Sustainability

In an area so attuned with nature and the great outdoors, sustainability is a cornerstone of life in the Staffordshire Moorlands.

EQM

The Environmental Quality Mark (EQM) is an official award that shows you're proud of your business and area and you're doing your best to reduce your impact on the environment.

Both the Peak District Environmental Quality Mark (PDEQM) and the Staffordshire Environmental Quality Mark (SEQM) operate in the Staffordshire Moorlands. PDEQM is the Peak District National Park Authority’s scheme for green businesses located within the National Park boundary. SEQM is Staffordshire County Council’s scheme and is county wide.

Plan for Nature

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s Plan for Nature was developed in partnership with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and sets out key actions to support the area’s nature. The vision is to protect and restore priority species and habitats, restore natural processes and deliver nature-based solutions to improve biodiversity and mitigate climate change.

It includes an assessment of the baseline state of nature in the Moorlands and identifies key areas to target for the creation, restoration and connection of habitats.

Climate Change Action

By 2030, the aim is for 30 per cent of all land in the Staffordshire Moorlands to be protected and managed for nature.

By 2050, nature will have recovered to sustainable levels, with formerly declining habitats and species restored, both town and countryside resilient to climate change, and everyone able to access and engage with nature on their doorsteps.

There will be more sites designated for wildlife. The most important habitats and wildlife will consist of a robust network where wildlife can migrate, live and breed. Landowners will be aware of and have access to a range of funding/advice to manage their land to benefit wildlife and tackle climate change.

The Churnet Valley is a thriving example of healthy nature and tourism through improvements in sustainable farming, forestry and rivers. Everyone will have access to enough natural green space near to their home, publicly owned green spaces and buildings will be more wildlife friendly and many new developments will meet Building with Nature standards. Nature based solutions will help tackle the effects of climate change.

Nature in Your Neighbourhood

Nature in Your Neighbourhood is a five-year innovative community-led project in collaboration with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. Its focus is to support communities in the Staffordshire Moorlands to improve green spaces where they live and monitor habitat health. It's hoped that over time, this project will highlight how much biodiversity benefits both people and the planet.