Theme 1: Caring for Derbyshire's natural environment and landscapes
The natural environment is central to the character of the county and the quality of life enjoyed by residents and visitors. We have the following 6 priority areas:
- protecting and improving nature on our own land
- delivering a co-ordinated approach to nature recovery through the Local Nature Recovery Strategy
- growing and connecting trees, woodlands and hedgerows
- making development better for nature and resilience
- protecting Derbyshire's distinctive landscapes
- supporting sustainable land management
Theme 2: Using energy, fuel and water efficiently
Reducing energy, fuel and water use lowers the cost and environmental impact of how we operate, including in buildings and street lighting. We will focus on:
- reducing energy and water use in buildings and infrastructure
- reducing fuel use from council and employee vehicles
- improving resource efficiency through procurement
- helping households and businesses reduce energy use and bills
Theme 3: Supporting clean, secure energy for Derbyshire
Access to secure, affordable energy supports everyday life and the local economy and we will focus on:
- generating and using more clean energy on our land and buildings
- supporting community led clean energy projects
- encouraging investment in appropriately located clean energy
- making sure regional energy planning reflects Derbyshire's needs
Theme 4: Maintaining and improving air quality
Good air quality is essential for public health, particularly for children, older people and those with existing health conditions. Our priority actions involve:
- reducing the impact of our activities on air quality
- supporting cleaner transport, particularly in areas of concern
- working with partners to tackle air quality issues together
- helping improve air quality inside homes
Theme 5: Reducing waste and using resources wisely
Waste disposal is costly, and waste that could have been reused or recycled is a missed opportunity for communities and the local economy. We will prioritise:
- reducing waste and increasing recycling
- using materials more efficiently in how we operate
- helping residents and businesses recycle more of their waste
- supporting community reuse and repair
- learning from national programmes
Theme 6: Preparing for extreme and adverse weather
Our communities are already experiencing more frequent flooding, storms, wildfires and heatwaves. We will work to improving resilience and help communities be better prepared to cope with future weather extremes by:
- strengthening our own resilience
- protecting vulnerable people and communities
- reducing long term risks from flooding and extreme weather
- building community awareness and preparedness
Theme 7: Making it easier for people to travel around Derbyshire
Improving travel options helps reduce congestion, improve air quality and support local economies as well as supporting healthier lifestyles. We will focus on:
- improving transport planning and connectivity
- making walking and cycling easier and safer
- supporting better public transport
Theme 8: Helping people connect with the natural environment
Access to nature plays an important role in supporting physical and mental health and quality of life. To help connect people with the natural environment, we will focus on the following priorities:
- improving access to green space and the countryside
- supporting nature-based health and wellbeing
- encouraging volunteering, learning and outdoor activity
- celebrating Derbyshire's environment
What we're doing
We're working with people in communities, businesses, local councils, community groups across Derbyshire, to play our part for a better environment.
Find out actions we're taking and how you can get involved.