INDEX

CONSULTATIONS

UK NEWS        

INTERNATIONAL NEWS      

PROJECTS

PUBLICATIONS

EVENTS

 

ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

 

CONSULTATIONS

Environment regulations under the red tape spotlight

(Posted 16 September 2011)

Businesses up and down the country are being invited to contribute ideas on how the Government can cut red tape and regulatory burdens without affecting its responsibilities to protect the environment.  From 1 to 21 September 2011 the Red Tape Challenge (RTC) will be focusing on the 287 environmental regulations that apply to businesses, covering issues such as waste, emissions and wildlife protection. The RTC asks whether existing regulations are providing the environmental protection that is intended and should therefore be retained, or if they are unnecessarily burdensome or redundant and should be scrapped.

For further information visit the Defra website:
(http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/09/01/red-tape-spotlight/)

 

A New Era for the Waterways

A supplementary consultation on certain aspects of the proposed Transfer Order for transferring the functions of British Waterways in England and Wales to a New Waterways Charity and for making consequential provision in Scotland

(Posted 16 September 2011)

Following the consultation held earlier in the year, ‘A New Era for the Waterways’, this is a limited, supplementary consultation on certain aspects of the proposed Transfer Order under the Public Bodies Bill for transferring the functions of British Waterways in England and Wales to a New Waterways Charity and for making consequential provision in Scotland.

The consultation is opened until 24 October 2011.

For further details and information how to respond visit the Defra website:
(http://www.defra.gov.uk/consult/2011/09/12/waterways-1109/)

 

proposal to abolish the Inland Waterways
Advisory Council (IWAC)

Defra Consultation

(Posted 16 September 2011)

The Government announced the intention to abolish IWAC in July last year as part of the Arms Length Bodies Review. As the Government has announced plans to move management of inland waterways from British Waterways and the Environment Agency to a new charity in April 2012, there will no longer be need for an organisation to provide advice for policy development, allowing savings of around £200,000 per year.

Although the Government’s preferred option is to abolish IWAC, Ministers wish to consider respondents’ views before reaching a final decision. The consultation was launched on 22 August 2011 and will last for 12 weeks, closing on 14 November 2011.

For further information visit the Defra website:

(http://www.defra.gov.uk/consult/2011/08/22/waterways-advisory/)

 

Biodiversity 2020: Developing indicators for measuring success

Technical Discussion Paper

 (Posted 16 September 2011)

This document discusses the technical issues and options for developing a set of headline indicators to track progress with the new Strategy for England’s Wildlife and Ecosystem Services, Biodiversity 2020 (see UK News below). It also invites comments on the scope and detail of the indicators. Responses will be used to develop an indicator set that makes best use of available data and is relevant to the strategy, scientifically robust, compact, easily communicated and affordable. Responses should be returned to Defra by 11 November 2011.

The technical discussion paper and the response form to provide feedback are available on the Defra website:

(http://www.defra.gov.uk/consult/2011/08/19/biodiversity-2020/)

 

UK NEWS       

Biodiversity 2020: A strategy for England’s wildlife and ecosystem services

(Posted 16 September 2011)

A new Government strategy for England’s wildlife and ecosystem services has been published. The document sets out the approach to halting the decline in biodiversity over the next decade. There are four priority areas of proposed actions:

  • A more integrated large-scale approach to conservation on land and at sea
  • Putting people at the heart of biodiversity policy
  • Reducing environmental pressures (agriculture, forestry, planning and development, water management, marine management and fisheries)
  • Improving our knowledge

Defra have also produced a technical discussion paper on a new set of indicators to measure progress on Biodiversity 2020 – see Consultations above.

For more information and to download the document visit the Defra website:
(http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/natural/biodiversity/)

 

Enabling the Transition to a Green Economy: government and business working together

(Posted 16 September 2011)

The Government looks ahead to 2020 and maps out planned Government action across areas including climate change, resource efficiency, waste prevention, carbon capture and storage, offshore wind generation, and the Green Deal. It will form the basis for continuing dialogue between government, business and communities.

