PLANS are being drawn up to unlock up to £100 million of private and public sector funding for environmental projects across the West Midlands.
The plan aims to speed up nature recovery, improve people’s health and wellbeing and help protect communities from climate change.
The West Midlands Combined Authority’s (WMCA) has already identified 200 environment projects covering 46,000 hectares of land – the equivalent of 70,000 football pitches – that could be included one of the UK’s first regional natural capital investment prospectuses.
These projects include habitat enhancement and connectivity, blue and green infrastructure, nature-based solutions to build resilience to climate change impacts, improving access to green space for health and wellbeing benefits, species protection and biodiversity net gain.
Speaking at the first West Midlands Natural Environment Summit last Friday, Mayor Richard Parker announced a package of direct support to help the first projects become investment ready.
He said: “My focus is on securing new funding that will directly support nature projects, improving the quality of life for people across our region.
“We’re aiming to bring in private sector investment to create more green spaces, restore habitats, and plant thousands of trees, especially in areas that need them most.
“These initiatives will help make our communities greener, healthier, and more vibrant, ensuring the benefits are felt now and for future generations.”
The West Midlands is one of just four regions in England, and the only predominantly urban area, asked by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to lead national efforts to identify new ways of significantly increasing the amount of private sector funding for nature.
As part of the Defra-funded Local Investment in Natural Capital programme, the WMCA will support and promote investment-ready projects that collectively can significantly enhance biodiversity and improve access to green spaces and waterways for local people – both key aims of the region’s Natural Environment Plan.
Mary Creagh, Minister for Nature, said: “The Government is fully committed to restoring nature across England, and local authorities have a key role to play to deliver against this agenda.
“I am delighted to see the work that West Midlands Combined Authority has been carrying out as part of our Local Investment in Natural Capital programme, which will act as a model for other local authority areas.”