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Environment Resources
The UK is officially one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. This is documented fact.
Environmental policy and insight news - courtesy of Friends of the Earth
In-depth analysis of the biggest environmental issues facing people and the planet – with in-depth commentary on the causes, effects and solutions.
Friends of the Earth say, "From analysing how the Budget exacerbates the climate emergency, to exploring ways to reduce pesticide use, our aim is to influence policy-makers and help drive change."
NBN Atlas - courtesy of the National Biodiversity Network
The NBN Atlas is an online tool that enables UK biodiversity data to be shared, analysed and used for research.
Searchable by postcode, it holds more than 198 million species occurrence records and allows users to interrogate species records and download distribution maps.
Link: nbnatlas.org
Updated planning guidance re. England’s protected species, ancient woodland & veteran trees - courtesy of GOV.UK
Updated advice to help Local Planning Authorities take planning decisions which protect and enhance England’s rare and threatened species, irreplaceable ancient woodland, and ancient and veteran trees.
Environmental Impact Assessment screening checklist - courtesy of GOV.UK
Checklist to help ensure that an authority giving development consent for a project makes its decision knowing the likely effects on the environment.
CPA Webinar: 'BioBlitzing' - the whys & wherefores
This webinar, recorded on September 6th 2022, focused on how communities can undertake their own 'BioBlitz'. (An intense period of biological surveying in an attempt to record all the living species within a designated area.)
The webinar commenced with Lisa Phipps (Keep Nethercote Rural) sharing what she has learned about recording bird and wildlife sightings. Lisa covered a range of points, including the record centres, why recording is important and much more.
Lisa was followed by Claire Baker and Sandra Fretwell-Smith (both from the Owlthorpe Fields Action Group), who shared their knowledge about planning and executing a community BioBlitz, including recording the data using iNaturalist and recording systems, identifying species and presenting results.
LBU Webinar: Environmental Protection - a poor second to 'Build, Build, Build'?
There is increasing concern that environmental protection policies in the planning system have been compromised by the perceived imperatives of housing supply. An 82% increase in the volume of residential development approved in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty suggests that protection is undermined. Recently the methodology for measuring Biodiversity Net Gain in development has come under criticism. More alarming still is the long-term deterioration in 14 out of 42 key biodiversity indicators. On November 11th 2021, our panel reviewed the evidence and shared their expertise on this hot topic.
Our speakers were:
- Lorayne Woodend Wall - Planning Officer at Friends of the Lake District
- Jonathan Easton - Planning and Environmental Barrister at Kings Chambers
- Faye Durkin - Head of Ecology at Ecus Ltd
- Duncan Hartley - Director of Rural Solutions
Session chaired by Dr Quintin Bradley, Senior Lecturer in Planning and Housing at Leeds Beckett University, with an introduction by Rosie Pearson from the Community Planning Alliance.
CPA Webinar: Government's Environmental Targets consultation - what you need to know
New environmental targets have been set out by Government in an important consultation, with particular focus on:
- air quality,
- water,
- biodiversity,
- resource efficiency and waste reduction.
This webinar, recorded on April 28th 2022, was designed to help you learn more about these new Environmental Targets, and how you can have your say before the consultation ends on 11th May. Our speakers were:
- Richard Benwell, CEO of the Wildlife and Countryside Link
Richard told us why he believes the Government must aim higher, and why this eight week consultation is so important for the future of the environment and nature.
- Delyth Dyne, Deputy Head of Air Quality and Industrial Emissions at DEFRA.
Delyth leads DEFRA's work on National Air Quality Strategy, PM2.5 targets and the Air Quality Management Framework for Local Authorities. She explained why these targets and timescale have been proposed.
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