The document has been developed by Defra, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), and the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) in response to requests from the private sector for greater clarity on what government means by a ‘green economy’, the policies being put in place to achieve this, and how they come together.

For full text of the news release and to access the document visit the Defra website:
(http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/08/05/encouraging-green-growth/)

 

Catchment based approach to deliver Integrated Catchment Management in England

(Posted 16 September 2011)

On World Water Day In March 2011 the Environment Minister Richard Benyon launched the catchment management approach for river basin management for England and Wales. In England, the Agency is hosting pilots to trial improved ways of engaging with local organisations in ten catchments within a ‘pilot’ phase until December 2012, and would like others to get involved. They are also encouraging other organisations to host catchment pilots outside of these ten, with their support. Since the announcement of the catchment based approach the Agency has set up a website and, on 30 August 2011, published a supporting guidance ‘Extending the catchment-based approach. How the Environment Agency will support and assist others’, inviting others to play a ‘hosting’ role within catchments during the pilot phase and beyond.

For further information visit the new Environment Agency website:
(http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/planning/131506.aspx

 

Environment Agency reveals the most improved rivers

(Posted 16 September 2011)

On 30 August 2011 the Environment Agency released its list of the 10 most improved rivers. The transformation of these rivers has been achieved thanks to thousands of habitat improvement projects, tighter regulation of polluting industries and work with farmers, businesses and water companies to reduce pollution and improve water quality.

River habitats have also benefited from reductions in the volume of water taken by water companies, farmers and industry. The Environment Agency has reviewed thousands of abstraction licences and is amending those that were causing environmental damage.

The following rivers are included in the list: The River Wandle, London, River Thames, River Wear, County Durham, River Stour, Worcestershire, The River Darent, Kent, The River Dee, Wales and North West England, River Nar, Norfolk, River Taff in south Wales, River Stour, Dorset and The Mersey Basin, North West.

For further information visit the Environment Agency website:
(http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/132754.aspx)

 

The Chemical Analysis of Water Status (Technical Specifications) Directions 2011

Direction to the Environment Agency, ISBN 978-0-85521-498-2

(Posted 16 September 2011)

The Directions transpose the QAQC Directive (Directive 2009/90/EC) which lays down technical specifications for chemical analysis and monitoring of water status in accordance with the WFD. The Directions require the Environment Agency to apply the technical specifications to the relevant analytical procedures. These Directions came into force on 20 August 2011.

The document can be accessed from the Defra website:
(http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/water/legislation/water-framework-directive/)

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Roadmap- Fitness Check- Freshwater Policy

(Posted 16 September 2011)

As part of its smart regulation policy, the European Commission announced in its Work Programme for 2010 that, "to keep current regulation fit for purpose, the Commission will begin reviewing, from this year onwards, the entire body of legislation in selected policy fields through "fitness checks". The purpose is to identify excessive burdens, overlaps, gaps, inconsistencies and/or obsolete measures which may have appeared over time. Pilot exercises will start in 2010 in four areas: environment, transport, employment and social policy, and industrial policy." In the area of environment, the protection of EU freshwater resources has been selected as the pilot area.

DG Environment is preparing for 2012 a Blueprint to Safeguard Europe's Water. The Blueprint will synthesise policy recommendations building on three on going assessments: 1) the assessment of the River Basin Management Plans delivered by the Member States under the Water Framework Directive, 2) the review of the policy on Water Scarcity and Drought and 3) the assessment of the vulnerability of water resources to climate change and other man made pressures. Against that background, the Fitness Check will be a building block of the Blueprint. Its objective will be to assess the effectiveness of the policy measures taken. DG Environment of the European Commission has now published a Fitness Check Roadmap for Freshwater Policy.

