Need for a revolution in terms of development to address biodiversity and climate crises

Need for a revolution in terms of development to address biodiversity and climate crises The whole landscape of Redbridge needs to change if the climate and biodiversity crises are to be in any way addressed. The need to increase biodiversity, whilst countering climate change means that the built as well as natural environment need to change – there has to be a coming together. Frankly, there is just too much concrete around – whether that be housing or shopping centres or office blocks. Yes, these things have a place but increased biodiversity and schemes like for active travel, that address health and carbon emissions, need to be integrated as part of a new vision. The idea of the park in one place and the shopping centre somewhere else is something that has had its day. The two must integrate together. Under the new Environment Act, there has to be a 10% net biodiversity gain in any newly built property. If properly implemented this should have a dramatic impact on the urban landscape. The building will simply be part of the wider vista. On older housing stock, Waltham Forest Council have come up with some interesting ideas, including working with the Aston Group on a retrofit of old property. A costly enterprise but really reducing emissions and enhancing biodiversity. https://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/design-and-conservation/eco-home-47-greenleaf-road In Redbridge, the report of the Nature an Environment Task and Finish Group (which I chaired) has just been published http://moderngov.redbridge.gov.uk/documents/s126569/8.1%20Nature%20and%20Environment%20Scrutiny%20Report%20final%20Oct2021.pdf It is intended as the third part in the council’s response to the climate and biodiversity crises – the other two being the Climate Action Plan and the Green Urban Landscape policy. Among the recommendations are the extension of Growzones across the borough, Wetlands and more tree planting. The 14 recommendations coming out of the report, which seeks to extend biodiversity in the borough. Other recommendations include developing wildlife corridors, phasing out pesticide use and promoting allotments and community gardens. Growzones began in Wanstead. We have seen successful areas developed on George and Christchurch Greens as well as at the Roding Valley Park – Elmcroft Avenue entrance. There have been encouraging biodiversity gains at all of these sites, which helped in the effort to promote the idea across the borough. We also need to look at how to encourage measures to help biodiversity on private land - the fruit tree giveaway was one such initiative. It was a concern raised by community groups giving testimony to the T&F Group that too much of the borough is going under concrete. The has been happening incrementally, with front and back gardens getting concreted over for a variety of reasons. The report calls for a review of present processes, with possible stipulations on the amount of an area that remains in natural state. The report highlights the potential for Wetland developments which can help deal with flood threats as well as extend biodiversity. And as Walthamstow Wetlands and others across the country show they are a great visitor attraction. A review of the Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (sincs) with a view to extending their coverage is another integral element of the report. The whole approach has to be holistic, taking in every part of life. There also needs to be a flexibility of approach – tree planting is very good in terms of cutting carbon dioxide but it is not the only way to do this. Increasing biodiversity is a broad canvass, which offers an opportunity in many formats. All parts of the environmental policy need to interact together from planting more trees and developing wetlands to facilitating more active travel and extending the electricity vehicle charging network. All of these things need to work in unison, if the dual threats of biodiversity and climate disaster are to be tackled. What is important is development per se becomes a far more holistic notion with climate and biodiversity considerations forming part of every element of council policy. It will be a steep learning curve but it needs to happen if there really is going to be the sort of revolution required to start addressing climate and biodiversity crisis. And what is for certain is that time is running out to act. These early reports and initiatives are now in place but they cannot be allowed to sit on the shelf and gather dust – we all need to see the initiatives, and more, happening immediately as the whole change in culture starts to develop.