Cabinet gives updated climate and nature strategy green light

Nearly five years on from declaring a climate emergency, the Nature and Climate Strategy 2024 builds upon achievements since 2019 and sets out updated priority actions that are needed to deliver net zero at the council and the wider Lewes district. It also includes actions to tackle the dangerous decline in nature caused by human activities.

Councillor Emily O'Brien, Cabinet Member for Climate, Nature and Food Systems, said: "There has been some amazing work across the district over the last five years to tackle the climate emergency and this strategy recognises those accomplishments while acknowledging there is still much to do.

"While our core vision from the initial strategy to support and enable climate action work across the district remains the same, this document reflects how the world has changed and refocuses our actions as we move closer to 2030."

Achievements so far include the introduction of an electric vehicle fleet for food waste collection, biodiversity improvements through the new 6.8 hectare Cockshut wetland project, 249 new residential solar installations through the Solar Together scheme saving nearly 237 tonnes CO2 per year, natural flood prevention measures and 64 new electric vehicle charge points in public car parks.

Latest data shows there has been a 16.8% reduction in carbon emissions on the total baseline figure from 2018/19 and the carbon footprint was reduced by 15% between 2018 and 2020.

Many local organisations and groups as well as town and parish councils were engaged in setting revised goals for the new strategy.

Councillor O'Brien added: "Working with partners and the community is key to the success of not only our climate emergency ambitions but also the nature crisis we are facing, so that people from all walks of life can enjoy our wonderful green spaces and natural environment."

The Nature and Climate Strategy 2024 and further information about progress being made is available at: lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/climate-change

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