Solihull Council has made further progress in boosting Solihull’s natural environment with the adoption of a new natural capital investment strategy and delivery plan at the council’s climate change and planning decision session.
The Solihull Natural Capital Investment Strategy (NCIS) and Delivery Plan provides a framework for people from all sectors to enjoy the benefits of the natural environment while investing in its protection. It sets out a series of actions from assessing the natural capital of all relevant council assets, especially parks and open spaces, to producing a natural capital database including an infrastructure assets map. It also sets out how the council will work in partnership with other organisations, partners, communities and businesses to protect, restore, enhance and create natural capital resources, improving air quality and reducing net carbon emissions in the borough.
Alongside the Solihull NCIS and Delivery Plan, the council also endorsed regional work on the Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull Natural Capital Investment Strategy and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Warwickshire County Council Local Nature Recovery Strategies.
Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Planning, Cllr Andy Mackiewicz, said: “The natural environment is a vital part of Solihull and we are lucky to have a wide range of habitats within our borough, from rivers, streams and canals to ancient woodlands and wildflower-rich grasslands.
“The Solihull natural capital investment strategy recognises the value of the natural environment and will help us to make the right decisions about how to protect, conserve, restore and enhance these valuable assets. It also begins to address the challenges ahead as we face the impacts of climate change on a local scale within our borough and tackle the biodiversity crisis.
“The strategy and delivery plan summarises the council’s current activity and details how we will increase our understanding of natural capital and embed its value across all aspects of the council’s work. It also sets out how we can identify opportunities to increase its value and how to coordinate efforts across the council and with neighbouring authorities, businesses, communities, statutory agencies and third sector organisations. Please visit the Your Future Solihull web pages to find out how you can work with us on a range of environmental issues.”
To see Solihull’s NCIS and Delivery Plan and the Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull draft NCIS please visit Your future Solihull - Our policies | solihull.gov.uk
To find out more about Solihull’s natural environment initiatives and how to get involved please visit the Your Future Solihull web pages - https://www.solihull.gov.uk/your-future-solihull