INDEX
CONSULTATIONS
UK NEWS
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
PROJECTS
PUBLICATIONS
EVENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
CONSULTATIONS
Delivering Sustainable Flood Risk Management
Scottish Government Consultation
(Posted 21 January 2011)
This consultation document provides statutory guidance to SEPA, local authorities and Scottish Water on fulfilling their responsibilities under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009. It also provides contextual information on how these responsibilities align with the Government's wider policy framework for improving how flood risk is managed.
The period of consultation runs from 18 January 2011 to 18 March 2011.
The consultation document is available on the Scottish Government website:
(http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/01/14152758/0)
Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2010 - Proposals to Introduce Standard Rules
Scottish Government Consultation
(Posted 21 January 2011)
A consultation paper on proposals to amend the Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2000 (PPC). The proposals are to introduce standard rules within the PPC regime and to make additional amendments to the current PPC provisions.
This consultation seeks views on the proposals themselves and on the way in which the Scottish Government proposes to introduce the amendments through secondary legislation. The proposals are designed to ensure that the regulatory controls under the PPC Regulations are proportionate to the risk to the environment and human health.
The consultation remains open until 9 March 2011.
The consultation document is available on the Scottish Government website:
(http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/12/14095542/11)
future EU financial instrument for the environment
(continuation of LIFE+)
European Commission Consultation
(Posted 06 January 2011)
The European Commission has launched an online public consultation. The objective of the consultation is to gather views on the next financial instrument for the environment for the period 2014 –2020, especially its objectives and activities. The online consultation is one part of the wider public consultation, responses to which will be taken into account in the European Commission’s proposal for a new financial instrument for the environment following an assessment of its social, economic and environmental impacts. It is targeted at national, regional and local administrators, environmental stakeholders and general public.
The period of consultation runs from 30 November 2010 to 15 February 2011.
For further information and to submit your contribution visit the Europa website:
(http://ec.europa.eu/environment/consultations/life.htm)
Better environmental regulation: SEPA’s change proposals
Scottish Environment Protection Agency Consultation
(Posted 06 January 2011)
This consultation sets out some significant changes that SEPA is proposing in order to improve, simplify and better integrate the environmental protection and improvement services it provides for Scotland. The change proposals are focused on achieving simpler, more integrated, more proportionate, and more effective regulation. The proposals are about actively regulating the higher environmental risks and focusing their effort more on poor performers, enabling to reduce effort on consistently high performers and the lower risk activities.
The consultation remains open until 14 February 2011.
For further information visit the SEPA website:
(http://www.sepa.org.uk/about_us/consultations.aspx)
SEPA Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act consultation responses released
(Posted 06 January 2011)
The Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 (the FRM Act) transposes the EU Directive on the assessment and management of flood risk (the Floods Directive) and introduces a new approach to managing flooding in Scotland. The consultation Planning for floods - planning for the future on establishing a framework for partnership working closed on 15 October 2010. A summary of responses to the consultation is now available on the SEPA website:
(http://www.sepa.org.uk/about_us/consultations/closed_consultations.aspx)
For more information on the FRM Act visit the SEPA website:
(http://www.sepa.org.uk/flooding/flood_risk_management.aspx)
Pesticides consultation responses published
(Posted 06 January 2011)
The summary of responses and initial Government response to the consultation on implementing new European pesticides legislation was published on 15 December 2010.
As UK pesticides safety standards are already amongst the highest in Europe, only minor changes are necessary to meet the new requirements, and no compelling evidence was provided in the responses to justify further extending existing regulations and voluntary controls. During 2011 Defra will carry out two further consultations.
For further information and to download the responses document visit the Defra website:
(http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/news/2010/12/15/pesticides/)
UK NEWS
(Posted 21 January 2011)
The year 2011 was designated the International Year of Forests. The Big Tree Plant is a campaign to encourage people and communities to plant more trees in England's towns, cities and neighbourhoods. It is a partnership bringing together national tree-planting organisations and local groups working with Defra and the Forestry Commission to plant trees throughout England. Anybody can get involved by planting and caring for trees to help make neighbourhoods more attractive, healthy places to live.
