INDEX
CONSULTATIONS
UK NEWS
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
PROJECTS
PUBLICATIONS
EVENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
CONSULTATIONS
proposed revised methodology for the determination of hazardous substances
Environment Agency Consultation
(Posted 15 June 2011)
Under the domestic legislation that transposes the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) and Groundwater Daughter Directive (2006/118/EC), the UK environment agencies are responsible for considering whether a potential pollutant should be determined to be a hazardous substance or a non-hazardous pollutant. These recent changes in legislation mean that the method formerly used to determine the classification of substances under the old Groundwater Directive (80/68/EEC) needs to be revised. This is the formal consultation on the proposed (new) methodology to determine whether a potential pollutant is a hazardous substance or a non-hazardous pollutant. The Agency is inviting views on their proposed methodology.
The consultation is opened from 1 June 2011 to 24 August 2011.
To view and comment on the consultation visit the Environment Agency website:
(https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/portal/ho/waterqual/wfduk/jagdag)
UK Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Research Strategy
Living With Environmental Change Partners Consultancy
(Posted 15 June 2011)
The draft strategy has been developed by several Government Departments, Agencies and Research Councils working closely together through the Living With Environmental Change partnership (LWEC). Several phases of interaction with researchers and research users have culminated in the latest draft structured around three risk based themes. It highlights priority research areas and outlines how Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management research may be jointly delivered by several LWEC partners. Partners intend that the strategy will:
The consultation will be open for feedback until 17:00 on 8 July 2011.
To view and comment on the consultation visit the LWEC website:
(http://www.lwec.org.uk/node/489)
UK NEWS
The Natural Environment White Paper has been published:
‘The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature’
(Posted 15 June 2011)
This is the first White Paper on the natural environment in 20 years, outlining the Government’s vision for the natural environment over the next 50 years, backed up with practical action to deliver that ambition. The proposals set out a detailed programme of action to repair damage done to the environment in the past, and urges everyone to get involved in helping nature to flourish at all levels – from neighbourhoods to national parks.
The plans contained in the White Paper are directly linked to the groundbreaking research in the National Ecosystem Assessment published recently (see below) that showed the strong economic arguments for safeguarding and enhancing the natural environment.
For further information and to download the White Paper visit the Defra website:
(http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/natural/whitepaper/)
UK National Ecosystem Assessment
Synthesis of the Key Findings
(Posted 15 June 2011)
The UK NEA is an independent study funded by Defra, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Assembly Government, the Northern Ireland Executive, the Natural Environment Research Council and the Economic and Social Research Council. The research forms the basis of a major new independent report – the UK National Ecosystem Assessment (UK NEA) – which reveals that nature is worth billions of pounds to the UK economy. The report strengthens the arguments for protecting and enhancing the environment and will be used by the government to direct policy in future. The UK NEA has used new approaches to estimate the value of the natural world by taking account of the economic, health and social benefits we get from nature. The assessment provides values for a range of ecosystem services to help us fully understand the value of the natural environment and how the benefits to individuals and society as a whole can be better protected and preserved for future generations.
Full text of the press release is available on Defra website:
(http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/06/02/hidden-value-of-nature-revealed/)
Copies of the synthesis report and the full technical findings are available to download from the UK NEA website:
Environment Agency Steps up Monitoring of Rivers
(Posted 15 June 2011)
On Friday 27 May 2011 the Environment Agency announced that their officers are stepping up river monitoring activities to quickly identify impacts on fish and other wildlife as dry conditions continue across many parts of the country. The Environment Agency is closely monitoring fish stocks, including migrating salmon and sea trout, that can be affected by low river flows. Teams are also stepping up checks for pollution incidents, as slow-flowing rivers struggle to dilute contaminants. The organisation is working closely with farmers and other abstractors to find ways to make water resources go further. In parts of the central Fens, some farmers and growers have volunteered to irrigate only at night, significantly reducing the amount of water lost to evaporation.
For more information visit the Agency website:
(http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/130333.aspx?month=5&year=2011)
SEPA UPDATE on Bathing Waters in Scotland
(Posted 15 June 2011)
Every year, between 1 June and 15 September, SEPA monitors the quality of the designated bathing waters and make the information available to everyone through a variety of methods, including online results and at selected sites a daily predictive signage system. At the end of the season in September, samples taken show whether the water quality at a particular site passes the current European standards. This year sees 12 additional beaches due to benefit from new electronic information signs, as well as one new designated bathing water - Monifieth in Angus - bringing Scotland's total number of bathing waters to 83. SEPA have already started collecting samples for their annual bathing waters monitoring programme: the results are available on the SEPA website within a few days of each sampling.
