News abstracts for September 2008
Water resourcesThe Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs published on 11 August Consultation on the Private Water Supplies (England) Regulations 2008, which includes proposals for new standards, monitoring requirements and enforcement action. The deadline for responses is 3 November. UK Water Footprint: the impact of the UK's food and fibre consumption on global water resources, published by WWF on 20 August, finds that: the average UK household uses 150 litres of water a day for washing and drinking and 30 times as much (the equivalent of 58 bathtubs) in ‘virtual’ water that is used to produce food and clothes; and just 38% of water comes from the UK's resources. The report recommends that businesses evaluate their water footprint and promote sustainable water use. The Environment Agency published, ‘The Greenhouse gas implication of future water resources options’. This suggests that the industry was responsible for 0.8% of UK emissions in 2006/07; that householders contribute an average of 2.2kg a day of carbon emissions from their use of hot water; and that installing water meters in each home could save between 1.1m and 1.6m tonnes a year, as well as reducing bills by £40-160. Flood managementDefra has published a National Flood Emergency Framework (NFEF), as promised in the Government’s response to the Pitt Review of the July 2007 floods. The intention is for the NFEF to provide a forward looking policy framework for flood emergency planning and response. It will bring together information, guidance and key policies, and act as a resource for all involved in emergency planning at national, regional and local levels. The Department of Health has publised Report on the Lessons Learned from the Summer 2007 Flooding Experiences, from an Estates and Facilities Perspective. This report deals the three main areas affected by the flooding of summer 2007 and the impact upon social and health care provision in those areas. Although other areas were affected, it has been determined that no additional lessons could be learned over and above the experiences of those involved in Gloucestershire, East Yorkshire and South Yorkshire. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs published on 30 July two consultations on improving flood protection: Consultation on a policy statement on appraisal for flooding and coastal erosion risk management and Consultation on promoting property-level flood protection and resilience. Consultations deadline 31 October. PlanningAs set out last month, London Mayor Boris Johnson released Planning for a better London which proposes revisions to the London Plan and strategic planning policies in the capital. Consultation deadline: 10 November. Local governmentThe Local Government Association has published Cutting through the greentape: the powers councils have to tackle climate change, covering both adaptation and mitigation measures. The Commons Environmental Audit Committee has published Climate change and local, regional, and devolved government: eighth report of session 2007-08. This acknowledges the ‘distinctive roles’ that local regional and devolved government can play and advocates a coordinated approach to target setting and delivery. Regional governmentLondon Mayor Boris Johnson launched on 29 August the draft London climate change adaptation strategy, which discusses how the capital needs to prepare for warmer, wetter winters and hotter, drier summers. Following a foreword by the Mayor and introduction, the strategy has chapters on London's future climate, flooding, drought, overheating, health, London's environment, London's economy, infrastructure, and next steps. The strategy has been submitted for consultation to the London Assembly and the GLA Group, prior to a public consultation in 2009. The Mayor has also announced that Isabel Dedring has been appointed Environment Advisor. Isabel is currently Director of the Policy Unit for Transport for London. Business and industryClimate South East have published Climate Change and Small Businesses: how directors are responding to the challenges of climate change. This report aimed to better understand how SMEs view cliamte change, explore attitudes towards responding to climate change issues and investigate the specific area of director liability. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development has published, Adaptation: an issue brief for business. The report examines the potential impacts of climate changes on business, risks and opportunities, the business case for adaptation planning, and highlights areas in which business could have a role in promoting adaption, both at community and global levels. Mitigation: energy and greenhouse gas emissionsThe latest edition of the ‘Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society’ contains a series of articles on geo engineering technologies that could be used to tackle climate change. The New Economics Foundation published 100 months, which says that within 100 months of 1 August 2008 ‘atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases will begin to exceed a point whereby it is no longer likely we will be able to avert potentially irreversible climate change’. CommunicationWhy not enter the Green Awards? Deadline 10 September. JobsLet us know about jobs related to climate change adaptation in London. Here are a couple outside London with one of our key supporting organisations.
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