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Decision Making

We continue to embed sustainability into decision-making. Recent actions have included:

  • continued Carbon Literacy training within our organisation
  • sustainability in decision-making training for senior leadership and Cabinet members
  • the renewal of sustainability training from new joiner induction to a compulsory 3-yearly refresher, including biodiversity and climate prioritisation into our corporate priorities and into managers' core competencie

Rights of Nature Framework

Maidstone Borough Council has become the first UK council to adopt a Rights of Nature framework, embedding the principle that nature has the right to exist, thrive and evolve into its decision-making processes. This means that when the Council makes decisions, the needs of nature are considered alongside social, economic and financial factors, ensuring a more balanced and long-term approach.

Rather than creating a standalone policy, the framework is integrated into the Council’s Biodiversity and Climate Change Action Plans, ensuring it directly influences planning, land management and service delivery. It strengthens how impacts on rivers, trees, habitats and wildlife are assessed, making nature a core part of everyday council decisions.

Local authority becomes first UK council to recognise rights of nature - MBC News Website