2023 Action Scorecards

Action Scorecards 2023

Planning & Biodiversity (CA)

The climate emergency is deeply connected to the ecological emergency. This section covers how combined authorities can support the protection of and increased biodiversity in the area. This section also covers the enabling role combined authorities can play in supporting renewable energy generation locally and embedding net-zero targets into their area-wide strategic planning.

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Questions in this section

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You’ll find more options, like the ability to compare your council’s Scorecard with other councils, and see a more granular breakdown of how they did on each question of the Scorecards.

Questions	Councils with full marks per question
3.1 Does the combined authority's Spatial Planning Strategy include the council's net-zero target and make tackling the climate emergency one of its main priorities? Visit question → Criteria Does the combined authority's Spatial Planning Strategy include the council's net-zero target and make tackling the climate emergency one of its main priorities? Criteria met if the Spatial Planning Strategy is in date and the net-zero target is included within the Spatial Planning strategy, although any date for the net-zero target would be sufficient. One of the key priorities in the Spatial Planning Strategy must be to tackle the climate emergency or reduce emissions. The priority to take climate action must be a stand alone priority, listed as one of the councils core priorities or equivalent. If the core priority is a more general 'Sustainability', 'Environment' or 'Greener City/Area' and climate action is a priority within this core priority this would get the point. See more criteria clarifications in the full methodology	3 out of 11 councils got full marks for this question.
3.2 Does the combined authority identify suitable areas for new solar energy, wind developments and district heat networks? Visit question → Criteria Does the combined authority identify suitable areas for new solar energy, wind developments and district heat networks? Points awarded if the combined authority has a map detailing where solar energy can be built within the whole combined authority area. Points awarded if the combined authority has a map detailing where wind energy can be built within the whole combined authority area. Points awarded if the combined authority has a map detailing where a district heat network can be built within the whole combined authority area. See more criteria clarifications in the full methodology	1 out of 11 councils got full marks for this question.
3.3 Has the combined authority mapped the areas of opportunity for biodiversity? Visit question →	5 out of 11 councils got full marks for this question.
3.4 Does the combined authority have a natural capital investment plan? Visit question →	4 out of 11 councils got full marks for this question.
3.5 Does the combined authority have a target to increase tree cover across its area? Visit question →	4 out of 11 councils got full marks for this question.
3.6 Does the combined authority provide funding for community action on biodiversity, for example through an environment fund or biodiversity action fund? Visit question → Criteria Does the combined authority provide funding for community action on biodiversity, for example through an environment fund or biodiversity action fund? This is a ring-fenced fund that a combined authority has created to spend on biodiversity action locally for other organisations and volunteer groups. The criteria must clearly be about biodiversity action projects and those who apply must complete some sort of application to define their planned biodiversity activities. Point awarded if the combined authority has established a community biodiversity action fund or similar, provided the following criteria are met: - The fund is at least £500,000 or higher. Where the overall amount of funding isn't clear, it will be assumed that funds awarding individual grants over £10,000 or up to £100,000 will meet this criteria. - The fund is accessible to community groups, including where relevant parish councils See more criteria clarifications in the full methodology	6 out of 11 councils got full marks for this question.

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Action Scorecards 2023

Planning & Biodiversity (CA)

Average score

Combined Authority

Questions in this section

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Action Scorecards 2023

Planning & Biodiversity (CA)

Average score

Combined Authority

Questions in this section

Add Combined Authorities to compare

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