A wildlife charity is urging the government to heighten its ambitions at this month's COP28 conference.

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) has called on the government to "put nature recovery centre stage", act faster to reduce emissions, and "champion goals on adaptation and the loss and damage fund".

BBOWT recently established a £2 million wetland which enhances carbon storage and reduced flood risks.

Last month, the Trust unveiled its largest fundraising initiative, the Nature Recovery Fund, targeting £3 million in three years to boost its local climate and nature crisis response.

Oxford Mail: BBOWT chief executive, Estelle Bailey, said: "This year we found just two dormice at our nature reserves, down from more than 100 in 2004, and we believe the decline is largely down to warming winters disruption their hibernation patterns.

"Our government has a fantastic opportunity to make the UK a world leader in tackling climate change by taking bold, innovative action including nature-based solutions.

"We urge local MPs to pressure this government to make the UK's policies the gold standard at COP28."

Kathryn Brown, director of climate change and evidence for The Wildlife Trusts, added: "The UK has lost its place as a global leader on climate change.

"It's vital that the government recognises the role of nature in addressing climate change, because restoring habitats will go a long way to store carbon and address biodiversity loss in our nature-depleted country."