The natural choice
The natural choice

Author: Great Britain: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Publisher: The Stationery Office

Published: 2011-06-07

Total Pages: 84

ISBN-13: 9780101808224

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This white paper sets out proposals for 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 are directly linked to the groundbreaking research in the National Ecosystem Assessment that showed the strong economic arguments for safeguarding and enhancing the natural environment. They also act on the recommendations of 'Making Space for Nature', a report into the state of England's wildlife sites, led by Professor John Lawton and published in September 2010, which showed that England's wildlife sites are fragmented and not able to respond to the pressures of climate change and other pressures we put on our land. Key measures proposed include: i) Reconnecting nature with New Nature Improvement Areas (NIAs) with a £7.5 million fund for 12 initial NIAs, biodiversity offsetting, New Local Nature Partnerships with £1 million available this year, phasing out peat, ii) Connecting people and nature for better quality of life with Green Areas Designation, better urban green spaces; more children experiencing nature by learning outdoors, strengthening local public health activities, the new environmental volunteering initiative "Muck in 4 Life" to improve places in towns and countryside for people and nature to enjoy and iii) Capturing and improving the value of nature with a Natural Capital Committee; an annual statement of green accounts for UK Plc, a business-led Task Force to expand the UK business opportunities from new products and services which are good for the economy and nature alike.

Natural environment white paper
Natural environment white paper

Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

Publisher: The Stationery Office

Published: 2012-07-17

Total Pages: 186

ISBN-13: 9780215046925

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The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee express concern that, more than one year on from publication of the natural environment white paper, "The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature" (Cm. 8082, ISBN 9780101808224), Defra has failed to set out clear plans to ensure that government decision-making fully values the services nature provides. All government policy should fully value natural capital. Government Ministers must also: publish an action plan with a timetable to deliver each of the White Paper's 92 commitments; give planners and developers guidance on how the National Planning Policy Framework can be used to protect Nature Improvement Areas; fully assess the benefits and costs of environmental regulation, to prevent a perception that environmental protection imposes a drag on the UK economy; publish the Government's response to advice from the Natural Capital Committee. The report also concludes that: biodiversity offsetting can deliver positive impacts on the natural environment; the target to end all peat use by 2030 shows a lamentable lack of ambition and a review of progress must be brought forward to 2014; Defra must set a target to increase public engagement with nature, since local authorities, NGOs and charities can only secure funding for environmental projects when they can demonstrate measurable success; the Department for Health and the Department for Education must define measurements which demonstrate how greater public engagement with nature delivers gains in public health and educational attainment; the entire coastal path around England should be in place within 10 years.

Introduction to Rural Planning
Introduction to Rural Planning

Author: Nick Gallent

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2015-06-30

Total Pages: 353

ISBN-13: 1317608623

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Introduction to Rural Planning: Economies, Communities and Landscapes provides a critical analysis of the key challenges facing rural places and the ways that public policy and community action shape rural spaces. The second edition provides an examination of the composite nature of ‘rural planning’, which combines land-use and spatial planning elements with community action, countryside management and the projects and programmes of national and supra-national agencies and organisations. It also offers a broad analysis of entrepreneurial social action as a shaper of rural outcomes, with particular coverage of the localism agenda and Neighbourhood Planning in England. With a focus on accessibility and rural transport provision, this book examines the governance arrangements needed to deliver integrated solutions spanning urban and rural places. Through an examination of the ecosystem approach to environmental planning, it links the procurement of ecosystem services to the global challenges of habitat degradation and loss, climate change and resource scarcity and management. A valuable resource for students of planning, rural development and rural geography, Introduction to Rural Planning aims to make sense of current rural challenges and planning approaches, evaluating the currency of the ‘rural’ label in the context of global urbanisation, arguing that rural spaces are relational spaces characterised by critical production and consumption tensions.

Cutting carbon, creating growth
Cutting carbon, creating growth

Author: Great Britain: Department for Transport

Publisher: The Stationery Office

Published: 2011-01-19

Total Pages: 100

ISBN-13: 9780101799621

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This White Paper, entitled "Creating growth, cutting carbon: making sustainable local transport happen", sets out the Government's aims in meeting two key objectives: (i) to help create growth in the economy; (ii) tackling climate change by cutting carbon emissions. Action at the local level is seen as delivering gains at the national level. For example, around every three trips made by car are less than 5 miles in length, and it could be argued many such trips could alternatively be cycled, walked or undertaken by public transport. The Government sees the encouragement of sustainable travel choices benefiting the economy, cutting carbon and contributing to road safety and public health. The new Local Sustainable Transport Fund aims to help local authorities to encourage people to travel sustainably. The publication is divided into nine chapters with one annex, and looks at the following areas: local transport - choices and implications; decentralising power - enabling local delivery; enabling sustainable transport choices; active travel; making transport more attractive; managing traffic to reduce carbon and tackle congestion; local transport in society.

