Tag: biodiversity

The housebuilding industry can lead the way on biodiversity

A new guide highlights that biodiversity should be considered at the earliest stages of planning new home developments to encourage wildlife and help reverse habitat decline.

Climate change and the decline of wildlife are the great challenges of our time which, combined with Government demands for greatly increased housing supply, are creating a balancing act which housebuilders and developers must consider in all its aspects. Sustainability must be a key consideration in housing developments ensuring a positive impact on wildlife and the adoption of nature-based solutions.

Much of the focus on sustainable housing in recent years has been in reducing carbon emissions, but the coronavirus pandemic has placed emphasis on caring for local wildlife.

·       The majority of house-buyers say the pandemic has highlighted the need for more nature-rich green space.

·       The UK Prime Minister recently said he will make “tackling climate change and biodiversity loss” the government’s “number one international priority”.

58% of UK species have declined over the last 50 years, and urbanisation is considered one of the key reasons why. 

The National House Building Council (NHBC) Foundation has partnered with the RSPB and Barratt Developments to produce guidance on how the housebuilding industry can incorporate green infrastructure into new build homes and enhance and protect biodiversity within developments to help deliver wider public health benefits.

The new report Biodiversity in new housing developments: creating wildlife-friendly communities has just been launchedproviding guidance on planning for beautiful places, key topics include:

·       Implementing Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) which mimic natural processes in managing rainfall through the use of landscape form and vegetation

·       Installing roost bricks for bats and designing lighting plans in a bat-friendly way

·       Putting in bird nest bricks that provide permanent nest features for declining species such as swifts

·       Ensuring boundaries enable hedgehogs to move freely through a housing development.

Beccy Speight, CEO, RSPB said: “The housebuilding industry is uniquely placed in having an opportunity to create not just sustainable houses, but new, sustainable communities, where people thrive alongside wildlife.

“This guide is a great introduction to the principles and practicalities of creating wildlife-friendly communities and a great addition to the sustainable housing toolkit.

“I hope that the industry will embrace it and help to drive positive change. We all have our part to play as we seek to revive our world.”

Richard Smith, NHBC’s Head of Standards, Innovation and Research said: “In a year so focused on health, this report is a timely reminder of the many benefits nature can provide when successfully integrated into new homes and developments.

“As we head towards COP26, we want to support those in the housing and construction sector to think more about how they can better integrate biodiversity and climate resilience into new home developments to help to achieve the country’s climate change goals and improve health and wellbeing in local communities.

“Biodiversity Net Gain will soon become mandatory in England so there’s no excuse not to start looking at these issues now.”

NHS Lothian going greener

NHS Lothian is the first health board in Scotland to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the biodiversity of the green spaces in its estate. The move is part of an ambitious plan to reduce the health board’s overall carbon footprint and to use its green spaces to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities it serves.

Working with partners Greenspace Scotland, in a project funded by Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation, NHS Lothian commissioned research consultants Natural Capital Solutions to conduct a Biodiversity Audit and Climate Change Assessment.

This Audit will help NHS Lothian realise the full potential of its estate, not only as an environmental asset but also as an amenity offering heath benefits to the community.  

This work also provides NHS Lothian with a means of identifying how best to manage its green spaces to meet its ambitious sustainability goals and commitments.

Dr Jane Hopton, Programme Director and Sustainability Lead for NHS Lothian, said: “Climate change affects not only our environment but also the health of our patients and communities. 

“Our green spaces make an important contribution to improving air quality, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the air which in turn is better for our health. 

“Making the most of our green spaces is not simply  a ‘nice thing to do’, it is an important part of our sustainability plan and sits alongside other priorities such as  reducing emissions associated with medical gases, transport and travel, reducing waste and improving our energy-use.”

With 81 hectares of green space across 94 sites, NHS Lothian’s estate provides habitats for diverse species. The plants, trees, hedges and scrub that are grown on these green spaces capture carbon from the atmosphere, offsetting human emissions and cleaning the air of pollution from nearby roads and car parks.

The green landscape can also be used for nature-based health interventions such as gardening and walking activities, helping to improve the lives of NHS patients and staff.

Dr Hopton added: “There is growing evidence of the positive impact of green spaces and natural environments on our health.

“Research from the World Health Organisation and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence shows contact with nature and access to greenspace is particularly good for our mental health and wellbeing.

“This Biodiversity Audit provides a great opportunity to explore ways to unlock these benefits for more people.”

Ian Mackenzie, Green Health Programme Manager at Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation, said: “Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation was delighted to work together with NHS Lothian, Natural Capital Solutions and Greenspace Scotland on this Biodiversity Audit.

“The importance of biodiversity and natural capital in delivering health benefits is at the core of the Foundation’s Green Health Strategy.

“As a result of the pandemic, there has been a re-appreciation of outdoor space and the value it brings, and this report helps recognise how NHS Lothian’s estate can support a green recovery.”