The document and other information on the Blueprint and the Fitness Check are available on the DG Environment website:
(http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/blueprint/fitness_en.htm)

 

Support studies and assessments for the Blueprint to safeguard Europe's Waters

(Posted 16 September 2011)

The Impact Assessment of the Blueprint to safeguard Europe's Waters will rely on an integrated analysis framework based on 3 main elements:

  • The setting up of water and ecosystem accounts, at river basin level, enabling a precise quantification of pressures on water resources and of sectoral/geographical variations.
  • An integrated modelling framework, linking land-use, hydrological and resource efficiency models and enabling the proper quantitative assessment of the scenarios and the policy options.
  • Knowledge mapping, identifying the key relations between driving forces, pressures, states, impacts and policy responses, and providing access to reports, research projects and case studies. This mapping will also enable the identification of knowledge gaps.

DG Environment has launched, or will launch, a set of contracts, which cover large parts of the scope of the Blueprint Impact Assessment.

Summaries of the contracts and further details on the ongoing and planned work is available on the Blueprint website of Environment DG:  (http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/blueprint/ia_en.htm)

 

The 6th World Water Forum Thematic Targets now published

(Posted 16 September 2011)

The Forum priorities - driving the contributions of the world water community towards a more healthy, peaceful, prosperous and resilient blue planet – are now translated in concrete thematic targets. Building on the 6th World Water Forum’s 12 priorities for action (PFA) and 3 conditions for success (CS), the Thematic Process working groups have developed and agreed on 103 concrete targets, to be reached through an action plan and within a defined timeframe. These targets have been identified through a Wide-Involvement Stakeholder Exchanges (WISE) approach. In partnership with the Inclusive growth – a high-employment economy delivering economic, social and territorial cohesion International Forum Committee and the Forum secretariat based in Marseille, over 300 institutions, non-governmental organisations and international networks will now be working together - in 150 working groups - coming from all continents and all fields, technical and scientific, social and educational, humanitarian, and dedicated to identifying key solutions and commitments to help reach these ambitious targets.

For further information and to view the targets visit the Forum website:
(http://www.worldwaterforum6.org/index.php?id=80&no_cache=1&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=184)

The 12 Specific Europe Region Priority Targets (SERPT) prepared by the Europe Region Preparatory Process are available on the Europe Region website:

(http://world-water-forum-2012-europa.eu/spip.php?article99)

 

THE ROLE OF REGIONAL AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT

Opinion of the European Union’s Committee of the Regions
(CoR) ENVE-V-008

(Posted 16 September 2011)

The Commission, Council and the European Parliament are obliged to consult the CoR whenever new proposals are made in areas that have repercussions at regional or local level. The CoR can also draw up an opinion on its own initiative, which enables it to put issues on the EU agenda. The work carried out through the CoR's Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform supports and enriches the work of the CoR's Commissions in their drawing up of Europe 2020-related opinions along the three Europe 2020 priorities:

  1. Smart growth – an economy based on knowledge and innovation
  2. Sustainable growth – promoting a more resource efficient, greener and more competitive economy
  3. Inclusive growth – a high-employment economy delivering economic, social and territorial cohesion

This Opinion, drafted by Nichi Vendola, President of Italy’s Puglia region and adopted at the Committee’s 91st plenary session, puts forward a number of proposals. Among others it ‘proposes, not least in relation to the requirements ensuing from implementation of Directive 2000/60/EC, that sustainable water management should have a specific, verifiable target for 2020: 1) a 20% increase in water-saving in all sectors of use; 2) a 20% increase in the number of water courses being re-naturalised, inter alia in order to reduce flood risk; 3) a 20% increase in the volume of water re-used and/or recycled in farming and industry; to that end, calls for direct involvement of the Covenant of Mayors.’