Towards a Convergence Between Science and Environmental Education
Towards a Convergence Between Science and Environmental Education

Author: Justin Dillon

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2016-10-14

Total Pages: 336

ISBN-13: 1317549112

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In the World Library of Educationalists, international scholars themselves compile career-long collections of what they judge to be their finest pieces—extracts from books, key articles, salient research findings, major theoretical and/practical contributions—so the world can read them in a single manageable volume. Readers thus are able to follow the themes and strands of their work and see their contribution to the development of a field, as well as the development of the field itself. Internationally recognized for his research on environmental education, science engagement, learning outside the classroom, and teacher identity and development, in this volume Justin Dillon brings together a thoughtfully crafted selection of his writing representing key aspects of his life and work leading to his current thinking on the need for a convergence of science and environmental education. The chapters are organized around 7 themes: On Habitus; On methodological issues; Developing theories of learning, identity and culture; Challenges and opportunities—science, the environment and the outdoors; Classroom issues—the emergence of Science|Environment|Health; Science engagement and communication; Science, environment and sustainability.

Budget 2011 and environmental taxes
Budget 2011 and environmental taxes

Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Environmental Audit Committee

Publisher: The Stationery Office

Published: 2011-07-07

Total Pages: 102

ISBN-13: 9780215560438

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The Environmental Audit Committee claims the Treasury has undermined public trust in green taxes by appearing to use them as a revenue raising tool rather than a serious attempt to change environmentally damaging behaviour. The MPs single out two recent tax changes for particular criticism: cutting a penny off Fuel Duty while providing no new incentives to switch to lower carbon alternatives; and proposed changes to Air Passenger Duty will do nothing to reduce emissions or make it a more effective environmental tax. The Treasury needs to adopt a coherent strategy for environmental taxation, setting out its objectives and rationale, the basis on which rates are set, and how their impact will be evaluated. With green taxes there is a strong case for ring-fencing some of the revenues for investment in green alternatives - for instance using fuel duty to reduce public transport fares - in order to build trust and support for environmental taxes. Environmental taxes need to be straightforward so that taxpayers understand the behavioural change signal being sent. In practice their growing complexity means that many businesses are unaware of the cumulative impact of the environmental taxes affecting them. They must also be seen as fair so that political support can be built for environmental taxation. Also, the Plan for Growth, published alongside the Budget, does not provide the much needed step-change to aid the transition to a low-carbon economy. The Government should demonstrate greater commitment to putting the green economy at the heart of growth plans.

Environmental Issues in Political Discourse in Britain and Ireland
Environmental Issues in Political Discourse in Britain and Ireland

Author: Gilles Leydier

Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing

Published: 2013-09-17

Total Pages: 245

ISBN-13: 144385283X

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This book examines the political response to current environmental concerns in the context of the British Isles. How have the issues been assimilated by political parties? Which ones have been given priority? Who are the main actors and what is the role of ecologists? Answers to questions such as these are provided in this collective work, not only through valuable insights into the theories and concepts found in political ecology, but also with specific examination of present political debates, such as the Liberal Democrats’ stance, the question of nuclear energy or the salient issue of climate change. A recurring theme is the link between landscape and identity, explored in the contexts of Welsh, Scottish and Irish nationalisms. While this volume reveals some cases of genuine commitment and effective action, it also highlights discrepancies between statements of intent on the one hand and implemented policies on the other. The authors’ aim is to promote dialogue among politicians, experts and academics in the field of environmental issues, political and social sciences, linguistics and discourse.

Defra's Social and Environmental Guidance to Ofwat
Defra's Social and Environmental Guidance to Ofwat

Author: Great Britain: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Publisher: The Stationery Office

Published: 2013-03-07

Total Pages: 50

ISBN-13: 9780108512261

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This is the second edition of Defra's social and environmental guidance to Ofwat. Its purpose is to provide Ofwat with a steer on the key environmental and social policies to which the Government expects it to contribute in carrying out its role as the independent economic regulator of the water industry. It should be read in conjunction with the Strategic policy statement [appended]. Ofwat is required to have regard to this Guidance when discharging its statutory functions. The Guidance covers Ofwat's work in relation to water and sewerage undertakers and licensed water suppliers who operate wholly or mainly in England