Enhancing and restoring the environment
Ongoing plans to help restore and enhance the natural environment and continue lowering the city's carbon footprint are being considered by the City Council's Cabinet.
At its meeting on Thursday 13 November, the cabinet is looking at public engagement for the draft South of Tyne and Wear Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS). The strategy has been drawn-up to help outline clear priorities and potential actions to improve nature and reverse biodiversity decline.
Gateshead Council has been appointed by DEFRA to lead the development of the strategy for the South of Tyne and Wear area, which includes South Tyneside, Gateshead, and Sunderland.
Sunderland's Cabinet Member for the Environment, Transport and Net Zero, Councillor Lindsey Leonard said: "If we are to see more of nature recovering then it's important that residents and the whole community have their say and the opportunity to comment.
"By engaging with the public from homeowners and tenants, to landowners, businesses, interest and community groups, everyone gets the opportunity to give their feedback.
"This plan is about restoring habitats, and supporting the recovery of species and how we help create more nature-rich spaces that can be enjoyed by all."
The meeting is also considering the council's Low Carbon Annual Report and progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing environmental sustainability. The emissions data for 2024/25 shows a 6.9 per cent reduction by the council and a 61.5 per cent decrease since the baseline year of 2017/18. The most significant reduction came from the council's vehicle fleet which saw emissions fall by 17 per cent year-on-year. The highest sources of emissions for the city as a whole remain as transport and domestic energy.
Cllr Leonard added: "Environmental improvements and enhancement, whether through the nature recovery strategy, investing in green spaces through initiatives such as the North East Community Forest or other actions to reduce our emissions, are all important steps for our communities as we work together to make Sunderland a cleaner, greener city."
Consultation and engagement on the draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy is earmarked to begin on Thursday 27 November and run for seven weeks into January 2026.
For more information, visit www.natureplan.org.uk