For further details and to view the document visit the CoR website:
(http://portal.cor.europa.eu/europe2020/Pages/CoREurope2020RelatedOpinions.aspx)

 

PROJECTS

Launch of new GEF project on "Groundwater Governance"

(Posted 16 September 2011)

The UNESCO International Hydrological Programme (IHP) together with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) has initiated a new Project on "Groundwater Governance" financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The overall project objective is to increase the awareness on the paramount importance of a sound management of our groundwater resources in preventing and reversing the global water crisis. The project will develop a global "Framework of Action" (FA), consisting of a menu of best practices for the sustainable management of groundwater resources.

The project has duration of three years. The inception meeting of the project has taken place at UNESCO Headquarters on 6-7 September 2011.

Full text of the news release is available on the UNESCO website:
(http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/launch_of_new_gef_project_on_groundwater_governance/)

 

THE ENPI-SEIS PROJECT

Towards a Shared Environmental Information System (SEIS) in the European Neighbourhood

(Posted 16 September 2011)

The Shared Environmental Information System (SEIS) is a European Union initiative to modernise and simplify the collection, exchange and use of the data and information required for designing and implementing environmental policy. The ENPI-SEIS project was launched to promote the protection of the environment in the European Neighbourhood region through the European Neighbourhood Partnership Instrument (ENPI). The project is implemented by the European Environment Agency (EEA) together with the partner countries in the period 2010–2014. This project aims to help to develop the capacities of the relevant authorities in the areas of cooperation, networking, monitoring, data management, assessment and indicator-based reporting on the environment.

For further information visit the project’s website: (http://enpi-seis.ew.eea.europa.eu/)

 

PUBLICATIONS

Towards Integrated Urban Water Management

GWP Perspectives Paper

(Posted 16 September 2011)

The Global Water Partnership, (GWP) was founded in 1996 by the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) to foster integrated water resource management (IWRM). The network is open to all organisations involved in water resources management: developed and developing country government institutions, agencies of the United Nations, bi- and multi-lateral development banks, professional associations, research institutions, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector. This GWP Perspectives Paper, launched at the 2011 Stockholm World Water Week, outlines the effects of urbanization on water security and how the challenges of urban water resources management can be tackled.

The paper is available to download on the GWP website:
(http://www.gwp.org/en/gwp-in-action/News-and-Activities/Towards-Integrated-Urban-Water-Management/)

 

Social Equity and Integrated Water Resources Management

Global Water Partnership Technical Committee
Background Paper No. 15

Humberto Peña, 2011, 88 pages

(Posted 16 September 2011)

Social equity is the least understood of the 3 E’s (equity, economic efficiency and environmental sustainability) in the concept of integrated water resources management. This new   Technical Committee Background Paper sets out an overarching framework for the analysis of equity in the context of water development and management. It is intended as an aid to decision makers in designing policies, interventions, and programs aimed at the equitable distribution of benefits from water resources.

The paper is available to download on the GWP website:
(http://www.gwp.org/gwp-in-action/News-and-Activities/Social-Equity-and-IWRM---New-Background-Paper-by-the-GWP-Technical-Committee/)

 

Guidance for administrations on making WFD AGRICULTURAL measures clear and transparent at farm level

European Commission, Directorate-General Environment Directorate D - Water, Chemicals & Biotechnology

(Posted 16 September 2011)

This guidance document is being developed through a collaborative programme involving the WFD Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) partners. The guidance includes results from the discussion that took place at the CIS workshop on "Clear measures for farmers" on 6 April 2011, Brussels and from the comments and examples received from the partners and the SCG. The preparation of the guidance is supported by Ecologic Institute, Berlin. This guidance was endorsed by the Water Directors in Budapest the 26 May 2011.

The guidance document provides a tool to assist the WFD (Water Framework Directive) implementation at the farm level, giving advice to national and river basin management authorities on how mandatory and voluntary measures included within the WFD Programmes of Measures can be made operational at the farm level.

