-Global
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change -UNFCCC
The Convention is the parent treaty of the 2015 Paris Agreement which aims to keep the global average temperature rise this century as close as possible to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The next summit, COP26, will be held in Glasgow in November 2021 to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Convention on Biological Diversity
The Convention's 2050 vision is that biodiversity is valued, conserved, restored and wisely used, maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining a healthy planet and delivering benefits essential for all people. The Global Biodiversity Outlook report on the 2011-2020 targets notes the importance of biodiversity in addressing climate change, and long-term food security, and concludes that action to protect biodiversity is essential to prevent future pandemics. Targets for 2021-2030 will be considered at the next summit, COP15, to be held in China in October 2021.
Leaders' Pledge for Nature
Political leaders representing 84 countries from all regions, including the UK Prime Minister, have committed to reversing biodiversity loss by 2030.
-National
Climate Change Act 2008
Set in law the UK's net zero carbon emissions by 2050 target and the requirement for five-yearly carbon budgets to achieve the target, and established the Climate Change Committee to advise and monitor. On 1st May 2019 the government passed a motion declaring an environment and climate emergency. Post-Brexit legislation needing to be consistent with the net zero emissions target includes the Environment Bill, the Agriculture Act 2020, the Trade Bill.
The Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution
Policy paper published in November 2020 setting out the approach government will take to build back better, support green jobs, and accelerate our path to net zero. Building on this is the Energy white paper: Powering our net zero future, published December 2020.
Climate Change Committee
Independent statutory body advising UK governments on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
UK Climate Assembly: The Path to Net Zero report
Called by Parliament, the Climate Assembly brought together people from all walks of life to discuss how the UK can reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. Participants learnt about climate change and how the UK can address it, took time to discuss this with one another, and then reported in September 2020 with recommendations about what should happen.
Well-being of Future Generations Wales Act 2015
The Act requires public bodies in Wales to think about the long-term impact of their decisions, to work better with people, communities and each other, and to prevent persistent problems such as poverty, health inequalities and climate change. Unique to Wales, the Act is attracting interest from countries across the world.
The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review
The UK government asked Professor Sir Partha Dasgupta to assess the economic benefits of biodiversity globally, assess the economic costs and risks of biodiversity loss, and identify actions that can simultaneously enhance biodiversity and deliver economic prosperity. The final report, published in February 2021, is a contribution to the Convention on Biological Diversity COP15 in October 2021.
-Local
Cheshire East Environment Strategy 2020-24
Our local authority explains how it will respond to the global challenge of climate change and how the natural environment of Cheshire East will be enhanced and protected.
Cheshire East carbon neutral action plan
To meet the first goal of its Environment Strategy, our local authority's action plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2025, including encouraging businesses, residents and organisations to reduce their own emissions.
Cheshire Wildlife Trust – 2030 Strategy
A 10 year strategy for a wilder Cheshire with the mission of bringing wildlife back – for everyone, everywhere.
