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Volume I (I), June 1995
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Page Contents |
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Editorial |
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Main Papers |
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Notes |
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Not applicable this issue
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Eco-bites |
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Light for National Forest The go-ahead for the National Forest was announced last year along with a new organisation set up to co-ordinate its development. The National Forest extends across 194 square miles of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire. Only six per cent is presently wooded and the project aims to increase this to around thirty per cent. Land will not be compulsorily purchased for tree planting. However, with three-quarters of the land privately owned, significantly better incentives will be needed to encourage landowners to plant trees if success on the scale envisaged is to occur. Nearly 400 hectares have already been planted, around two-thirds having new access. More than 6,000,000 trees have been planted. This initiative complements the Community Forests, and together amount to a major environmental project. Hopefully, the old meaning of 'forest' will be represented with a wide range of habitat-types, and the use of natural regeneration where possible. Tree Preservation Order Review The government's review of TPO's was begun in 1989. The review makes it clear that there is "no prospect in the immediate future" of government legislation to implement its conclusions. The review concludes that TPO's work well and no major changes are proposed. Suggested measures aim to make the system more straightforward and flexible, and to give local authorities adequate powers to take effective action against abusers of the system. The government has rejected more radical proposals in the initial consultation document. These included suggestions that 'tree management orders' should be introduced, with local authorities able to compel owners to carry out remedial work on protected trees. The right to object to a TPO would have been withdrawn. One serious flaw in the present climate of draconian cuts in local authority funding of course is the increasing lack of ability or will, of many local authorities to use even the present system. Native Pinewood Reassessed In the most detailed study ever undertaken of Scotland's native pinewoods, 3500 hectares of previously unrecorded pinewoods were found. The total area of native pinewoods now amounts to more than 16000 hectares. Of course this is still a mere fragment of the 1.5 million hectares that once covered much of the Scottish Highlands. This work emphasises the need for further and more detailed ecological surveys of many areas even in the UK. Without good baseline information, attempts to conserve and to monitor, involve a lot of guesswork! The remaining native pinewoods are direct descendants of those that colonized after the last Ice Age. The Forestry Authority carried out the research. A free leaflet summarising the results is available from Forestry Authority Scotland, Portcullis House, 21 India Street, Glasgow G2 4PL. Hedgerows Still Being Lost Hedgerows in England and Wales decreased by 18000 kilometres every year between 1990 and 1993. A survey carried out in 1993 by the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, commissioned by the Department of the Environment, aimed to assess the amount and type of hedgerow change since the last such survey in 1990, which covered the period 1984/90. The rate of hedgerow removal fell from 9500 kilometres a year in 1984-90 to 3600 kilometres a year in 1990-93. However, hedgerow loss due to lack of management trebled from 7400 kilometres in 1984 to 2250 kilometres in 1990- 93. New hedge planting more than doubled to 4400 kilometres a year in 1990- 93, as did the restoration of relict hedges to 5700 kilometres a year. Only 87 per cent of the total hedgerows present in 1990 still existed in 1993. In England and Wales there was a total of 37750 kilometres of hedgerow in 1993, compared with 431800 kilometres in 1990 and 56110 in 1984. Birds Down on Lowland Farms British Trust for Ornithology surveys of birds on lowland farmland has confirmed continuing declines of key species. Analysis of the distribution of key species in 1969 and 1991, showed that 24 of the 28 species classed as lowland farmland birds had decreased distributions and nine by more than 20 per cent. These include cirl bunting, corncrake, stone curlew, barn owl, Montagu's harrier, corn bunting, turtle dove, tree sparrow and grey partridge. Actual population levels were estimated for 18 farmland species and found to have reduced by more than 30 per cent for eight species: tree sparrow, corn bunting, grey partridge, turtle dove, reed bunting, skylark, lapwing and kestrel. Two species of farmland birds, jackdaw and stockdove increased by almost 30% Funding for New Access A new initiative to help farmers create new public access on set-aside land in England and Wales was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture (MAFF) with expenditure in England expected to be £4.5 million a year. The 'Countryside Access Scheme' offers to farmers, annual payments for five years of £90 a hectare for access routes and £45 a hectare for open field sites. The land will be carefully selected to ensure real benefits to the community. Lost Access and Lost Control of Conservation Areas The potentially massive loss of public access to Forestry Commission woodland confirmed by Sir Hector Monro (a forestry minister), in a written answer to