For further information visit the campaign’s website:
(http://thebigtreeplant.direct.gov.uk/index.html)
NGOs call for stronger role for Parliament in sustainable development
(Posted 21 January 2011)
Report from the Environmental Audit Committee ‘Embedding Sustainable Development across Government’, published on 10 January 2011, confirms that sustainable development has not been fully embedded across Government because the political will to do so has not been maintained. WWF-UK and FDSD (Foundation for Democracy and Sustainable Development) share the Committee’s concern that sustainable development will become sidelined unless it is part of the central change-making mechanisms of Government. The two organisations endorse the Committee’s proposal that a Minister for Sustainable Development be appointed within the Cabinet Office to drive action on sustainable development across government. However, WWF-UK and FDSD warn that it is essential that DEFRA’s existing sustainable development expertise is not watered down.
Full text of the press release is available on the WWF website:
On 4 January 2011 The environment Agency introduced new Civil Sanction powers
(Posted 21 January 2011)
Enforcement and sanctions policy has now changed. Civil Sanctions provide the Environment Agency with new ways to protect the environment. They focus on investment in environmental clean-up rather than costly legal battles. There are six types of civil sanctions:
Civil sanctions will not replace any of the current enforcement tools. They will provide the Agency with a more flexible range, so that they can choose the most appropriate enforcement action when a company causes environmental damage.
For further information visit the Environment Agency website:
(http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/regulation/31851.aspx)
England’s special wildlife sites show dramatic improvement
(Posted 06 January 2011)
Over 95 per cent of England’s finest wildlife and geological sites, covering more than one million hectares of countryside, are now in favourable or recovering condition, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman announced on 30 December 2010. This is a major improvement since 2003, when only 57 per cent of these Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) were in the same condition. It follows seven years of hard work by Defra, in conjunction with Natural England, the Environment Agency, the Forestry Commission and partners from the public, private and voluntary sectors.
Full text of the Press Release and further information are available on the Defra website:
(http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/news/2010/12/30/englands-wildlife/)
Reservoir flood maps published
(Posted 06 January 2011)
To help authorities and emergency services plan for the risk of flooding in the unlikely event that a reservoir failed, maps showing areas that could flood have now been published online. Dam breach and flood modelling techniques were used to produce a national set of reservoir flood maps for England and Wales. The maps were created showing how far flood water would spread from the reservoir in a worst case scenario so that emergency services and councils have all the information they need to put plans in place to protect people. The maps are now available on the Environment Agency website.
The full text of the Press Release is available on the Defra website:
(http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/news/2010/12/16/reservoir-flood-maps/)
The maps can be accessed from the Environment Agency website:
(http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/124783.aspx)
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Launch of the ‘Water for Life’ Best Practices Award
(Posted 21 January 2011)
The United Nations Office to Support the International Decade for Action “Water for Life” 2005-2015/UN-Water Decade Programme on Advocacy and Communication (UNW-DPAC) and the UN World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP) have launched an invitation to submit Best Practice for the 1st edition of the “Water for Life” Best Practices Award. The prize is awarded yearly in two categories, one in best water management practices and another one in best participatory, communication, awareness-raising and education practices. Every year, special emphasis is being put on the theme selected for next World Water Day. In 2011, special focus is given to the topic "Urban Water Management". The prize will be awarded at a special ceremony on World Water Day, 22 March.
For further details visit the United Nations website:
(http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/)
natura 2000: A good day for salmon, otters and beech forests
(Posted 21 January 2011)
Europe's flora and fauna are now better protected than at any time in the history of the European Union. Natura 2000, Europe's network of protected natural areas, has been expanded by nearly 27 000 square kilometres. This includes a major addition of marine areas covering more than 17 500 square kilometres, which will increase protection for many endangered marine species. Natura 2000 now covers almost 18% of the EU's landmass and more than 130 000 km² of its seas. The main countries involved in this latest expansion are the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Spain and Poland. Natura 2000 is the centrepiece of Europe's battle to halt biodiversity loss and safeguard ecosystem services. The latest update concerns fifteen Member States and increases the number of "Sites of Community Importance" by 739.
