Authorities have drawn up a new charter to tackle climate change and nature loss in the Vale.
Vale of Glamorgan Council has been seeking to reduce its carbon emissions to net zero by 2030, since declaring a 'climate emergency' in 2019, followed by a 'nature emergency' two years later.
Now, the Vale's Public Services Board (PSB) has set out new committments to cut emissions, while restoring ecosystems in the county.
The new charter also supports the Welsh Government's efforts to conserve and manage at least 30% of land and sea for biodiversity by the start of the next decade, as well as an ambition for a 'net zero' Wales by 2050.
Council leader Lis Burnett, who also chairs the PSB, said: "This charter reaffirms the PSB's commitment to tackling the climate and nature emergencies together."
"We know that a healthy environment is essential for our well-being, economy, and future resilience. By working collaboratively across public services, we can take meaningful action to reduce emissions, protect biodiversity, and support nature recovery."
"The PSB's latest charter sets out clear, practical steps that will help us create positive change—through policy, infrastructure, and community engagement."
The board says the "intertwined crises" of climate change and nature loss cannot be solved without the other.
The charter outlines concrete actions being taken by the PSB's partners to drive "meaningful, long-term sustainability", while building on past efforts to reduce environmental harm and restore biodiversity.
Some of the key commitments set out include:
- Restoring and protecting nature – creating opportunities for communities to reconnect with and actively support nature recovery.
- Tackling waste at the source – prioritising waste reduction before reusing, recycling, and recovery.
- Decarbonising buildings and operations – reducing energy and water consumption, making spaces more sustainable.
- Transforming travel and transport – accelerating the shift to low-carbon travel while ensuring the necessary infrastructure is in place.
Progress on the charter's aims will be reported every year with policies adapted were necessary while staff, service users and communities are encouraged to change their behaviour
David Letellier, head of South Wales Central operations at Natural Resources Wales, said: "This charter demonstrates the PSB's shared commitment to addressing the climate and nature emergencies."
"The key to success will be new ways of working that drive behavioural change – everyone has got a role to play."
"With our strong commitment together, we continue to make steady progress towards our big mission for biodiversity and net-zero targets, both locally and nationally."
The new Climate and Nature Emergency Charter is available on the Vale of Glamorgan PSB website.
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