United Kingdom
Wildlife & habitats
Guidance has been produced by DEFRA to be used when applying the requirements of the Habitats Regulation 1994 (SI 1994 No 2716) and the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 to applications for Pollution Prevention and Control permits. It advises local authorities on assessing applications for permits which might affect protected sites such as SSSIs, Natura 2000 network sites such as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs), and important wetland sites. The guidance contains a procedures flowchart to clarify the steps to be taken, advice on carrying out a conservation assessment and the details of local nature conservation agencies.
(DEFRA, 22 December 2003)
The Haskins report on England's wildlife, habitats and countryside agencies has been published. In this review of 'rural delivery' the delivery of policy was described as confusing for customers and too bureaucratic and centralised. It recommends the formation of a Land Management Agency with a remit of promoting and delivering rural economic development. This will be formed by the amalgamation of English Nature, the Countryside Agency and the Rural Development Service. The new integrated agency, which would provide independent policy advice and implement policy, would have responsibility for biodiversity, natural resource protection and landscape issues. Both the EA and English Nature welcomed the proposals for an integrated management body for the natural environment, provided it is independent of the government and able to give advice based on sound science and practical experience. Friends of the Earth, however, has accused the government of seeking to downgrade the role of English Nature for its past record of challenging the government on issues such as GM crops and development of roads, ports and airports, and in order to prevent it objecting to plans for future developments.
(DEFRA, November 2003; Friends of the Earth Press Release, 4 November 2003)
The first progress report on the implementation of England's biodiversity strategy, launched in October 2002, 'Working with the Grain of Nature,' describes the progress during the first year of implementation. The strategy contained eight headline indicators selected to give a broad overview of trends, as well as proposals for further indicators. The report concludes that a good start has been made with regard to several indicators and trends, although it says that there is still much to do, particularly with regard to progress across sectors and agencies to protect eco-systems. The strategy is intended to ensure that biodiversity considerations become an integral part of all main sectors of public policy and sets out a programme for the next five years to conserve eco-systems.
(DEFRA, 1 December 2003)
The latest figures, for 2002, for the number of wild birds has shown that the population status of 106 species in the UK is 13% higher than in 1970. Since around 1974, the overall population of breeding birds in the UK has been relatively stable. However, the population of farmland birds has declined steadily since the early 1970s and is currently 60% below the 1970 level. This decline has lessened in recent years with the 2002 level similar to the 2000 population level. The woodland bird indicator has also declined, being 20% lower than in the early 1970s. The wild bird population is used as one of the government's headline indicators for sustainable development which measures the quality of life and whether or not this is improving. It is one of 15 such indicators and is thought to be a good indicator of the state of the wildlife and countryside environment.
(DEFRA News Release, 1 December 2003)
Ragwort
The Ragwort Control Act 2003 has now been published. It amends the Weeds Act 1959 by allowing a Code of Practice for providing guidance on the prevention on the spread of Ragwort. The Act will come into force in February 2004.
(SO, 20 November 2003)
Nature conservation – Scotland
A Nature Conservation Bill has been launched by the Scottish Executive. It contains a framework of measures to conserve biodiversity, reform and provide incentives to landowners for the protection of SSSIs, as well as having a variety of other provisions aimed at protecting natural habitats and vulnerable animals and plants. The Bill was published in draft form in March 2003.
(SO, October 2003)
SSSIs
English Nature has published a report on the condition of SSSIs in England. It was produced after a six-year survey and is the first definitive report on the subject. There are over 4,000 SSSIs in England covering around 7% of the total land area. The results showed that 58% of SSSIs, by area, are in good condition, with 42% needing some improvement. The government has a commitment to the public to ensure 95% of all SSSIs are in favourable condition by 2010. The reasons highlighted for poor conditions were overgrazing, inappropriate moor burning, inappropriate coastal management and poor fresh water quality and quantity.
(English Nature, December 2003)
Aviation
Government policy on aviation covering the next 30 years has been unveiled in the long-awaited White Paper. It has given the go-ahead for a massive expansion in air travel by supporting a new runway at Stansted in 2011-2012, and a third runway and a possible Terminal 6 at Heathrow in 2015-2020. However, these will be subject to environmental conditions concerning noise and air pollution. It stated that the government remained committed to ensuring that aviation met the external costs imposed by air travel, and sets out proposals to address greenhouse gas emissions and noise. The White Paper also sets out proposals for continued growth at a number of other airports in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
(Department for Transport, December 2003)
Buildings
The ODPM has issued possible future performance standards for Part L of the Building Regulations. Under the Building (Amendment) Regulations 2001 (SI 2001 No 3335) energy performance standards were upgraded in the first of four stages of proposed improvements expected to be introduced up to 2008. The government announced in its February 2003 Energy White Paper that the next major review of the Building Regulations would be brought into effect in 2005. The ODPM's publication is its initial response to the announcement. It covers the range of improvements that might be achievable by 2005. It also takes into account the EU Directive on Energy Performance of Buildings (2002/91/ EC), which must be transposed into domestic law by January 2006, as the provisions of this Directive are broader than those covered by Part L.
(ODPM, October 2003)
A new Sustainable Buildings Task Group has been set up. It consists of representatives from the building industry, developers, planners and environmental advisors and is aimed at increasing the environmental quality of buildings. The task group will concentrate on four areas, namely water, energy, timber and other construction materials and waste reduction, in an attempt to increase the sustainable development contributions of buildings. It is looking to identify the specific cost-effective improvements in building performance and further action that government could take. Buildings currently contribute nearly half of the UK's carbon dioxide emissions, and households use over half of water supplied. The group will be co-chaired by representatives from the EA and from English Partnerships.