Full text of the press release is available on the EUROPA website:
Workshop, jointly organised by the Water and Nature Protection Units of the DG Environment in cooperation with a planning group comprising representatives from Member States, on Linkages between Birds & Habitats Directives and Water Framework Directive took place in Brussels on 17-18 June 2010.
Presentations from the workshop, a summary report, the ’Frequently Asked Questions Document’ and other relevant documents are available on the CIRCA site of the workshop:
CEEP position on the proposed EU Regulation limiting phosphates in domestic laundry detergents 23 November 2010
(Posted 21 January 2011)
CEEP (Centre Européen d 'Etudes des Polyphosphates) is the phosphate industry's research association and seeks to promote the sustainable use of phosphates through recovery and recycling and a better understanding of the role of phosphates in the environment. The European Commission is proposing an EU ban on phosphates in laundry detergents. CEEP considers that this proposal is not proportionate and not justified, and that phosphates offer long-term sustainability. Phosphates are known to be non-toxic, safe and can be recovered and recycled.
The CEEP position document is available on the CEEP website:
(http://www.ceep-phosphates.org/Documents/shwList.asp?NID=1&HID=34)
PROJECTS
COHIBA - Control of hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea region
(Posted 21 January 2011)
With HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) the Baltic Sea countries have committed themselves to achieve a ‘Baltic Sea with life undisturbed by hazardous substances’. The overall objective of COHIBA is to support the implementation of the BSAP with regard to hazardous substances by developing joint actions to reach the goal. COHIBA will last three years (2009-2012). It’s co-financed by the European Union within the Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007-2013. It’s total budget amounts to around EUR 4.9 million.
COHIBA newsletter 1/2011 (4 pages) presents the results of water sampling programme and whole effluent toxicity testing.
COHIBA final seminar will be held in Helsinki, Finland on 11 – 12 October 2011.
Fore more information on the project and to download the COHIBA newsletter visit the project’s website:
(http://www.cohiba-project.net/home/en_GB/home/)
ICARUS – IWRM for Climate Change Adaptation in Rural Social Ecosystem in Southern Europe - The First Progress Report is now available
(Posted 21 January 2011)
The ICARUS Integrated Water Resource Management project aims at increasing, in selected areas of Italy, Portugal and Spain, efficient water use in agriculture by analysing biophysical, socio-economic and institutional dimensions of sustainable water management. The project aims to identify innovative adaptation strategies, practices and tools for saving water in irrigated productions systems, which could be disseminated in other Mediterranean countries. ICARUS is funded within the 2nd IWRM-NET Funding Initiative and has duration of 24 months from 01/09/2010 to 31/08/2012.
The report summarises the results of the first phase of the project, where the partners established methodological procedures, a communication structure and identified an external team of irrigation and water experts and institutions to be consulted during the project.
For further information and to download the report visit the IWRM-Net website:
(http://www.iwrm-net.eu/spip.php?article339)
GENESIS - Groundwater and Dependent Ecosystems:
Deliverable 1.1 published - New Scientific and Technical Basis for Assessing Climate Change and Land-Use Impacts on Groundwater Systems
Hans Kupfersberger, Joannuem Research Forschungsgesellschaft Mbh, Graz, 40 pages
(Posted 21 January 2011)
The GENESIS project (Groundwater and Dependent Ecosystems: New Scientific and Technological Basis for Assessing Climate Change and Land-use Impacts on Groundwater) is funded under the thematic area Environment (including Climate Change) of the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013). This report gives an overview of geological settings, climate, hydrology and land-use of the different test sites. Then, impacts and threats are described in detail on the following:
Groundwater dynamics, recharge and water balance of groundwater systems
In addition, possible gaps with respect to the WFD and the GWD are discussed. Finally, a general overview of modelling approaches used and their purposes with a specific focus on model requirements and data availability and needs is put together.
