New green infrastructure training helps local authorities tackling the climate, ecological and public health emergencies
We are delighted to announce the launch of our new online Green Infrastructure Training for local authorities.
Dr Gemma Jerome, Director of Building with Nature explains:
“With over 230 councils across the UK having declared a Climate Emergency, delivering high-quality green infrastructure is a key priority for local authorities. Local authorities have been telling us that they would like help getting to grips with the practical next steps of how to tackle the triple challenges of the climate, ecological, and public health emergencies. We have also been hearing that planning departments are keen to be ready to implement anticipated new national policy guidance around green infrastructure and to develop a broader understanding of how green infrastructure can help them meet new legislative requirements, such as biodiversity net gain. As the UK’s experts in defining high-quality green infrastructure, we have been listening and developing a set of training products that meets these needs.”
We are offering a 1-day, multi-disciplinary training course developed and piloted with funding from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, which supports local authorities in accelerating the delivery high-quality green infrastructure on the ground. The training provides a clear definition of green infrastructure, offers insight into the multi-functional benefits of green infrastructure, introduces practical tools to support policy and forward planning teams, and development management teams, facilitating cross-departmental discussions to enable teams to embed tools into day-to-day decision making.
We would like to thank the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and the local authorities who took part in the pilot, and share some of the positive responses we have already received about the training:
Bristol City Council:
“The training day provided a very thorough explanation of Building with Nature Standards and approach that started some very useful conversations that we will continue as part of our sustainable place making and recovery of nature delivery.”
St Helens District Council:
“Really useful day, well presented and prepared, a chance to work with Planners not on an application basis but in a more collaborative way.”
Mid Devon District Council:
“Good case studies to gain more understanding, useful tools and ideas given, good opportunity for discussion about how we can improve… well put together and delivered, the training was really brilliant, exceeded my expectations”
Test Valley Borough Council:
"The training was insightful and will help us frame our future thinking around green infrastructure".