Greater Manchester declares biodiversity emergency

Greater Manchester Combined Authority has declared a biodiversity emergency in the city-region, setting out new initiatives to reverse habitat loss and ensure Greater Manchester is home to diverse range of plant and animal species.

The move, which saw the city-region’s ten local authority leaders sign the Edinburgh Declaration to commit to reversing biodiversity loss, comes three years after a climate emergency was declared by Greater Manchester’s political leaders.

The Edinburgh Declaration argues for greater prominence to be given to the role of cities and local authorities in delivering the change required to improve biodiversity.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: 

“There is little doubt that Greater Manchester’s biodiversity has taken a hit over the years, with habitats being lost, destroyed and becoming less diverse due to the impact of development, climate change, pollution and invasive species.

“And these changes have had wider impacts on the city-region and the ability of the natural environment to provide the ecosystems we rely on. Our peatlands are less able to store carbon, our uplands are less able to reduce flood risk further downstream and our urban parks and green spaces are under pressure to provide quality environments to improve people’s physical and mental health.

“But we are committed to delivering a city-region for all residents to enjoy – a fairer, greener and more prosperous place for everyone. Taking this step in signing the Edinburgh Declaration and declaring a biodiversity emergency will act as a rallying cry for us to drive forward our already-developed and ambitious environmental strategies, and continue to lead the way.

“Last week saw the launch of the new Greater Manchester Strategy, setting out the city-region’s fairer, greener and more prosperous future. We intend to hit carbon neutrality by 2038, more than a decade sooner that the national target– seen as critical by experts to achieving long-term global net zero goals and environmental protection. I am confident that our drive to net zero carbon can act as the catalyst to level up the city-region’s transport, homes and jobs. We must do this in a way that also adapts our city-region to the future impacts of climate change and embeds nature’s recovery”

To begin working towards biodiversity goals, a new Green Spaces Fund worth £2.6 million has launched to allow community groups to enhance or create local green spaces across the city-region, such as community gardens, street greening and pocket parks or opening up access to existing undeveloped land. The fund will form part of Greater Manchester’s existing GM Environment Fund, with applications set to open from May 2022.