Green Group member motion

Globally and in the UK we are in the midst of an ecological emergency. Nature is declining faster than at any time in our history - 41% of UK species have seen populations decrease since 1970, with 15% of British species currently at risk of extinction^[1]. These changes are being exacerbated by climate change, which is hindering nature’s ability to mitigate due to warming temperatures and increasingly volatile weather. We must take action, right now, if we are to save our wildlife and protect the planet.

This council resolves to:

1. Declare that we are experiencing an ecological emergency, recognising that:
   1. Nature is declining faster than at any previous time and urgent action must be taken to reverse this trend
   2. A thriving natural environment underpins a healthy, prosperous society
   3. The nature and climate crises are intrinsically linked, and we cannot tackle one without taking action on the other
2. Call on Cabinet to ensure nature’s recovery is embedded at the heart of all strategic plans, policy areas and decision-making processes
3. Request that the Head of Corporate Strategy submits a report to Cabinet setting out options to develop and agree on an evidence-based strategy and action plan to tackle the ecological emergency and report on the progress made, to sit alongside and connect to the Zero Carbon Oxford Action Plan, the previous Biodiversity Action Plan, and the Urban Forest Strategy, as well as linking to Oxfordshire-level plans like the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
   1. The action plan must include ambitious targets and strategic goals to restore nature in Oxford, such as:
      1. Committing to protect 30% of land owned or managed by the City Council for nature by 2030, in line with national and international commitments to biodiversity^[2].
      2. Promoting, expanding and maintaining a Nature Recovery Network in Oxford.
      3. Ensuring everyone living in Oxford has doorstep access to nature
      4. Commit to tackling the climate and ecological emergencies together by investing in local nature-based solutions to climate change.
      5. A commitment to annually report on progress on the action plan to Scrutiny Committee

4.    Work with local communities and organisations to achieve nature’s recovery, particularly engaging with disadvantaged and underrepresented groups in Oxford.

Cllr Jarvis, seconded by Cllr Kerr, proposed the submitted motion as set out in the agenda and briefing note.

Cllr Hunt, seconded by Cllr Thomas, proposed the amendment as set out in the briefing note.

Cllr Thomas proposed a second amendment submitted in accordance with the provisions set out in Oxford City Council’s Constitution Part 11.18(f) which states that; ‘Minor technical or limited wording amendments may be submitted during the meeting but must be written down and circulated’.  Copies of the second amendment were circulated at the meeting and a copy is set out in the minute pack.

Council debated the motion and amendment. Following debate, and on being put to the vote, the amended motion was agreed.

Council debated the amended motion, as amended.  Following debate, and on being put to the vote, the amended motion, as amended was agreed.

On being put to the vote the amended motion, as amended was then agreed.

Council resolved to adopt the following motion:

Addressing ecological emergency

Globally and in the UK we are in the midst of an ecological emergency. Nature is declining faster than at any time in our history - 41% of UK species have seen populations decrease since 1970, with 15% of British species currently at risk of extinction^[1]. These changes are being exacerbated by climate change, which is hindering nature’s ability to mitigate due to warming temperatures and increasingly volatile weather. We must take action, right now, if we are to save our wildlife and protect the planet.

This Council notes that the establishment of an Oxfordshire Nature Recovery Network was a key policy objective of the Oxfordshire 2050 Plan.

This council resolves to:

1. Reaffirm our commitment to addressing ecological emergency, recognising that:
   1. Nature is declining faster than at any previous time and urgent action must be taken to reverse this trend
   2. A thriving natural environment underpins a healthy, prosperous society
   3. The nature and climate crises are intrinsically linked, and we cannot tackle one without taking action on the other
2. Call on Cabinet to ensure nature’s recovery is embedded at the heart of all strategic plans, policy areas and decision-making processes
3. Request that the Head of Corporate Strategy submits a report to Cabinet setting out options to develop and agree on an evidence-based strategy and action plan to tackle the ecological emergency and report on the progress made, to sit alongside and connect to the Zero Carbon Oxford Action Plan, the previous Biodiversity Action Plan, and the Urban Forest Strategy, as well as linking to Oxfordshire-level plans like the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
   1. The action plan must include ambitious targets and strategic goals to restore nature in Oxford, such as:
      1. Committing to protecting and enhancing the biodiversity of land owned or managed by the City Council through conserving habitats for nature across our parks and nature reserves, ensuring that community green spaces are safeguarded for future generations and adopting a tree-first policy.
      2. Promoting, expanding and maintaining a Nature Recovery Network in Oxford as part of a broader Nature Recovery Network for Oxfordshire.
      3. Ensuring everyone living in Oxford has doorstep access to nature
      4. Commit to tackling the climate and ecological emergencies together by investing in local nature-based solutions to climate change.
      5. A commitment to annually report on progress on the action plan to Scrutiny Committee
4. Work with local communities and organisations to achieve nature’s recovery, particularly engaging with disadvantaged and underrepresented groups in Oxford.