The document is available on the project’s website:
Information sessions on the LIFE+ Programme 2011 Call for Proposals
(Posted 06 January 2011)
The European Commission will publish the fifth Call for Proposals under the LIFE+ Programme in February 2011, with up to €265.360 million available across the EU for co-financing projects under three headings:
DG Environment of the European Commission, in conjunction with STELLA Consulting and MWH, will organise a series of LIFE+ Information Sessions in the context of the 2011 LIFE+ Call for Proposals. There will be one Information Session in each of the EU Member States. The aim of these Information Sessions is to inform potential applicants about the LIFE+ Programme in the context of the 2011 Call for Proposals. In particular, they aim to help potential applicants decide whether or not to submit a LIFE+ proposal, and to highlight some key issues to help avoid common problems if they do submit a proposal.
Fore dates and further information visit the LIFE website:
(http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/news/events/events2011/info_workshops11.htm)
URSULA – urban river corridors and sustainable living agendas
A Seminar Series is announced to take place from Autumn 2010 to Autumn 2011
(Posted 06 January 2011)
The research addresses the hypothesis that there are significant social, economic and environmental gains to be made by integrated and innovative interventions in urban river corridors. The project URSULA tackles river corridor issues holistically by treating the river and its urban setting as a system. Over 4 years the project will produce innovations, tools and knowledge to help guide the regeneration of urban river corridors worldwide.
The seminars take place monthly, on Wednesday at the University of Sheffield. Each talk is open to members of the public as well as University students and staff.
For further details visit the project’s website:
PUBLICATIONS
Future flood and water management legislation
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee - First Report
(Posted 21 January 2011)
On coming to power, the Government announced its intention to implement the findings of the Pitt Review to improve flood defences, as well as to prevent unnecessary building in areas of high flood risk. It also committed itself to reform of the water industry in order to enhance competition and improve water conservation. In September 2010 Defra announced a public consultation prior to publication in June 2011 of a Water White Paper. It has also announced that it will publish a Natural Environment White Paper by spring 2011. In September 2010, the Parliament launched an inquiry to assess progress on flooding and water management policy, with the aim of identifying key priorities for these White Papers.
To read the report and the associated documents visit the Parliament website:
(http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmenvfru/522/52202.htm)
Water Framework Directive Series Set
Editors: Peter A Vanrolleghem, Fred Hattermann and Zbigniew W Kundzewicz
IWA Publishing, publication date 10 Jan 2011, ISBN: 9781780400013
(Posted 21 January 2011)
This 4-volume series of Guidance Reports is a concrete outcome from the Harmoni-CA concerted action. It aims to guide water professionals through the implementation process of the Water Framework Directive, with a focus on the use of ICT-tools (and in particular modelling). The Guidance Reports are complementary to the Guidance Documents produced by the EU Directorate General for Environment.
The four volumes in the Water Framework Directive Series are:
For further information visit the publishers website:
(http://www.iwapublishing.com/template.cfm?name=isbn9781780400013)
INDICATORS OF BIODIVERSITY IN ENGLAND
Defra Statistical Release, 20 January 2011
(Posted 21 January 2011)
This four-page document is a statistical update of twentysix indicators, providing an overview of biodiversity in England. It shows improvements in some aspects of the natural environment, for instance in the condition of protected sites, the number of priority species and habitats stable or increasing, and the extent of agricultural land covered by environmental schemes. However, they also show deterioration since 2000 for certain bird populations, certain butterfly populations, some plant diversity, and the extent of invasive species in the natural environment.
The document is available on the Defra website:
(http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/01/20/biodiversity-2/)
Scotland's Environmental Laws Since Devolution - From Rhetoric To Reality
Prepared by Tamsin Bailey for Scottish Environment Link, 39 pages, published 14 December 2010
(Posted 21 January 2011)
A review of key environmental legislation in Scotland since devolution commissioned for the LINK Members' Congress The Environment and the Law in November 2010. It looks back over the decade assessing the success of eight key environmental laws which LINK and its members bodies campaigned for, in working to protect Scotland's environment.
The review is available for download at the Scottish Environment Link website:
(http://www.scotlink.org/index.php)
Review of current knowledge on pesticides with potential for non-compliance under the Water Framework Directive – Defra Research Project Final Report - PS2242
(Posted 21 January 2011)
The overall aim of the project, carried out at the University of York, was to review current knowledge on pathways to water for pesticides identified as potentially causing non-compliance under the Water Framework Directive and promote industry engagement on identification of measures and to create an evidence matrix for each substance that links the current knowledge base to measures to address contamination of water resources.
