Representatives from multiple organisations met last week (Wednesday 14 May) at a Herefordshire Climate and Nature Networking Breakfast.
Cllr Elissa Swinglehurst, Cabinet Member Environment and James Marsden, Chair of the Herefordshire Climate and Nature Partnership Board welcomed invitees to the Shell Store, Skylon Park, Hereford, which began with a free breakfast and the opportunity to network with influential individuals from across the county.
Talks on Energy and Nature followed, with a focus on opportunities and constraints in Herefordshire. There was then the chance for attendees to browse a range of information stalls and talk to the speakers in more detail about highlighted projects, including the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
The event was hosted by Herefordshire Council, in partnership with the Herefordshire Climate and Nature Partnership Board, and organisations included the National Trust, Women’s Institute, NHS, the countryside charity CPRE and Low Carbon Technology Centre.
Cllr Elissa Swinglehurst, Cabinet Member Environment, said: “If we want to continue rising to the challenges of climate change, is it vital that we work together, so events such as the Climate and Nature Networking Breakfast are a great way for key figures across all sectors to come together and share ideas, issues and aspirations.
“As was emphasised during the event, it is important that we make space for nature recovery, water, and emissions reduction whilst also supporting sustainable and resilient food production. Forecasts suggest there will be a potential change in land use of between 9 and 14% across the nation, and we need to consider how we want this to look in Herefordshire.”
James Marsden, Chair of the Herefordshire Climate and Nature Partnership Board, said: “The climate crisis is real and affects everyone, now and for future generations. Carbon budgets help us understand what we need to do by when to reduce CO2 emissions across all aspects of our lives. That’s why the Herefordshire Climate and Nature Board has been modelling carbon budgets for each sector.
“I was delighted to be able to introduce the initial draft carbon budget for domestic housing, industrial and commercial buildings at our breakfast meeting.”
More information can be found on the Herefordshire Zero Carbon and Nature Rich website.