South East Forum For Sustainability

Archive for the ‘Green Infrastructure’ Category

Climate change is the biggest long term threat facing the natural environment. It is also one of the biggest threats to society.

We need to adapt to future climate change as a society and we need to enable the natural environment to adapt too, these two things can go hand in hand and the planning system can play a very important role.

Natural England in the South East region has produced an information document on how local authorities can help incorporate biodiversity adaptation to climate change through the planning system – ‘Making space for wildlife in a changing climate’. The document provides information on biodiversity adaptation to climate change in the region, how the spatial planning system can help address this, some of the multiple benefits action for biodiversity can provide and some tools to assist local authorities deliver adaptation measures.

There is a supplementary document which highlights some examples of best practise in planning for biodiversity adaptation to climate change, a checklist for planners and a section which provides signposts to further information. You can find the document and its supplement here

Throughout the development of the South East Plan, SEFS advocated and supported the inclusion of a policy on Green Infrastructure. Now the South East Plan is in place, it is welcome news to see that a Green Infrastructure Framework has been launched. The aims of the Framework are to:

- establish Green Infrastructure as an integral and essential component of sustainable communities
- develop a common understanding of the role and importance of green infrastructure
- help implement the South East Plan’s green infrastructure policy,
- provide detailed guidance on how Green Infrastructure can be delivered through the planning system and local partnerships.