Has your council declared a nature emergency?

We’re urging all local authorities to declare a nature emergency

To help nature recover, we all need to play our part—and local councils hold the power to drive the change nature urgently needs. Alongside local communities working to protect and restore nature, a growing number of local authorities are declaring nature emergencies. This is an important first step in acknowledging the challenge.

To demonstrate commitment to meaningful action for nature’s recovery, we want to see declarations supported by:

These actions were chosen by a panel of environmental organisations as the most meaningful indicators of nature recovery. See which local authorities have already made a declaration and taken these significant steps below.

Why declare a nature emergency?

Nature is integral to our culture, to a healthy society, and to a thriving and sustainable economy. Putting these plans into practice and working with communities and partners will show bold leadership in creating nature-rich places for wildlife and for people to live, work and play. It will also make a crucial contribution to the UK’s commitment to protect and manage 30% of UK land for nature by 2030, and to national species and habitats targets.

Next steps

We’re happy to share policy ideas and insights with local authorities.

• Delve into more detail and recommendations for local government in these reports:
  • Trees and woods: at the heart of nature recovery (Woodland Trust)
  • Design your LNRS to Deliver for Plants and Fungi (Plantlife)
  • Managing Road Verges and Green Spaces (Plantlife)
• Share the suggested wording in our example motion to make the declaration
• See other local authorities’ experiences on this crucial journey in our case studies

• If your local authority is looking for guidance on tree and nature policies, email governmentaffairs@woodlandtrust.org.uk.

Nature Emergency UK has been developed by the Woodland Trust in association with mySociety and Climate Emergency UK.