West Country leaders have pledged to “turn the tide” on nature’s decline as part of regional growth plans.
The joint commitment was made by the West of England mayor, Helen Godwin, along with the heads of Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire councils.
Speaking at Wild Summit - a new conference for the nature sector hosted at Bristol Beacon - Ms Godwin said environmental investment created “economic return” and was “among the many things” driving the region’s growth.
“As we turn the page in the West, and write our regional growth strategy, together we will back nature,” she said. “This is a smart investment in the prosperity, resilience, and wellbeing of communities across our area for years to come.”
The regional growth strategy will be published on September 24 and will explore how nature recovery can be integrated into housing, transport and infrastructure planning across the Bristol and Bath region.
According to the West of England Combined Authority (Weca), the proposals will unlock new investment, create green jobs and boost productivity and public health.
The strategy is being backed by the chiefs of Triodos Bank Ƶ and environmental coalition Wildlife and Countryside Link.
Councillor Mike Bell, leader of North Somerset Council, said: “Working in partnership is how we achieve lasting change for nature and our communities.
“We have just five years to turn the tide on nature’s decline — and that challenge can only be met if we work together.”
Councillor Sarah Warren, deputy leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said the “ambitious, collaborative approach” would help to create “a bigger footprint for nature” across the West Country, while Bristol's leader, Councillor Tony Dyer, promised to "empower communities" to take local action.
Those behind the strategy said it would also reduce costs, risks and delays to projects and developments by designing with nature from the outset, such as flood risk prevention and reduction through investment involving nature-based solutions.
Mark Clayton, chief executive of Triodos Bank Ƶ, added: “Whether it is peatland, wetlands, grasslands, or forests, there is huge potential to recognise the multiple impacts that nature-based projects can deliver whilst sequestering atmospheric emissions.
“Investing in nature can be a growth sector for the Ƶ, and particularly in the West, but only if we value nature as a backbone of our economy will we be able to realise the growth potential.”