the House of Common in June last year highlights a major threat to both access and nature conservation. The present government's controversial programme of selling surplus Forestry Commission land began in July 1981, and between then and the end of March 1994, around 2500 Areas of land (105,000 hectares) had been sold. Only eight of these covering 123 hectares had legally binding access agreements. This is a worrying trend that goes hand-in-hand with sales of now privatised water company land, and the rush to sell land by many local authorities. These areas often include both SSSI's and non-statutory SSI'S. This seems ironic in view of recent statements by Professor John Lawton and others, regarding the need to acquire significantly more land for conservation management, as a key for sustainable biodiversity! The Final Conclusions of the Forestry Review The conclusions of the forestry review group have ruled out privatisation of Britain's state-owned forests at least, for the moment. It also produced a revised package of incentives to promote greater productivity of privately owned forests. Forestry Commission and its Future The review group considered options for the future ownership and management of Forestry Commission woodlands but decided that the woodlands should remain for now in the public sector. It was announced that Forest Enterprise, which manages the state woodlands, should be on a "more business-like footing". It was suggested that replacement by a trading body would be more efficient and give better value for money. It would still remain part of the Forestry Commission. Access to Woodlands and Countryside Controversial sale of 'surplus' Forestry Commission woodlands is to continue. The review group proposed new measures aimed at safeguarding existing public access. 1) Woods with a high-level of current access will not usually be sold. If they are, then the sale will only take place if an access agreement is already in place, or it the buyer guarantees continued access. 2) For other woodlands, "every effort will be made" to secure an access agreement before sale. Local authorities will be "encouraged to respond positively" when offered access agreements by the Commission, which will in future be willing to meet the legal costs of drawing up such agreements. Again, serious under-funding of local authority countryside and woodland services, casts doubt on the ability or willingness to respond effectively. However, a quarter of the Forestry Commission's land in England and Wales is held on lease much having no public access. For such land in lowland England with good access potential, the government will provide nearly 1 million a year for the Commission to buy the freehold. The Director of the Ramblers' Association said that there were "only superficial changes in a process which needs fundamental safeguards build into it by law". Woodland Grant Scheme Revisions Revisions to the existing woodland grant scheme seek to address the implications of conifer planting having fallen significantly since the tax changes of the 1988 budget. In 199314 new conifer planting was down to c.5000 hectares, with broad-leaved planting for the first time exceeding 10000 hectares. The aims of the revised scheme are to increase both British wood production, and the amenity enviromnental benefits of woodland. Now with an extra £4 million a year, it will cost more than £30 million a year. Planting Grants Overall the rates have changed little, but the cost of broad-leaved planting will be much higher than previously as, in an attempt to improve timber quality. The required stocking rate has more than doubled to 2250 trees a hectare. The only exceptions are amenity woodlands smaller than three hectares, and new native woods. The grant for planting conifers is now a flat rate of £700 a hectare, and for broad-leaves, under 10 hectares £1350 a hectare, and for 10 hectares and over, £1050 per hectare. Better Land Supplement This is to encourage planting on arable land or improved grassland and the conifer rate has been brought up to the existing broad-leaves rate of £600 a hectare. Pilot Schemes for special areas a new scheme aimed at stimulating new planting in target areas, such as community forests. Restocking Grants for restocking have been cut by more than half to £325 a hectare for conifers and £525 for broad-leaves. Natural Regeneration Grants Another drastic cut (in line with the new restocking grants). A new feature is the introduction of a 50 per cent discretionary grant for work, such as fencing, to encourage regeneration. Community Woodland Supplement This remains unchanged at £950 a hectare. Short-rotation coppice Grants are now £400 a hectare on set-aside land, £600 on other land, and the better land supplement is no longer available. Annual Management Grant This replaces previous management grants, and is now £35 per hectare per year. It is available for any age of woodland of "special environmental potential". Woodland Improvement Grant A new and potentially exciting grant for projects, such as restoring coppice and controlling invasive weed species, to improve the environmental standard of woods. However, the grant will be discretionary, cover only 50 per cent of costs and be restricted to certain types of work in selected areas. Livestock Exclusion Annual Premium Another new grant: farmers in less favoured areas will be paid £80 per hectare per year to exclude livestock from woods of "high environmental value". The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds believes that the new scheme gives boost to the planting of native woods. "We welcome the regional targeting of woodland improvements and planting grants", an RSPB spokesperson said, "but we are concerned about how the discretionary element of some of the grants will