To view the results of the monitoring and for oher information on bathing waters in Scotland visit the SEPA website:
(http://www.sepa.org.uk/water/bathing_waters.aspx)
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
major support for continued specific EU funding tool for the environment and climate action
(Posted 15 June 2011)
Close to 85.8% of respondents to a recent public consultation on the future of LIFE+, the European Commission's environmental funding tool, consider that there is a need for a specific EU financial instrument for environment and climate action. A majority of 54.6% also think that the budget for the instrument should be increased. In the run-up to the next multiannual financial framework 2014-2020, the results of this consultation will feed into an evaluation of the need for a specific environmental and climate action programme in the EU's budget.
Full text of the press release is available on the EUROPA website:
Better environemntal options in flood risk management
(Posted 15 June 2011)
A new web page is now available with more information on the role of natural flood management and the use of green infrastructure to reduce flood risk.
You can visit the web page on the European Commission’s DG Environment website:
(http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/flood_risk/better_options.htm )
WssTP Position Papers to Create a Water fund:
‘Boosting Research and Innovation Fundings for Water’ (25/04/2011)
‘From Challenges to Opportunities: Towards a Common Strategic Framework for EU research and innovation funding’ (20/05/2011)
(Updated 15 June 2011)
WssTP, the European Technology Platform for Water, was created to stimulate a collaborative, innovative, visionary and integrated Research and Technology Development strategy for the European water sector. WssTP advocates launching a “Water Programme” under the future research programmes of the European Commission, the FP8 and the EIP initiative for a Water Efficient Europe. A successful programme will ensure that there is commonality and alignment of strategic goals between the different funding mechanisms promoted by the Commission. The objectives and ambitions of such a programme is to coordinate funds allocated to water research and coordinate with other key challenges that involve directly or indirectly water in their scope i.e. energy, construction, climate change, minerals, agriculture, health…
For further details visit the WssTP website:
(http://www.wsstp.eu/content/default.asp?PageId=964&LanguageId=0)
PROJECTS
UK Launch of the FP7 2012 'Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology' and 'Environment (including climate change)' Themes
14th July, London
(Posted 15 June 2011)
Co-hosted by Defra, BBSRC, NERC and FSA, this information day is for everyone interested in the two key thematic areas of FP7 and taking part in the 2012 calls, due to be published in July.
This meeting will feature:
You can register at:
(http://www.betaeurope.co.uk/Downloads/News/140711%20call%20launch/20110602%20Registration%20form.doc)
or contact Chris Barker: christopher.g.barker@defra.gsi.gov.uk
CCN - Catchment Change Network
(Posted 15 June 2011)
The Catchment Change Network (CCN) is a NERC-funded Knowledge Transfer Network that brings together university scientists with a broad interest in catchment management along with a wide range of practitioners to consider the assessment of future change in catchment systems. CCN will explore the ways in which the latest scientific methodologies can inform this process in the three Focus Areas of flood risk, water scarcity and diffuse pollution. Network activities will include mapping of future research needs in collaboration with a wide variety of potential users, the development of Guides of Best Practice in each focus area and the development of a range of professional training opportunities across science user groups. The major aim of the network will be to integrate modern uncertainty estimation methods linking risk and uncertainty with a move towards adaptive management at the catchment scale.
The Catchment Change Network has the following Objectives:
For further information visit the CCN website: (http://www.catchmentchange.net/)
PUBLICATIONS
Water and Sanitation Services in Europe:
Do Legal Frameworks provide for "Good Governance"?
Dr Mónica García Quesada
UNESCO Centre for Law, Policy and Science, University of Dundee, May 2011, 327 pages
(Posted 15 June 2011)
The report is providing comparative analysis of governance in water services provision (sanitation and water supply) as part of research undertaken for SUEZ ENVIRONMENT.
The aim of this research is to develop an analytical framework to study and compare national governance mechanisms. To do so, the research has analysed the national regulatory measures that ensure water governance concerning water tariff and customer standards setting in six countries: England, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Scotland and Spain. A list of 14 indicators for access to information, public participation and access to justice has been employed to compare and contrast national legal mechanisms across the countries.
To download the report and for more information visit University of Dundee website:
(http://www.dundee.ac.uk/water/projects/watersanitationservicesineurope/)
EVENTS
Resource efficiency - Using less, living better
24 – 27 May 2011, Brussels, Belgium
(Posted 15 June 2011)
This was the 11th edition of Green Week, the biggest annual conference on European environment policy. Over some 40 sessions, the conference addressed the problem of resource depletion and scarcity, and the challenges and opportunities presented by constraints on resources. The conference also showcased public and private strategies that are promoting a shift towards lower carbon use and a more efficient use of resources. Off particular interest were sessions 3.3. and 3.6:
Presentations from the conference are available for download on the Green Week website:
(http://ec.europa.eu/environment/greenweek/)