Nature is threated by climate change. This is leading to: 

• habitat loss for animals 
• lower numbers and less variety of animals and plants  
• invasive species (animals and plants) threatening the balance of ecosystems 

We declared an ecological emergency in 2019, and have been doing our part to double the nature in South Cambridgeshire. This will help to increase biodiversity and allow nature to recover from the effects of climate change. 

Our plan to support nature recovery: 

• our Doubling Nature Strategy [PDF, 3MB] explains how we plan to protect and enhance nature
• our Zero Carbon and Doubling Nature Action Plan [PDF, 2.5MB] lists 12 actions we’re taking to help nature in our area. We report on our progress every 6 months to our Climate and Environment Advisory Committee 
• The Greater Cambridge Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Document [PDF, 4MB] is a guide to develop proposals which avoid harm to nature and offer a net gain for biodiversity 
• we are working with Cambridge City Council on a new plan to improve nature, wildlife, and green spaces. Our Planning team has ecology and tree specialists to help with this
• we use peat-free compost for our estates and landscaping 
• we work with Natural Cambridgeshire, this group is made up of public bodies, conservation groups, and businesses. For more information on this go to the GOV.UK website 
• Community Chest Grants of up to £2,000 for projects that support biodiversity
• Community-Led Plan Toolkit gives advice on how to put into practice local nature recovery plans and biodiversity policies
• Zero Carbon Communities Grant funds tree planting and other projects that tackle climate change
• Six Free Trees Project provides free trees to parish councils
• our Zero Carbon Communities supports community action with webinars and a newsletter.