be operated nationally". EC Habitats Directive Draft statutory instruments, which will implement the Habitats Directive, were laid before parliament (The Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations 1994) and a list of proposed Special Areas of Nature Conservation (SAC's) was also submitted to the Department of the Environment. The timetable for implementation of the EC Directive required the site list to be submitted by April 1995 to the European Commission. By April 1998 Member States must have agreed the list of SAC's, which must have been adopted by the European Commission. Regulations to implement the Habitats Directive were approved by Parliament in October 1994 and are now in force. The most significant aspect of the Regulations includes requirements for old planning permissions to be subject to a review procedure. The local planning (or other competent authority) will "make an appropriate assessment of the implications for the site in view of that site's conservation objectives". If the development is likely to "adversely affect the integrity of the site", the permission may have to be revoked, or a Section 106 agreement made over the site. The implications for this are in terms of new ecological survey work (and additional work for those in voluntary bodies, local authorities and in the agencies involved in either the consultation or the resulting lobbying process). However, the review process will apply only to SPA'S, SAC's and other sites that are being considered by the European Commission for SAC status (i.e. 'European' sites). The Conservation (Natural Habitats etc.) Regulations 1994 can be purchased from HMSO (tel: 0171 873 9090. fax: 0171 873 8200). European Nature Conservation Year: 1995 English Nature has been co-ordinating English activities relating to the European Nature Conservation Year. Organisations in both public and voluntary sectors have been promoting activities across the country and throughout the year. Local Authorities' Caring for Nature Guide The County Planning Officers' Society has produced a useful booklet to give guidance on nature conservation and the work of local authorities. Topics covered include natural resource evaluation, nature conservation strategies, minerals and waste disposal, development control and environment assessment, nature reserves and site management, transport issues, urban nature conservation, tourism and recreation, coastal and marine issues, education, public awareness and training. The booklet uses case studies to present key points. A valuable guide for all involved in nature conservation, particularly in local government, Caring for Nature is published by the County Planning Officers' Society. ISBN 090 1337 633. Natural Areas Concept Developing English Nature produced a consultation document on 'Natural Areas' in May 1993. This is a new approach to classification of terrestrial areas in England according to their 'natural character'. The responses to the consultation are summarised in a six-page leaflet available from English Nature, Northminster House, Peterborough, PE1 lUA. Opencast Coal Mining Planning Guidance In December 1993, The Government's Draft Minerals Planning Guidance note (no. 3 Coal mining and colliery spoil disposal) was produced in December 1993. Seven leading conservation NGO's urged the Environment Secretary to tighten up in particular, sections relating to opencast coal mining. This is increasingly important following the sudden demise of more publicly accountable British Coal Opencast, and the emergence of a very influential private sector. We await events with interest! Environmental Management Standards BS7750 A revised version of BS7750 has been published following testing with several hundred companies. Information on British Standards may be obtained from the British Library (tel. 0171 323 7494, fax. 0171 323 7495). UK Environmental Strategies In January 1994, the Government presented four key environmental documents, which represent the UK's first major response to the outcome of the Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro back in 1992. The four documents are: Biodiversity: The UK Action Plan; Climate Change: The UK Programme; Sustainable Forestry: The UK Programme; Sustainable Development: The UK Strategy. The documents received a mixed response. Many organisations took the opportunity to give Government a pat on the back to encourage further action. (Specific targets were promised for release European Nature Conservation Year). There also criticism, particularly of the document on sustainable development. Most of the documents lack depth and are largely descriptive texts of current environmental structures, issues and problems as such, and like 'This Common Inheritance'; they are very useful and interesting compilations of information. As strategies however, they give only a vague outline of the actions needed to resolve environmental problems in the UK. For the first time, joint actions between ministries are identified to help improve environmental performance. This is a positive aspect of these documents in bringing together ministries, which generally act individually, without a coherent environmental agenda. The watered down nature of the documents perhaps reflects this. Progress in developing more detailed strategies will be overseen by two Government appointed panels. Legislation
Needed to Protect River Water |