For more details and to download the final report and the annexe visit the Defra website and search for PS2242:
(http://www.defra.gov.uk/evidence/science/publications/index.htm)
Urban soil sealing in Europe
An EEA article published on 19 January 2011
(Posted 21 January 2011)
The European Environment Agency, EEA, has published an on-line article on soil sealing in Europe. Soil sealing is the covering of the soil surface with materials like concrete and stone, as a result of new buildings, roads, parking places but also other public and private space. Depending on its degree, soil sealing reduces or most likely completely prevents natural soil functions and ecosystem services on the area concerned. The article outlines the issue and refers to a high-resolution soil sealing layer for the whole of Europe for the year 2006 based on satellite pictures that the EEA produced recently.
The article is available on the EEA website:
Water is for Life:
How the Water Framework Directive helps safeguard Europe’s resources
European Commission, Directorate-General Environment Publication, 2010, 25 pages
(Posted 06 January 2011)
This is an up to date document outlining the importance of water, and the role of the EU water policy framework, the Water Framework Directive, in protecting this invaluable resource from human and natural pressures. It describes the WFD objectives, its timetable and status of implementation and explains the legal framework integrating relevant EU measures in the field of water legislation.
In addition, the DG Environment published a four-page pamphlet Water Framework Directive. It lists and discusses the following seven facts about water:
Both documents are available to download from the Europa website:
(http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/index_en.htm)
SEPA launches guidance for developers of run-of-river hydropower schemes
(Posted 06 January 2011)
SEPA supports the development of renewable energy in Scotland, including hydropower. However, even small hydropower schemes have the potential to adversely affect the water environment. SEPA aims to ensure that an appropriate balance between promoting hydropower and protecting the water environment and other water users is always achieved. This balancing determination will be in line with the policy statement issued by the Scottish Government in January 2010. The Guidance, published in November 2010, sets out how SEPA intends to achieve Scottish Ministers' policy objectives and contains guidance on the developments that are likely to be acceptable in the context of the Ministers' policy statement.
For further information and to download the Guidance visit the SEPA website:
(http://www.sepa.org.uk/water/hydropower.aspx)
EVENTS
Improving Cooperation in Fresh Water Research Across Europe
Final conference of the IWRM-Net Programme
December 1-3, Brussels, Belgium
(Posted 21 January 2011)
IWRM-Net was a five year (2006-2010) project within the European Research Area (ERA-Net). IWRM-Net was funded by the European Commission and aimed to implement new collaborative research activities at the national and regional levels related to Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) with a focus on the Water Framework Directive.
The final conference included the following session:
The presentations are now available on the project’s website:
Regulation for a Sustainable Water Industry
CMS Conference, 09 December 2010, London
(Posted 21 January 2011)
The UK Coalition Government has committed to prepare a Water White Paper in 2011 ‘on reform of the water industry to ensure more efficient use of water and to protect poorer households’. At the same time Ofwat are engaging positively in an open review of the way the industry is regulated. This coincidence of initiatives represents a generational opportunity to reform the industry in light of future challenges. The aim of this conference is to discuss how a sustainable and resource efficient water industry might be structured and operate. The aim of this conference was be to debate the wide range of views developing around key themes concerned with how a sustainable and resource efficient water industry might be structured and operate.
For further information, presentations and related documents visit the CMS website:
(http://www.coastms.co.uk/conferences/441/show)
Conference Sharing Environmental Information
29 November– 01 December 2010, Brussels, Belgium
(Posted 06 January 2011)
The participants of the conference “Sharing Environmental Information”, organised under the umbrella of the Belgian Presidency jointly between Belgium and the European Environment Agency (EEA), including representatives from the EEA member and cooperating countries, EEA and the European Commission, have considered the issues at stake for the Shared Environmental Information System (SEIS) implementation.
The participants acknowledged the responsibility of the EEA and the countries in the development of the regular European Environment State and Outlook Report (SOER) and in the establishment and management of existing European and national environmental information systems.
For further information, presentations and conference conclusions visit the EEA website:
(http://ew.eea.europa.eu/meetings-and-events/sharing-environmental-information)