For more details and to download the document visit the Ecologic website:

(http://ecologic.eu/4194 )

 

Big Cities. Big Water. Big Challenges. Water in an Urbanizing World

Report from WWF Germany

Katalina Engel, et al

(Posted 16 September 2011)

A new WWF report was published during World Water Week in Stockholm in August 2011. It is projected that 70 % of the world’s population will live in urban areas by 2050. Urban

growth today is most rapid in developing countries, where cities gain an average of 5 million residents each month. Megacities and metacities – defined by UN Habitat as cities with more than 10 million inhabitants or 20 million inhabitants respectively – are

gaining ground in Asia, Latin America and Africa. In most developing countries, urban growth is inextricably linked with slum expansion and poverty; in 2000, nearly one third of the world’s urban dwellers lived in slums. As city infrastructure cannot keep pace with massive urban growth, many people are left without adequate access to drinking water and sanitation. With a changing climate that can modify all elements of the water cycle, cities are particularly vulnerable to increased risks of flooding, insufficient provision of water in quantity and quality, sanitation, drainage, and effects on ecosystem services within and in the surrounding areas. Urban water management must integrate a larger proportion of solutions like raising awareness to reduce consumption, law enforcement and controls, reuse and recycling of stormwater and wastewater, corporate water stewardship, economic and fiscal incentives and instruments, cost recovery, integrated river basin management, payment for environmental services, and climate change adaptation.

For further information and to download the report visit the WWF website:
(http://wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?5202/Megacities-in-water-crisis)

 

Economic Valuation of the Benefits of Ecosystem Services delivered by the UK Biodiversity Action Plan

Final Report, Defra Project SFFSD 0702

Mike Christie, et al, 162 pages, August 2011

(Posted 16 September 2011)

The research, commissioned by Defra (and partners) in 2008, was undertaken by a consortium led by Aberystwyth University. Research had already been undertaken to estimate the costs and expenditure related to meeting the UK BAP. This study was intended to provide estimates of the benefits associated with meeting the UK BAP to complement the costs work.

The report is available for download at the Defra website: (http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/natural/biodiversity/uk/)

 

Catchment Sensitive Farming evaluation

(Posted 16 September 2011)

The first five years of CSF has recently been evaluated. Diffuse pollution is a complex issue and there is significant uncertainty associated with measuring the benefits of mitigation. To address this, the approach draws on data and information from a range of sources to develop the overall evidence for the benefits of CSF. These include farmer engagement, farmer awareness and attitude, uptake of measures to control pollution and pollutant losses and water quality

The evaluation of the first 5 years of CSF shows that:

  • CSF advice has been delivered to over 9,000 farms covering an area of 1.3 million hectares
  • 64% of farms have implemented more than half of the specific recommendations to reduce water pollution - in total 93,000 recommendations were made
  • Monitored pollutant levels have reduced by up to 30%

The results of the evaluation, a high level summary report and a detailed Phase 1 & 2 Evaluation Report, are available to download at the Natural England website:

(http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/farming/csf/evaluation.aspx)

 

Benefits of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in England and Wales

(Posted 16 September 2011)

A study commissioned by Defra was prepared by GHK Consulting Ltd, in conjunction with Dr Mike Christie of Aberystwyth University, ADAS, IEEP, Rick Minter and the Research Box. Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) represent the principal national designation for places of importance for biodiversity and geodiversity in Great Britain. They are protected by law, and effort and resources are devoted to achieve sympathetic management to maintain their conservation interest. Defra commissioned the research in order to inform future policy for SSSIs. This report presents the findings of a study of the benefits of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in England and Wales.

The report is available for download at the Defra website: (http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/natural/biodiversity/uk/)

 

Scottish CAR Practical Guide, Version six now available

(Posted 16 September 2011)

An updated version of the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 (CAR) Practical Guide is now available on SEPA website. This is the sixth version of the guide and will only be available electronically.