Environmental Assessment Government Agencies Reviewed The Government eventually scrapped a possible merger between English Nature and the Countryside Commission. The Secretary of State for the Environment announced that 'a programme of closer working' between the two organisations would be developed. This seems sensible. The Ministry of Agriculture, and the Department of the Environment also announced their intention to produce a White Paper on rural policies and the environment. The merger of the National Rivers Authority, HM Inspectorate of Pollution and The Waste Regulations Authority is, of course, now progressing. British Conifer Plantations and Wildlife Ecologists at the University of Oxford, and Roehampton Institute, London, have been investigating the invertebrate wildlife of conifer plantations. The group's work, dating back to 1986, indicates that conifer plantations in Britain, and plantation forests in the tropics, are generally far higher in wildlife value, than most people imagine, particularly for insects and spiders. The research is continuing and further information may be obtained from Dr Andrew Foggo, Department of Zoology, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PS (tel: 01865 271 1112; fax: 01865 310 477). Land Drainage Act 1994 This strengthens the conservation role of both local authorities' and internal drainage boards', flood, defence and land-drainage work. It took effect in September 1994. The Act contains three new measures: •Local authorities will have a duty of regard to the environment and conservation when carrying out land-drainage and flood defence work •Ministers will be empowered to direct the activities of internal drainage boards if it is considered that important conservation features would otherwise be destroyed or seriously damaged. •Ministers will be empowered to issue codes of practice on conservation matters to local authorities and drainage boards. This is clearly a major step in the right direction. For many years, internal drainage boards have been responsible for considerable environmental damage. Copies of the Act can be obtained from HMSO, price £1.90. (ISBN 0-10-542594- X). Policy Guidance (PPG) Note 9, Nature Conservation This long-awaited guidance was published in November 1994, following the issue of Regulations, which implement the Habitats Directive. PPG 9 is issued to local authorities who must take it into account in the preparation development plans and in considering planning applications and appeals. Separate guidance has been issued for Scotland and Wales. PPG15 and 16 relating to archaeology etc also cover related guidance. ISBN 0-11-752787-4, price £8.50. Available from HMSO (tel: 0171 873 0909, fax: 0171 873 8200). Transport and the Environment The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution report on transport and the environment published in November 1994, set out over 100 recommendations on reducing transport impact on the environment. If implemented, the report could have far-reaching impacts on road-building programmes and funds for other transport areas. 18th report, Transport and the Environment HMSO, £26.60. Local Agenda 21 Local authorities are considering how to implement the Earth Summit's Agenda 21 through local action. The UK local authority associations have set up a UK Local Agenda 21 initiative to give support and advice to local authorities, co-ordinated by the Local Government Management Association. More information may be obtained from the LGMB, Arndale House, Arndale Centre, Luton, LU1 2TS.. Local Agenda 21 Local authorities are considering how to implement the Earth Summit's Agenda 21 through local action. The UK local authority associations have set up a UK Local Agenda 21 initiative to give support and advice to local authorities, co-ordinated by the Local Government Management Association. More information may be obtained from the LGMB, Arndale House, Arndale Centre, Luton, LU1 2TS. Protection of Vital Plant Species In an attempt to save the world's rapidly disappearing plant species, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, has applied to the Millennium Commission for help in setting up a new seed bank complex. This will ensure that scientists have a chance to look for beneficial properties in plants before they become extinct. So far, less than 5% of the worlds' plant species have been scientifically tested. Kew's proposal is for a seed conservation and research institute to be built near its present seed bank at Wakehurst Place in West Sussex. The collection will concentrate on seeds from the UI, and the and semi-arid regions of the world, where the uses of wild species are greatest and at most risk. Further information from Christine Brandt, Tel: 0181 332 5607. The Habitats Directive The Marine Group of Wildlife and Countryside Link produced a briefing on the Habitats Directive and marine conservation in advance of the Government publishing their list of Special Areas of Conservation to be considered for protection. The Group included 20 initiatives which it believed must be implemented for the UK to meet the obligations of the Directive. They listed the areas that should be included as Special Areas of Conservation - 24 saline lagoons in England, all sites of international/European importance, and the top 20 sites of national importance. The Government was asked to publish a consultation paper on proposed Special Areas of Conservation, to revise the regulations covering the legal duties of the relevant authorities to allow them to comply with the Directive by making by-laws, and to provide regulations for the Directive to be implemented in Northern Ireland. Details from Stephanie Hilborne, Wildlife and Countryside Link. Tel: 0171 924 2355. Flatworm Threat The spread of a flatworm introduced from New Zealand some thirty years ago has meant the virtual elimination of earthworms from infested areas in Northern Ireland, Lowland Scotland and parts of England. This is likely to have serious consequences for wildlife. Blackbirds are obvious victims but all thrushes eat earthworms, as do a wide range of other bird species such as moorhen, oystercatcher, stone curlew, tawny owl, carrion crow and