Agenda item

The Chair welcomed Oliver Sherratt, Head of Environment and Stuart Priestley, Principal Ecologist to the meeting.

Ann Whitton, Overview and Scrutiny Officer introduced the report outlining that the review activity was as a result of a report to Cabinet on 13 October entitled ‘Consideration of an Ecological Emergency in County Durham’ and asked Councillor Elmer, Vice Chair to provide context to the question.

Councillor Elmer highlighted that this was a very important area hence the question to Council in September asking that the authority consider declaring an emergency and take the same approach as it had in declaring a climate emergency.  He continued that the collapse of ecosystems was item four on the World Risk Register and was fundamental to our survival as a human race and that not protecting ecosystems could lead to global incidents such as a pandemic.

Councillor Elmer advised that there was evidence of a global and national decline of ecosystems but data as to whether this constituted a countywide emergency was less definitive.  Councillor Elmer added that based on global and national data it was warranted to justify an ecological emergency but it was less clear whether the data available was sufficient to justify a countywide emergency.  He continued that the Environment Act 2021 placed responsibilities on the County Council to map habitats at a county level and look at the gaps but did not ask the County Council to look across council services to address and identify actions to help repair and develop habitats in the county.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.