Restoring Nature
West Yorkshire’s natural environment is for everyone to enjoy and protect. To tackle the climate emergency, we are partnering with other authorities to restore and improve our region’s natural spaces.
West Yorkshire’s natural environment is for everyone to enjoy and protect. To tackle the climate emergency, we are partnering with other authorities to restore and improve our region’s natural spaces.
West Yorkshire boasts a stunning mix of landscapes and wildlife. From hills to peat bogs, craggy river valleys and rolling farmland – we've got it all. There are also nature reserves on old industrial sites, urban parks, allotments and canals.
This rich environment supports our lives and those of other species. Nature gives us recreation, beauty and health benefits. It also provides food, carbon storage, clean air and flood management – all essential services for life on Earth.
Sadly, our natural environment is in serious decline. This decline stems from factors such as habitat loss, pesticides, disease, pollution and climate change.
We recognise that change is essential. That’s why, at West Yorkshire Combined Authority, we have plans and strategies to stop and reverse the damage where we can.
The Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, and the Combined Authority have kicked off a bold plan to address the climate and environmental crisis.
The West Yorkshire Climate and Environment Plan 2025-2038 outlines actions the Combined Authority and its partners will take to achieve net zero.
We believe this goal can transform our economy, create skilled jobs, develop a sustainable public transport network and enhance our health and homes.
Everyone will need to make changes. This includes reducing carbon footprints, improving energy efficiency and increasing the use of renewable energy.
Nature's decline impacts us all. Habitat loss impacts the availability of clean air and water. This affects wildlife – nearly 2,000 species may have disappeared from Yorkshire over the past 200 years and approximately 3,000 more are at risk of extinction.
We are currently developing our Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
The Local Nature Recovery Strategy will:
To help inform our strategy, we held a survey in 2024 to hear from people across West Yorkshire on how they think about and interact with nature. We’ve also teamed up with key businesses, young people, community groups, environmental non-governmental organisations, farmers and landowners to gather a wide range of views.
In 2025, we will host another consultation to see if people think we are focusing on the right activities.
Biodiversity net gain (BNG) improves natural habitats. It ensures that new developments, like housing sites, leave nature in a better state.
In England, the law requires all new developments to provide at least 10% more biodiversity than before construction began.
We are a responsible body for Biodiversity Net Gain. This means we secure land for conservation.
We collaborate with Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, and Wakefield councils. Together, we support new developments and boost biodiversity on Habitat Bank (or “gain”) sites. By managing BNG on these sites, we help ensure lasting benefits for nature and communities.
At West Yorkshire Combined Authority, we aim to create a greener, more sustainable region. We want happy communities with access to green spaces.
Simplifying and speeding up biodiversity improvements is key to this goal. BNG helps lessen the impact of new developments on local nature.
You can find out more about BNG by reading the Government’s guidance. The Planning and Advisory Service also has useful information, including FAQs. You can also contact us at EnvironmentTeam@westyorks-ca.gov.uk.
