Community leadership
Our Objective – To act as an exemplar of best practice, by considering biodiversity issues when developing relevant strategies and during partnership working.
Natural Choice White Paper:
a) Establish Local Nature Partnerships (LNPs) to enable local action; leadership; raise awareness about the services and benefits of a healthy natural environment. LNPs will contribute to the Green Economy and complement Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), which we are encouraging them to form strong links.
b) Will enable local authorities, local communities and landowners, private sector and NGOs to establish new Nature Improvement Areas (NIAs) to enhance and reconnect nature on a significant scale. Major support for NIAs will come from the National Planning Statements, Environmental Stewardship and Woodland Grant Schemes.
c) Reconnect people with nature to foster healthier neighbourhoods, green spaces encourage social activity; reduce crime and. Enable voluntary activity to improve wildlife habitats:
- Help local authorities use their duties and powers on public health, Public Heath England will publish practical evidence about improving health including access to a good natural environment:
- Create a new ‘Local Green Areas’ designation to protect locally valued green areas;
- Establish Green Infrastructure Partnerships with civil society.
d) Visit England will act as a source of best practice, identifying and sharing advice with Destination Management Organisations and others in the tourism industry who wants to develop payback schemes.
e) The Government will buy products that bring good value to money, whilst being sustainable and efficient, embedding the Green Buying Standards in departmental and centralised procurement contracts.
f) Government Departments will be open about the steps they are taking to address biodiversity and the needs of the natural environment, including actions to promote, conserve and enhance biodiversity; and reduce the environmental impacts of food and catering services.