pheasant. Earthworms form 90% of the diet of moles and they are important for badger, hedgehog, common shrew and wood mouse. The Ministry of Agriculture has commissioned ADAS to collate information on what is happening. Reports on the effects of infestations on wildlife should be sent to Peter Hancocks. Tel: 0171 959 1000. Any reports of agricultural or horticultural effects should be reported to David Alford. Tel: 01223 462762. Welsh Agency Cuts Cuts of nearly 40% in the permanent staff complement will be necessary if proposals to reduce the Countryside Council for Wales budget are confirmed by the Secretary of State for Wales. There are, as yet, no detailed proposals on how the organisation will manage its statutory functions to accommodate the cuts. The Institute of Ecologists and Environmental Managers, has written to express its concern over the situation and has asked the Secretary of State to ensure that there is full public consultation over any proposed reconstructing of CCW. The Countryside Commission for Wales is under review by the Secretary of State for Wales and is likely to have a significant budget cut for the next financial year. Consideration is also being given to dismantling the Council and passing its functions to local authorities and the Welsh Office. (N.B. Latest news suggests that the worst of the threats have passed - at least for now!). Employment and the Self-Employed One member of IEEM in a planning department of a local authority recently became concerned when his finance department queried the employment of self-employed ecologists by his department. Several issues appeared to be at stake. Firstly, the nature of the work undertaken by the ecologist and secondly, implications for VAT (the consultant ecologists were not VAT registered). Self-employed ecologists are advised obtain a statement from their accountant or from the Inland Revenue, which says that they are registered for self-employed purposes. This statement can then be appended to tender documents to ensure that future queries will not arise. In terms of those who employ people on contract, there are some ground rules established by the Inland Revenue. Any self-employed contractor must not: o Work from the client's premises. o Use any of the client's facilities (e.g. photocopying, typing, telephone) o Be subject to detailed supervision by the client's staff nor subject to conditioned office hours set by the client. o be contracted as general help (they must be engaged for a specific piece of work only). Furthermore, self-employed people must be registered as self-employed. responsible for their own VAT, income tax and national insurance contributions, responsible for their own insurance; must include employer's liability. Failure to observe these rules could make an employer liable for tax and social security payments. It is therefore in the interests of all concerned that proper contracts are made for all work. Wind Guidelines The British Wind Energy Association has drafted Best Practice Guidelines for Wind Energy Development. The RSPB and countryside agencies were involved in the development of the guidelines. These are voluntary, bu local planning authorities will be encouraged to adhere to them. Copies of the guidelines may be obtained from The British Wind Energy Association, 42 Kingway, London, WC2B 6EX. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Booklet The Countryside Council for Wales and the Countryside Commission have produced an advisory booklet containing guidelines for the management of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Contact CCW, Tel: 01248 370 4444 Accreditation of Environmental Verifiers The National Accreditation Council for Certification Bodies (NACCB) is currently finalising its proposals for accrediting organisations who will be permitted to certify companies registering for BS7750 (Environmental Management Systems) and ENIAS (the EC environmental audit scheme). At the moment there is no accreditation scheme for verifiers. NRA Invertebrate Surveys The National Rivers Authority is to carry out a nation-wide project to sample invertebrates from rivers and canals. The resulting data will be used to assess river water quality using biological indicators. Rumour also has it that the NRA has been seriously displeased with the quality of some of the contract work on river corridor vegetation carried out by ecological consultants. The main problem has been because inexperienced people with poor field skills have been used to do such work with unrealistically low budgets. We know that river corridor survey work has been seriously undermined as a result of this, and that some very good ecologists are now refusing to tender for NRA work because prices have been so seriously reduced. This issue has been covered in some depth in In Practice. Deer and Roads The Forestry Commission have completed an experiment using fake 'wolf' eyes to cut night-time deer mortalities on British roads The installation of roadside reflectors resulted in a 90% reduction in such mortalities but an increase in early morning (post-dawn) deaths. UK Round Table on Sustainable Development As part of its plans to consult over the UK's sustainable development strategy (and how it will be implemented) the government has established a Round Table on Sustainable Development. Thirty members have been appointed to the Round Table from a wide range of backgrounds, including industry, nature conservation, regulatory bodies and academic institutes. UK Biodiversity Steering Group The UK Biodiversity Steering Group has been established to direct the development and implementation of the UK's biodiversity strategy Published in January 1994. It has now met several times and a 'targets' group is headed up by Dr Derek Langslow, Chief Executive of