Alison Holt, Director of Natural Capital Solutions, said: “This project has delivered the tools to predict how changes to the greenspaces and built environment of the NHS Lothian estate, impacts on its ability to reduce carbon emissions, clean the air and improve physical and mental health.

“A strategy on how to increase the provision of these important public benefits across the estate can now be created. The NHS Lothian has set a precedent for other health boards in Scotland, and beyond.”

Edinburgh to gain two new Local Nature Reserves

Wester Craiglockhart Hill and Little France Park are both set to become nature reserves after plans were approved by the Culture and Communities Committee yesterday.

A Local Nature Reserve (LNR) is an area of land declared by a local authority because of its special nature interest and/or educational value. It is hoped the status, which is already held by seven sites across the Capital, will add more weight to funding bids and offer extra protection from future development.

The two sites, which cover over 55 hectares of land between them, are owned and run by the Council and managed by the Parks, Greenspace and Cemeteries Service in partnership with Friends of Parks groups and other partner organisations. 

Councillor Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities Convener said: “Edinburgh is already a wonderfully green city and we want to ensure it remains that way for generations to come.

“There are many benefits that come with designating these parks as LNRs and there is no doubt that the ongoing pandemic has reinforced how vital access to greenspaces is to us all. The declaration of these as LNRs means that they are not just protected but they will be managed and improved with the conservation of nature as a priority.”

Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan, Culture and Communities Vice Convener said: “I’m delighted that we are able to designate these two new sites as local nature reserves. These are areas of natural beauty, rich in wildlife habitats and eco systems, and it is important that we recognise these and look after them for everyone to enjoy.

“We will be working closely with a range of partners and enthusiastic friends groups to preserve these important areas for the benefit of our future generations.”

The selection and designation of LNRs is in accordance with the Edinburgh Biodiversity Action Plan. The Scottish Biodiversity Duty section of the plan contains an action to ‘Continue a programme of developing and designating Local Sites’.

Edinburgh Declaration agreed

Calls for global biodiversity action at all levels

The Scottish Government is leading a global push to ensure action is taken at all levels to protect biodiversity.

A statement of intent, known as The Edinburgh Declaration, has been agreed between subnational, regional and local governments across the world and calls on the Convention on Biodiversity to take bold action to halt biodiversity loss. 

It also calls for greater prominence be given to the role subnational governments, cities and local authorities play in delivering a new global framework of targets, set to be agreed next year.

The Programme for Government 2019/20 committed to take account of the new post-2020 international biodiversity framework as part of work to address biodiversity loss.

The Edinburgh Declaration is the result of a year-long collaboration across international governments and organisations. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Scotland’s commitment to host and lead an international workshop to drive these discussions moved to a ground-breaking online format over the summer.

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been an unprecedented global crisis which has fundamentally changed every aspect of our lives. But the twin challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change have not gone away – far from it – and must be central to our green recovery.

“Whilst Scotland’s progress on the current internationally-agreed biodiversity targets compares favourably with the global picture, it is concerning that, at an international level, none of these targets have been fully met.

“It is my firm belief – one shared by all signatories of the Edinburgh Declaration – that State-led action alone is not sufficient to put us on a path to recovery, achieving what is required to protect biodiversity across the globe.

“The Edinburgh Declaration makes it clear that the Scottish Government, together with subnational governments, cities and local authorities across the world, stand ready to meet the challenge of delivering the post-2020 global biodiversity framework and play a stronger role in its implementation.”

Chief Executive of NatureScot Francesca Osowska said: “The Edinburgh Declaration puts Scotland on the international stage, a clear sign of our intent to tackle biodiversity loss and protect nature.  

“This isn’t just about conservation, enriching our nature is also part of the solution to the climate emergency and is a vital part of a green recovery from Covid-19.

“Global targets for nature and climate change aren’t just set by nation states – it also needs the world’s subnational governments, agencies – and all of us – to push for transformational change.”

The Edinburgh Declaration is available to view on the Scottish Government website.

The Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is provisionally due to take place in China from 17-30 May 2021.

It is anticipated that a final agreement on a post-2020 global biodiversity framework will be agreed at COP 15 to support the CBD’s 2050 vision of “living in harmony with nature”.

Director of Science at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Professor Pete Hollingsworth said: “Addressing the biodiversity crisis requires transformative change in how people co-exist with nature.

“The Edinburgh Declaration, focusing on the role of subnational governments, cities and regions is important, as it is at these levels where there is vital expertise and understanding of the practicalities of on-the-ground action, and how best to align the conservation of biodiversity with day-to-day life and the needs of local communities.”

Biodiversity funding for The Wild Line

Four projects from across the country have been confirmed as the first recipients of Scottish Natural Heritage’s Biodiversity Challenge Fund, sharing a total of £1.8 million over a two-year period.  One of them is The Wild Line, centred on a strip of Edinburgh’s coastline.

