Agenda item

The Chair reported the following items:

·         Defra Group Chairs meeting – the Chair had attended this meeting in London and it had included representatives from Natural England, Environment Agency and National Park Authorities.  The meeting had discussed issues including the Landscapes Review and climate change.  In particular Defra had positively received the Landscapes Review and would like to take it forward.  Also COP 26, the 26^th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties being hosted by the Government in November at Glasgow, was discussed.  The National Park Authority representatives had urged Defra to use National Parks as case studies/good examples of how protected areas are taking forward the climate change and sustainability message. National Park Chairs will try to progress this via National Parks UK. Defra are very keen to make the link between climate change and biodiversity to look for nature based solutions and National Parks could help to take this forward.

·         Climate Change Summit hosted by Derbyshire County Council – the Chair had attended this summit held on 3 March and had signed a pledge to support Derbyshire County Council to achieve zero carbon by 2050.  Other Members who had attended the event included Mr James Berresford, Prof Janet Haddock-Fraser, Cllr David Chapman and Cllr Barry Lewis.

·         Over Haddon Community Event – the Chair had attended a community event at Over Haddon, on 6 March, looking at sustainability and he had spoken on how the Authority and communities can work together on this issue.  He had also passed on details of other groups that could help including Hope Valley Climate Action Group who were coming to give a presentation to Members today during their Members’ Forum meeting.