English Nature, IEEM's President, Professor David Goode, sits on the Steering Group as the local government representative. Trees and Trenches A substantial number of trees in urban areas have been damaged as a result of digging trenches to lay cables. Urban Wildlife News 11(4) usefully summarises what precautions need to be taken to protect trees from such activities. For young healthy trees, trenching might be possible within 1-2 metres of the trunk without causing serious damage. However, the USA National Parks Service says no disturbance should take place within a circle having a 46 em radius for every 2.5 cm of the tree's girth at breast height. For a tree with a 1 metre girth a circle of over 18 metres is drawn. Arboriciilturalists have recommended a safety zone extending twice the tree's height from the truck. A trench passing within 2 metres of a large tree will cut off over a third of the whole root system, assuming an even spread of roots. This is true even for a trench only 15 em deep. A single one-page guide for construction gangs has been produced by the Black Country Urban Forestry Unit. Boxes of 25 encapsulated copies cost £40 and packs of 100 non-encapsulated copies cost £40 from BCUFU, Trenching Guidelines, Red House, Hill 1,ane, Great Barr, B43 6LZ. 62 Phytophthora Disease in Alder Sample plots looking into the prevalence of Phytophthora disease of alder have shown that 5% of the trees surveyed are infected by the disease. Affected trees have small, sparse, yellow leaves and are subject to early leaf fall. Areas of dead bark may also be present. For more information see Research Information Note (258) on Phytophthora Root Disease of Common Alder (send a large SAE to Publications Section, Forestry Authority Research Station, Alice Holt Udge, Wrecciesham, Famham, Surrey, GUIO 4LH). Golf Courses There are 4,529 18-hole golf courses in Europe (over half of them in the UK) and nearly 6 million players. The construction and maintenance of courses can have very significant enviromnental impacts and a report on 'sustainable golf development and management' has been commissioned from Touche Rosse by the European Commission. Also, 'An Environmental Strategy for Golf in Europe' is published by Pisces Publications for the European Golf Association Ecology Unit, Contact David Stubbs on 01306 743288 for further details. In Europe there is a trend for lairge-scale resort developments in the Mediterranean region. With some coastal resorts already 'saturated' with courses, inland areas are now becoming a focus for interest. Land-take is an important consideration but in the Mediterranean and in other hot countries the thirst of new courses for water can have very far-reaching environmental and socioeconomic. impacts. In south-east Asia the development of new courses has resulted in the displacement of large numbers of people ftom their homes. Environmental assessment will be required for new golf course schemes in the EU in the near future. Royal Parks The Government has been criticised recently by The Royal Parks Review for allowing royal parks 'to slide quietly into shabbiness and decay'. Dame Jennifer Jenkins, who chairs the Review Group, said the Department of National Heritage had reversed its 1993 commitment to increase funding for the royal parks and has since cut future spending twice. As a result many essential maintenance works are outstanding. The 12 member Review Group made up of councillors, architects, landscape and planning experts has focused much of its concern on Greenwich Park which it believes has not yet fulfilled its potential. This is viewed as the London equivalent of Versailles and recommendations include new walkways to enable the public to further enjoy the magnificent vistas of the Thames, parkland and buildings which make Greenwich so famous. New Voice for Environmental Industries For the first time, an effective voice within Government for UK's environmental technology and services industry is being established with the launch of The Environmental Industries Commission (EIC). The Commission's main role will be to lobby for UK and EC Government support through the introduction of economic instruments (e.g. tax relief and R&D funding), tighter enforcement of existing legislation and enactments of technology forcing standards in line with Government practices in other countries. The Commission will also identify the barriers to growth facing the British environmental industry; promote awareness of the commercial and environmental benefits of environmental technologies and services; and organise an education programme targeting mainstream industry to promote the use of environmental technologies and services. The new, but rapidly growing, environmental technology and services industry is expected to be worth £140 billion in the UK in the years to 2000; £850 billion in the European Community; and over £1,000 billion in the USA. Further details from Adrian Wilkes, Public Affairs Director, EIC. Tel: 0171 624 2728. Stabilising C02 Emissions The European Union should commit itself to stabilising its carbon dioxide (C02) emissions by the year 2000, says the Commission in a recent policy paper on climate change. Under current predictions of energy prices and economic growth, C02 emissions in the EU are expected to increase by 5-8% over 1990 levels, although the Commission identifies potential to cut emissions by 10% by 2010. This could involve completing the internal energy market, removing barriers to energy efficiency and renewable energy, measures in the transport sector, implementing fiscal instruments (such as the C02 energy tax), new technologies and research and development. |
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Eco-tones & Undertones |
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