve the economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of Gwent. They are responsible, under the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act, for overseeing the development of the new Local Wellbeing Plan.
- Get involved
There are lots of ways to get involved from volunteering in green spaces to sharing your experiences to help develop relevant local policies.
Click on your local authority area to find out more:
Blaenau Gwent
Blaenau Gwent declared a Climate emergency in September 2020 at the same time they adopted their decarbonisation plan.
1. Reducing carbon
2. Adapting and preparing for the effects of climate change
Green Infrastructure team focus on nature-based solutions to adapt to the effects of climate change
3. Protecting and improving nature
4. Partnerships
5. Get involved
Climate assembly Blaenau Gwent Climate Assembly | Blaenau Gwent CBC
Caerphilly
In June 2019 Caerphilly County Borough Council declared a Climate Emergency and committed to making Caerphilly County Borough Council a net zero carbon local authority by 2030.
1. Reducing carbon:
The organisational decarbonisation strategy is divided into four pillars:
- REDUCE – Reducing the amount of energy we use
- PRODUCE – Generating our own ‘green’ electricity and heat
- OFFSET – Offsetting any carbon emissions
- BUY – Everything we purchase has embedded carbon associated with it and this will need to be considered in the procurement process
The strategy aligns closely with financial savings and environmental impact, emphasising both mitigation and adaptation measures.
There are three working groups coordinating and delivering projects focused on:
- Operational Emissions – Reducing emissions produced from council operations and producing renewable energy.
- Offset – Identifying opportunities for offsetting and nature recovery across the council estate.
- Buy – Embedding low carbon procurement practices into the organisation and working regionally to measure and reduce emissions from public sector procurement.
More information can be found here What is CCBC doing? – Caerphilly County Borough
2. Adapting and preparing for the effects of climate change:
Several years ago, the team conducted extensive work on climate change adaptation. Risk assessments were carried out, and the findings were integrated into various service areas. For example:
- Parks and Countryside: The tree team surveys and manages trees to reduce or remove those at risk of falling in high winds.
- Engineers: Increased focus on gully cleaners to prevent localized flooding from blocked drains.
The full Local Climate Impacts Profile can be found here Local Climate Impacts Profile Appendix 1.pdf
3. Protecting and improving nature:
- This area is managed by the Countryside team.
- Initiatives related to green infrastructure, the Gwent Green Grid, and biodiversity are managed by this team.
- They work closely with the decarbonisation team due to the interconnectedness of climate and nature emergencies.
More information can be found here home | Your Green Spaces
4. Partnerships
Through the Gwent Public Services Board Caerphilly Local Delivery Group, a strategy for achieving net zero across the county borough by 2050 has been developed and approved.
The strategy focuses on: Energy, Buildings, Organisations, Waste & the Circular Economy, Agriculture & Land Use and Travel. The LDG are now focused on developing an accompanying action plan for this strategy.
The strategy and more information can be found here Net Zero Carbon: a 2050 Strategy – Caerphilly Local Delivery Group
Cardiff Capital Region (CCR): Funding for electric vehicle projects and coordination of local area energy plans.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW): Working together on offsetting, tree planting, and ecological aspects.
5. Get involved
Get involved with annual tree planting events held in March within the county borough. Opportunities are listed on the Volunteering Wales website – Welcome – Volunteering Wales
Climate Action Caerphilly are a grassroots community group established in 2020 with a mission to improve the environment in Caerphilly and address the global climate emergency. More information on who they are and how you can get involved can be found here Caerphilly Climate Action | Caerphilly, UK
Find more information on how you can work with us to take action on climate change here – What can I do? – Caerphilly County Borough
Monmouthshire
In 2019 Monmouthshire County Council declared a climate emergency. The Council are working hard to reduce our contribution to climate change, by reducing our energy use, changing to electric vehicles and installing solar panels, as well as working with communities to reduce carbon emissions across the county. We also need to be able to adapt to the impacts that climate change is already having. Climate & Nature Emergency – Monmouthshire
The following webpages and documents are available to download for more information:
Climate and Nature Emergency Strategy
1. Reducing carbon:
2. Adapting and preparing for the effects of climate change:
3. Protecting and improving nature:
4. Partnerships
5. Get involved
Monmouthshire Community Climate Champions is a network of individuals, voluntary groups and other organisations all working hard to improve sustainability and tackle climate change in their communities. To join quarterly online meetings and get occasional emails with useful information on climate change, contact hazelclatworthy@monmouthshire.gov.uk
Newport
Newport City Council passed a motion in November 2021 declaring a climate emergency and outlining the ambitions of the council to tackle climate change. Climate change | Newport City Council
1. Reducing carbon:
The Climate change plan | Newport City Council focuses on the following 6 themes:
- Organisational Leadership & Culture
- Our Buildings
- Our Land
- Transport & Mobility
- The Goods & Services we Procure
- Our Wider Role
2. Adapting and preparing for the effects of climate change
NCC is taking steps to adapt to a changing climate, including the installation of Green Infrastructure (GI) across the city. GI, such as raingardens, tree pits and planters, not only help to alleviate urban flooding by locking away excess rainwater, they also provide biodiversity benefits by providing habitats and connecting green spaces across the city.
3. Protecting and improving nature:
4. Partnerships
Networks
- Newport Climate Champions
Viewed as an overarching network, the Newport Climate Champions Network covers all action related to climate change such as renewable energy, active travel, waste and more. The network meets quarterly in a combination of in person and online meetings. The network is hosted by Newport City Council. Please contact netzero@newport.gov.uk for more information.
- Newport Environment Network
The Newport Environment Network aims to maintain, improve, and make the best use of green spaces across Newport whilst promoting and facilitating safety, accessibility, and wellbeing. The network meets quarterly in a combination of in person and online meetings. The network is hosted by Newport City Council. Please contact netzero@newport.gov.uk for more information.
- Local Nature Partnership
The Newport Local Nature Partnership has been formed to operate across the local authority area to share best practice and resources to maximise benefits for people and wildlife focusing on biodiversity enhancement and preservation. The network is hosted by Newport City Council. Find out more here – Wales Biodiversity Partnership – Newport.
- Circular Newport Network
The Circular Newport Network is part of the Newport Circular Economy Project, a 3-year collaboration between Maindee Unlimited, Wastesavers Charitable Trust, Benthyg Cymru and RE:MAKE Newport. This project is all about finding local solutions to the problem of waste, which contributes to the climate emergency. The network is hosted by Maindee Unlimited. Find out more here – Newport Circular Economy Project | Maindee.As well as Gwent Green Grid, Newport also work with other regional partners such as Cardiff Capital Region and Natural Resources Wales on a range of projects from Electric Vehicle Infrastructure to community allotments.
5. Get involved
There are so many opportunities in Newport to get involved in climate action, ranging from working with local groups, organisations and businesses to events, being part of a network, taking part in initiatives and activities available and more.
You can find events via What’s On Newport – What’s on in Newport – Events.
Find out more via the Newport City Council website – Climate change | Newport City Council.
The networks linked to above also welcome members from the public, third and private sectors in Newport alongside volunteers interested in positive climate and nature action. The networks aim to provide a space for networking, feature guest speakers and workshops in addition to a space to raise concerns and suggestions, disseminate news, funding opportunities, projects and events.
Torfaen
In June 2019 the Council passed a motion to declare a climate emergency, acknowledging the real threat that climate change poses to both current and future generations. Since then, the Council has also declared a nature emergency to recognise the serious threat of declining biodiversity.
1. Reducing carbon:
2. Adapting and preparing for the effects of climate change:
3. Protecting and improving nature:
4. Partnerships
5. Get involved
Regional