To download the guide visit the SEPA website:

(http://www.sepa.org.uk/water/water_publications.aspx?utm_source=Update+standard+list&utm_campaign=cdb174dad9-SEPA_Update_0209119_02_2011&utm_medium=email)

 

WITUK 2009/10 - Waterbirds in the UK 2009/10

The Wetland Bird Survey

Chas Holt, et al

Published by British Trust for Ornithology, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

and Joint Nature Conservation Committee in association with Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, July 2011

(Posted 16 September 2011)

The Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) is a joint scheme of the BTO, RSPB and JNCC, in association with WWT, to monitor non-breeding waterbirds in the UK. The principal aims of the scheme are to identify population sizes, determine trends in numbers and distribution, and identify important sites for waterbirds. WeBS Core Counts are made annually at

approximately 2,000 wetland sites of all habitats. Estuaries and large still waters predominate. Monthly coordinated counts are made mostly by volunteers, principally

from September to March, with fewer observations during summer months. This report presents total numbers counted for all species in the most recent year in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The survey document is available to download from the BTO website:
(http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/webs/publications/wituk-200910)

 

EVENTS

World Water Week

Responding to Global Changes: Water in an Urbanising World

21 – 27 August 2011, Stockholm, Sweden

(Posted 16 September 2011)

The World Water Week (WWW) is hosted and organised by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) and takes place each year in Stockholm. WWW has been the annual focal point for the globe's water issues since 1991. The event closed with assembled participants supporting a "Stockholm Statement to the 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro (Rio+20 Summit,)". The Stockholm Statement calls on leadership at all levels of government that will participate at the Rio+20 Summit (4-6 June 2012) to commit to achieving "universal provisioning of safe drinking water, adequate sanitation and modern energy services by the year 2030" and to adopt intervening targets to increase efficiency in the management of water, energy and food. The targets include to be achieved by the year 2020:

  • 20% increase in total food supply-chain efficiency
  • 20% increase in water efficiency in agriculture
  • 20% increase in water use efficiency in energy production 
  • 20% increase in the quantity of water reused 
  • 20% decrease in water pollution

Full text of the Stockholm Statement, presentations, background documents, press releases, photographs and other information from the event are available on the World Water Week website: (http://www.worldwaterweek.org/)

 

Water management, Water Framework Directive & Hydropower

Common Implementation Strategy Workshop

13-14 September 2011, Brussels, Belgium

(Posted 16 September 2011)

The Water Directors have agreed to continue the Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) activity on the “Water Framework Directive and hydromorphological pressures” as ad hoc activity „Hydromorphology“. The continued activity (Phase 2010-12) focuses on the exchange of information, experiences and examples via workshops. In this context, the Water Directors decided at their meeting in Spa (2-3 December 2010) to carry out a 2nd workshop on Water Framework Directive (WFD) and hydropower. The key aim of this workshop is information exchange on legal requirements and technical tools of European States in order to implement measures for the improvement and achievement of good ecological status or potential, incentives which aim at supporting hydropower and improving water status/potential, strategic planning tools on the catchment scale for new hydropower plants as well as approaches for implementing Article 4.7 of the WFD.

An Issue Paper draft, The European State questionnaires on Hydropower and the WFD, EC Study Hydropower Generation in the context of the EU WFD and other supporting documents are available on the workshop’s website. The purpose of the Issue Paper is to stimulate discussions by providing up-to-date information on hydropower and WFD implementation in the European States. The paper also aims at identifying issues that should be discussed, by proposing some key topics to be addressed at the workshop.

For further information visit the workshop’s website: (http://www.ecologic-events.de/hydropower2/index.htm)

 

Stormwater Management – What about Quality

12 May 2011, Arup Campus, Solihull

(Posted 16 September 2011)

A question of quality set the agenda for a keynote industry conference, hosted by Hydro International, to discuss the future of urban stormwater management and surface water treatment in the UK.

The speakers’ presentations are available to download on the Engineering Nature’s Way:

(http://www.engineeringnaturesway.co.uk/2011/stormwater-management-what-about-quality-conference-12-5-11/)