On Thursday 8^th January, Suffolk Wildlife Trust and Norfolk Wildlife Trust met with parliamentarians in Westminster to make the case for nature recovery to be placed at the heart of the UK Government’s plans for devolution in England, which will see the creation of a new Combined County Authority for Norfolk and Suffolk, and the election of a Norfolk and Suffolk Mayor in 2028. 

The event was hosted by Suffolk Coastal MP Jenny Riddell-Carpenter and was attended by local Wildlife Trusts from areas of England selected for the Government’s Devolution Priority Programme, including Norfolk and Suffolk, and Hampshire and the Solent. 

New Mayoral Strategic Authorities in these areas will receive new powers and duties from Government through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, including over strategic planning and local growth plans.

At the event, the Trusts set out how devolution can unlock meaningful action for nature locally, and in turn support sustainable, ‘nature-powered’ jobs and economic growth if new powers for local authorities are underpinned by strong environmental duties and clear mechanisms to drive nature’s recovery. 

Suffolk Wildlife Trust and Norfolk Wildlife Trust are calling for the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to deliver:

• Updated environmental duties for local authorities that reflect the scale and urgency of the climate and biodiversity crises.
• Alignment of local growth plans with Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) to ensure that nature and the economy can thrive in tandem.
• New powers for communities to ensure that a community ‘right-to-buy' can protect land that provides access to wildlife-rich spaces.

As the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill continues its passage through the House of Lords peers will debate proposed amendments aimed at strengthening the Bill’s approach to nature recovery, climate resilience and community empowerment.

Suffolk Wildlife Trust and Norfolk Wildlife Trust will continue to work with MPs, peers, and local stakeholders as the Bill progresses, urging the Government to ensure that nature recovery is at the heart of a Bill that delivers on the opportunity for nature to power growth and prosperity in the two counties. 

Speakers at the event included Debbie Tann MBE, CEO of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Christine Luxton, CEO of Suffolk Wildlife Trust, and Jenny Riddell-Carpenter MP.

Christine Luxton, CEO of Suffolk Wildlife Trust,  said:

“Nature isn’t just a nice to have, it’s essential for people and communities to thrive and prosper – providing us with food and water, protecting homes and businesses from flooding, reducing air pollution and improving our health, all while underpinning jobs and economic growth.

“Devolution gives us an opportunity to ensure local people, businesses, and communities get more of the benefits of a healthy natural environment by putting nature recovery at the heart of local government policies and decision-making. That starts with making sure the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill gives local government the powers and duties it needs to deliver for nature and people in the places where we all live.”

Sarah Eglington, Policy and Campaigns Officer at Norfolk Wildlife Trust, said: 

“Norfolk’s big open skies above nature-rich broads, heathlands and beaches are a source of real local pride, and people across the county hugely value the wildlife here. Nature also plays a vital role in our everyday lives — supporting our health, protecting communities from flooding, and helping build a strong, sustainable economy. With new powers coming to Norfolk and Suffolk, there is real opportunity for renewed leadership to drive nature’s recovery, as well as prosperity and wellbeing. A stronger duty on local authorities to contribute to nature and climate targets is essential to ensure this opportunity is not missed.”

Suffolk Coastal MP, Jenney Riddell-Carpenter, said:

“Protecting nature works best when decisions are made closest to the places we are trying to protect. Devolution gives communities the power to improve nature, increase biodiversity and do more to clean up our rivers and seas. That is why I am proud to sponsor this event and champion a more locally led approach to improving our natural environment.”