Why Town and Parish Councils Must Act Now on Biodiversity: Your Legal Duties Under the Environment Act 2021

Environment Act 2021: Support for ongoing policy & delivery duties

The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. In response, new legislative frameworks - most notably the Environment Act 2021 - now require local authorities, including town and parish councils, to take active steps to protect and enhance biodiversity.

If you're a councillor or clerk wondering what your obligations are - or how to fulfil them - this guide is for you.

Understanding Your Biodiversity Duty

🌿 The Environment Act 2021

The Environment Act 2021 established a mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) regime for planning authorities in England, and reaffirmed biodiversity duties for public authorities. Key provisions include:

• Section 102: Introduces a statutory duty for public authorities to “have regard” to the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity.

• Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS): Councils are expected to contribute to the development and implementation of these strategies.

• Biodiversity Reports: Authorities must publish biodiversity reports every five years, detailing how they are meeting their duties.

  
  

For town and parish councils, this means you must not only consider biodiversity in your decision-making—but also take action to enhance it and report transparently on your efforts.

📚 Read more in the House of Commons Library briefing on biodiversity loss and obligations

Your Legal Obligations in Wales: Section 6 of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016

In Wales, the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 applies, and Section 6 places a biodiversity and resilience of ecosystems duty on all public bodies—including town and community councils.

This requires you to:

• Maintain and enhance biodiversity

• Promote the resilience of ecosystems

• Integrate biodiversity considerations into all your activities

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You are also expected to publish a report every three years showing how you’ve complied with this duty.

📘 More on Section 6 guidance and reporting

The Pain Points Town and Parish Councils Face

Many local councils are unsure about:

• Where to start with their Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs)

• How to interpret their duties under the Environment Act 2021 or Section 6

• What practical steps can be taken within budget and resource constraints

• How to compile and publish biodiversity reports that meet legal requirements

  
  

This is where Green Council Biodiversity Solutions steps in.

How We Can Help

At Green Council Biodiversity Solutions, we specialise in helping town and parish councils meet their biodiversity duties efficiently, affordably, and with confidence.

Our Services Include:

• ✅ Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) tailored to your local priorities and legal obligations

• ✅ Habitat mapping and assessment to identify opportunities for nature recovery

• ✅ Public consultation support to engage residents and stakeholders

• ✅ Monitoring and reporting templates to simplify compliance with the Environment Act or Section 6

• ✅ Training and capacity building for councillors and officers

Whether you're starting from scratch or refining existing work, we help you embed biodiversity into your council’s DNA.

🌱 Explore our full list of services here

Be Proactive. Lead Locally. Act Now.

Nature needs our help - and town and parish councils have a unique, on-the-ground role to play. Acting early not only helps you stay compliant, it also:

• Enhances community wellbeing

• Supports local climate resilience

• Demonstrates civic leadership

• Attracts funding and partnerships

  
  

Let us guide you from uncertainty to action.

👉 Contact us today to start your council’s Biodiversity Action Plan

Together, we can turn your legal duties into local environmental leadership.