The projects will take practical steps to improve natural habitats, safeguard plant and animal species and improve biodiversity.

Biodiversity is all the different types of animals, plants and other organisms in our natural world. People know that climate change is a big issue but not as many know that nature – and biodiversity loss – is also a global and generational threat to human well-being. However, enhancing our nature is also recognised as being part of the solution to the climate emergency.

The funding will support large-scale projects that aim to deliver rapid change on the ground to help our most at-risk habitats and species, including mammals and birds, connect existing nature reserves and tackle non-native invasive species.

Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon visited a newly funded project – The Wild Line – in Edinburgh. The Wild Line is a strip of wilderness that edges the land and the sea which has become increasingly narrow due to urban development.

To boost nature and resilience to climate change, a network of species rich wildflower meadows to provide habitats for pollinators will be created. On shore retrofitting artificial habitats will enhance sea defences and protect people and nature against sea level rises providing homes for intertidal species, and invasive species, which outcompete native ones, will be removed.

Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment Mairi Gougeon said: “I am delighted that, through the Biodiversity Challenge Fund, the Scottish Government and SNH can support these fantastic projects across the country to safeguard some of our most vulnerable species and habitats, and protect them from invasive species.

Their success will play a crucial role in our efforts to improve nature and help Scotland meet its international biodiversity commitments.”

A spokesperson for Edinburgh Shoreline Project said: “We are absolutely thrilled to announce the latest strand to the Edinburgh Shoreline project: ‘The Wild Line’. Funding from the Biodiversity Challenge Fund will enable us to work with incredible partners to deliver habitat creation & improvement for pollinators, rocky shore invertebrates & sea birds.

“Our fantastic delivery partners are the Scottish Seabird Centre, City of Edinburgh Council, University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow. Huge thanks to Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon for coming down to meet us at Cramond to hear more about the project. We’re looking forward to a busy year!

SNH Chief Executive Francesca  Osowska said: “Nature loss is one of the key drivers of climate change – but it’s not too late to act. In fact, improving nature is also one of the solutions to the climate emergency.

“There are five areas we need to focus on to improve biodiversity – restoring our habitats, changing our use of the land and sea, reducing pollution and climate change and tackling invasive non-native species. These projects will improve nature across Scotland for all our benefit.

“We know we have a big task before us but we have been working for years with our partners to meet international nature targets. We are ready to deliver the transformational change needed to bring a nature rich future for Scotland.”

 

Boswall Parkway: Re-Imagine Your Street

BIODIVERSITY WORKSHOPS

Thursday 1st February

3pm – 5.30pm or 6pm – 8:30pm

Granton United Church, Boswall Parkway

The Workshop will ask:

  • How might Boswall Parkway look in the future?
  • what challenges and opportunities might there be?

Funded by Adaptation Scotland, the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh is running this pilot project to consult with communities about solutions to climate change and adaptation.

Following an open application process, the Re-Imagining Your Gardens & Streets project was chosen to be our latest Community Engagement Pioneer Project. Jointly ran by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University, the project will investigate a range of community engagement techniques by running outreach events focused on generating ideas to transform streets in the Granton area into well adapted community spaces.

The design of streets and gardens can significantly influence an areas resilience to climate impacts, with large amounts of paved areas contributing to surface water flooding, reduced biodiversity and urban heat island effect. These spaces are also literally on our doorsteps, and represent a tangible and immediate route in to talking to communities about wider adaptation themes.

However, community improvements are best driven by community aspiration, so this project will focus on first introducing the broad concept of creating well adapted streets and gardens, and then facilitate a community conversation to find the ideal interpretation for this unique area.

We will be working with the creative practitioners from the Museum of Future Now to help community members imagine this aspiration future and the ideas they come up with will be turned into illustrations for display in the community hub.

Alongside this, a neighbourhood adaptation planning tool will be created to help other areas explore the possible routes to creating well adapted gardens and streets. This work will compliment other initiatives ongoing in the city, including Edinburgh Living Landscape and Edinburgh Adapts.

There’s still time to book your workshop place: contact Leone on 0791 873 6481 or email lalexander@rgbe.org.uk

 

 

Buzz of excitement as Flora serves up Holyrood honey

Flora Shedden - Scottish Parliament Honey

Great British Bake Off star Flora Shedden brought a buzz of excitement to the Scottish Parliament this week as she joined the Presiding Officer to unveil a specially commissioned bake made with honey from the Scottish Parliament’s beehives. Continue reading Buzz of excitement as Flora serves up Holyrood honey

Our local Living Landscape: opportunities to get involved

035

As part of the Edinburgh Living Landscape project (see below) I was recently appointed by the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh as their Urban Biodiversity Project Officer with the aim of developing projects to benefit people and wildlife in the city (writes Leone Alexander).  Continue reading Our local Living Landscape: opportunities to get involved