(DEFRA News Releases, 21 October 2003; 21 November 2003)
The Building and Building (Approved Inspectors etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (SI 2003 No 3133), which came into force on 31 December, have postponed the introduction of sound insulation testing for erection of a dwelling house or a building containing flats until 1st July 2004. The Building (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002 No 2871) and the Building (Approved Inspectors etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002 No 2872) introduced a requirement for sound insulation testing into the corresponding 2000 Regulations. This was originally to have come into force on 1 January 2004.
(SO, 1 December 2003)
Waste and emissions trading
The Waste and Emissions Trading Bill has received Royal Assent. It is aimed at combating emissions of greenhouse gases to deliver targets set by the Kyoto Protocol, and reducing the generation of waste to fulfil targets set by the Landfill Directive (99/31/EC). The Act provides the legislative framework for trading, which allows reductions to be made where it is most cost-effective to do so. In relation to waste, the scheme will give local authorities flexibility by allowing waste disposal authorities to trade their landfill allowances with other disposal authorities to find the most cost effective way of diverting waste from landfill. There is likely to be consultation on draft regulations and guidance relating to these measures early in 2004. The UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme, which was launched in April 2002, is put on a statutory footing by the Act.
(SO, November 2003)
EU legislation
A report on improving implementation of EU legislation in the UK has put forward ideas for improving procedures, as well as highlighting existing best practice. It is suggested that: there should be increased use of cross-Whitehall EU Directive project teams, such as currently exists for UK Bills; more copying out of ambiguous EU legislation rather than including elaborate clarification when transposing into UK law; and setting up an independent body of lawyers with drafting expertise at EU level. The report is the initial phase of a consultation process involving all affected government departments, business and other stakeholders. One of the major concerns of the report is that more stringent implementation of EU directives in the UK than in other EU countries can put UK businesses at a disadvantage. On the other hand, loose transposition can lead to actions brought by the European Court of Justice.
(Foreign and Commonwealth Office News Release,
24 November 2003)
Procurement
The government has announced that from 1 November 2003 all new central government department contracts must apply minimum environmental standards, such as energy efficiency, recycled content and biodegradability, when purchasing a range of products. Products covered range from detergents and compost to lighting systems and paper. Revised guidance has been issued by DEFRA to assist government departments in achieving
their aim.
(DEFRA News Release, 30 October 2003)
Ethical consumerism
The Co-operative Bank has claimed that ethical consumption in the UK was worth £19.86 billion in 2002. It says that over half of UK shoppers have deliberately avoided at least one product because of their principles. Although the total market share of ethical goods is still relatively low at 2%, it is growing with ethical banking, energy and food products all identified as growth areas. Sales of energy efficient household appliances were found to have a market share of 41%.
(BBC News Online, 8 December 2003)
Congestion charge
The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), a leading think tank with connections in government, academia and corporate and voluntary sectors, has set out its thoughts on congestion charging. Its report says that congestion charges should be introduced nationally, in addition to retaining fuel taxes, to reduce traffic volume and the resulting pollution. It also says that road tax should be abolished. Traffic is forecast to grow between 20%-25% by 2010, resulting increasing carbon dioxide emissions which could lead to the government missing its target for greenhouse gas reductions. The report also says that introducing congestion charging would not only reduce traffic levels but also provide a source of revenue for improved public transport.
(IPPR, October 2003)
A review of the first six months of operation of the Central London Congestion Charge has found that traffic levels, congestion and the number of accidents has been reduced, while there has been improvements in public transport. In its report, Transport for London also said that there has been increased public support for the scheme and that initial concerns over the impact on economic activity have not materialised.
(Transport for London, October 2003)
Environmental management systems
The EA has issued a position statement on environmental management systems (EMSs), which says that it considers legal compliance and good environmental performance to be fundamental. It states that it recognises EMSs in its Operator and Pollution Risk Appraisal (OPRA) scheme, a risk-based approach to regulation. However, it voices concerns over the consistency of certification bodies which assess site performance. Although it acknowledges that an EMS provides an important means for companies to manage their environmental impact, it also says that there should be an increased awareness of the robustness in the way in which they are administered and monitored.
(EA, December 2003)
European Union
Tourism
The European Commission has announced plans to establish a tourism sustainability group in a new Communication. The Communication is intended to boost EU-wide activities to enhance the economic, social and environmental sustainability of tourism. It also says that there should be proactive co-operation among those involved in the industry, including tourist destinations and national, regional and local authorities. Recognising the importance of the tourism sector, it says that such measures are necessary to ensure the future viability, continued growth, competitiveness and commercial success. The proposals build on a draft Communication published earlier in 2003. Communications are issued by the Commission to set out future action
plans and may or may not include legislative proposals.
(COM (2003) 716, 21 November 2003)
CSR
A new management framework has been developed to provide companies with practical tools to implement, measure and assess corporate responsibility and sustainable performance practices. The European Corporate Sustainability Framework (ECSF) is funded under Article 6 of the European Social Fund Regulation and is led by a University in Rotterdam. Its remit is to develop a business framework to improve CSR practices. The framework works on the premise that CSR is the way forward for improvement of business performance. Additional funding is now being sought to finish the project and to set up pilot studies in real business situations.
(ECSF, October 2003)
