Data and Evidence
Purpose
To promote the importance of data-driven decisions to better enhance and protect our natural environment.
Achievements in 2019
Identification of a draft Nature Recovery Network for Oxfordshire so our environment can be considered at the strategic spatial level in Oxfordshire Plan 2050.
Ambition for 2020
- What are the options and what is required to mitigate the impact? (quantified and spatial)
- How will a net gain in biodiversity and the wider environment be achieved?
To promote the importance of data-driven decisions to better enhance and protect our natural environment.
Achievements in 2019
Identification of a draft Nature Recovery Network for Oxfordshire so our environment can be considered at the strategic spatial level in Oxfordshire Plan 2050.
Ambition for 2020
- Ensure that Oxfordshire Plan 2050 fully considers:
- What are the options and what is required to mitigate the impact? (quantified and spatial)
- How will a net gain in biodiversity and the wider environment be achieved?
- Encourage and guide the completion of the Nature Recovery Network strategy, and support for it.
- Encourage and guide organisations to set policies and standards to ensure delivery of Net Biodiversity Gain and Net Environmental Gain.
Green Infrastructure
Ambition for 2020
- Building wider support for Green Infrastructure Strategy (and related issues e.g. Nature Recovery Networks).
- Work out a joint statement which the wider community could back
- A Green Infrastructure Strategy & Accessible Natural Green Space Action Plan. To include measures to ensure Oxfordshire meets the Government agreed Accessible Natural Green Space Standards. The first programme of work should be to put in place measures, support and partnerships to provide these basic requirements for public health and wellbeing.
Fundraising
A small start-up grant was secured from Oxfordshire County Council, to provide an administrative function for OxEB. As the partnership progresses, and work streams are developed, appropriate support costs will be sought to ensure the ongoing development of the Board and its aims.
Advocacy for the Natural Environment
The Oxfordshire Environment Board aims to inform and influence decision-makers across Oxfordshire to ensure the natural environment is firmly on the agenda and taken fully info account in all relevant strategic and operational plans.
Currently, our key objectives are:
Currently, our key objectives are:
- To engage with the Oxfordshire Growth Board to help ensure that the environment is embedded into its future activities. The review of the Growth Board gives Oxfordshire the opportunity to strengthen its support for climate action. We have requested a position for OxEB as a voting member of the Growth Board
- To help ensure the Oxfordshire Plan 2050 puts environment at its heart. Oxfordshire should be proactive in future thinking and climate change action. We need protection and improvement of the environment to be recognised as a core objective rather than a last resort mitigation for development.