Report shows significant progress made on biodiversity

Wirral Council is set to reaffirm its commitment to nature with the publication of its second annual report on the Biodiversity and Net Gain Strategy.

Approved by the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport (ECET) Committee in October 2023, the strategy has continued to unite partners, local communities, and council teams in a shared mission: to protect and enhance biodiversity across the borough.

At its next meeting on 2nd December, the members will receive an update on the achievements made in 2024-2025 in line with the strategy and be asked to review and approve priority actions for the coming year.

Over the past year, Wirral has taken significant steps toward a greener future, including:-

• Wild About Nature Campaign - inspiring residents to connect with local wildlife.
• Community Engagement - 33 Friends Groups, 105 Tree Wardens, and 88 schools participating in the Eco Schools programme—impacting over 30,000 children.
• Hedgehog-Friendly Campuses - expanded to 29 schools, creating safer habitats for one of Britain’s most beloved species.
• Biodiversity Net Gain Legislation - 40 planning applications assessed, with three rejected for failing to meet new biodiversity standards.
• Internal Training - 90 council officers and members began biodiversity literacy training, with 28 completing the full module—boosting understanding of the biodiversity crisis and its importance.

The ECET Committee will review and approve priority actions for 2025-26, including:

• Development of a Biodiversity Action Plan.
• Progress on the Natural Flood Management Project at Hoylake Carrs.
• Final approval of the Liverpool City Region Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
• Advancing plans for habitat banks on council and private land.

To align with national targets and ensure measurable progress, the report proposes amending the council’s Environment and Climate Emergency policy statement, which will result in a stronger overall commitment to protecting biodiversity on Wirral. The proposal is to:

• Remove the commitment to: ‘ensure a 20% net gain in biodiversity across all council land’
• And postpone the commitment to ‘manage at least 30% of land in Wirral for the benefit of wildlife by 2030’ to align this with the national emerging 30by30 framework. 

This adjustment reflects the need for achievable, reportable goals while maintaining ambition for biodiversity recovery, and will result in a stronger commitment to protecting biodiversity on the Wirral by protecting both land and sea for all nature and not just wildlife alone by 2030.