West Cheshire sustainability event sets out a greener and fairer future for the borough

Leaders from across the public, private and third sectors came together earlier this week to explore how nature-based solutions, community spirit and innovation is helping West Cheshire become a net-zero borough and is building a greener, fairer future for all.

The West Cheshire Action on Climate and Nature event, hosted by Cheshire West and Chester Council and Chester Zoo, took place on Monday 3 November, at the start of Green Careers Week - a national event that highlights the opportunities for young people to have a career that can make a difference by helping to preserve or restore the environment and the planet.

Young people from Chester Zoo’s Youth Board and Cheshire West's Youth Senate led a panel discussion about green skills, discussing how young people can get involved in conservation or climate action and take their first steps into careers in these fields.

The event also provided an opportunity to highlight a range of projects already making a difference to address the climate and nature emergency in the area. From Chester Zoo’s Networks for Nature partnership, which is driving nature recovery across 60 square miles in the area, to a green skills project that will upskill clean energy sector workers.

The latest Climate Emergency Response Plan for the borough was also launched by the Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Councillor Louise Gittins, at the event. The plan sets out how greenhouse gases can be reduced in the borough, how the area can adapt to the impacts of climate change and biodiversity can be improved for the benefit of people and nature.

The borough wide plan includes a series of actions, split across six different themes, setting out how the Council will achieve its goals. This includes both the direct actions that the Council will take within its services, and the areas where the Council will seek to work with residents, businesses, stakeholders and government to influence the wider state of the borough.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said:

“This event was about turning ambition into action. Celebrating the steps already taken in the borough to tackle the climate and nature emergencies and highlighting the opportunities to collaborate further to create green growth, job opportunities for local people and a borough where nature can thrive.

“As a borough we’ve already made good strides on our journey to become net zero by 2045. The key to this success is collaboration and innovation, with a wide range of partners, businesses, local organisations and communities working together to create a greener, healthier place for us, and future generations, to enjoy.”

Chief Conservation Officer and Deputy CEO at Chester Zoo, Kirsten Pullen, said:

“Chester Zoo was proud to host, and co-launch, the Climate Emergency Response Plan alongside Cheshire West and Chester Council as meaningful action on climate change and biodiversity loss cannot happen in isolation.

“The event isn’t just about unveiling a document - it’s about reaffirming our shared commitment to save biodiversity, prevent extinction of species and encourage habitat growth. We can’t save a species without looking at the impact of climate change, and this plan gives us a blueprint on meaningful action for wildlife and climate change - and real hope for the future.

“We’re pleased with the plan’s commitment to species recovery, increasing biodiversity, improving access to nature, and restoring habitats, all of which supports our conservation charity’s mission to prevent extinction.”

A summary version of the West Cheshire Climate Emergency Response Plan can be viewed online: 

westcheshireclimateplan.co.uk

Residents, community groups and local businesses taking action to address the climate and nature emergencies are encouraged to add their stories to the Climate Emergency Inspire Hub: 

cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/tackleclimate

Pictured - Members of Chester Zoo's Youth Board and Cheshire West's Youth Senate with Cllr Louise Gittins, Eunice Simmons from the University of Chester, and Steve Illidge and Kirsten Pullen from Chester Zoo.