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Environment Module (South West Observatory)

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'Important decisions should be based on the best available evidence'

This is the website for the South West Observatory Environment Module with data, information and analysis about the environment in and about South West England.
The Environment Module is part of the Observatory network, which works towards evidence-based policy and decision making by drawing together research, resources and analysis across policy themes and from different local areas. We do this to build a clearer understanding of the issues affecting people living and working in this part of the country. Our aim, in common with other Observatory Thematic Modules, is to provide timely and accurate information for your work and decisions.

The Environment Module is provided by the Environment Agency and based at Manley House in Exeter.
Please let us know if you have any thoughts on how we could improve our site and, of course, email if you have any specific environmental questions that you need answers to.
UPDATED RECENTLY

> Environment White Paper - This short briefing paper outlines the recently published Natural Environment White Paper and the context in which it sits, namely the National Ecosystem Assessment and Lawton Review.

> South West Local Profiles 2011 - a minimum of 25 topics covering a variety of environmental topics, from flooding to water quality, pollution to climate change. All data where possible has been published to the lowest level of government office (i.e. district council, unitary authority, and also county council level). All profiles can be viewed on-line, or the PDF can be downloaded. Read more. 

> The Environmental Theme pages are being updated currently. Some topics have been updated very recently. The Theme pages cover the environmental topics  in more detail, and give trends over recent years.
 
> Earth Chattering - An interactive map showing the South West, and the work which is being undertaken to improve the water bodies in the South West under the Water Framework Directive. Download the briefing papers on a river near you.
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News from the Environment Agency
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Annual Report Front Cover 2010/11
Out Now!
South West Observatory Update
> 'ANALYSIS AND THE USE OF EVIDENCE' NEW EVENT - Based on the Professional Skills for Government Framework, SWO is offering a one-day course to help attendees  understand the use of evidence and to effectively present information. How do you focus in on the right evidence for your objectives, and how to apply this learning to the workplace environment? Book now and find out (places are limited to 30).
> RESEARCH AND STATISTICS TRAINING COURSES NEW DATES ANNOUNCED - Following on from the success of this autumn's research and statistics training courses, SWO and Plymouth University are offering training courses for early 2012 focusing on Quantitative Research and Design, Qualitative Research and Design and Detailed Survey Design. To benefit from this training, sign up to reserve your place now. 
> ARE YOU ASSOCIATED? - SWO wants to improve its flexibility to respond to calls for analytical expertise and research commissions. If you are interested in being a SWO associate register your interest via SWO Associates.
> ANNUAL REPORT - Request your copy of the latest Annual Report of SWO network activity over the past 12 months (a PDF of the report will be made available shortly).
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News from the South West Observatory Network
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  • SWO Responds to ONS Census Consultation - 'Beyond 2011'
    Read SWO's response to the latest ONS Consultation 'Beyond 2011': a consultation on the current user requirements for data and how these requirements are likely to change over the coming years. This response raised issues around up-to-date population statistics at ward level, Local Authority obligations around equality stands as well as Local Authority Officers working in Economic Development also being involved in partnership working with their LEP. To read the full response, click on the icon below. 27 January 2012
  • Finding the Dots - January 2012. Out Now!
    The January edition of 'Finding the Dots', the Culture Module bulletin of research, events and publications has just been released. Download it now for all the latest on local, regional and national cultural research. 26 January 2012
  • UK GDP contracts by 0.2% in the fourth quarter of 2011
    GDP contracted by 0.2 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2011, driven by weakness in the production sector. Growth in the construction sector was slightly negative and was flat in the service sector, so these two sectors made no contribution to GDP growth in the fourth quarter. Comparing GDP to the same quarter in 2010, output expanded by 0.8 percentage points. And in 2011 as a whole, GDP grew by 0.9 per cent compared to 2.1 per cent during 2010. So the economy has showed subdued growth during 2011. Despite the contraction in output in the fourth quarter, employment rose by 26,000 in the three months to November, compared to a year ago. However, this is a relatively modest increase in employment, and with the economically active population continuing to rise, the unemployment level and rate has risen quite sharply in the three months to November. After remaining steady in the 7.7-8.0 per cent range throughout the two years between mid-2009 to mid-2011,... 25 January 2012
  • Future Homes Commission to look at Quality of New Homes
    The Future Homes Commission, chaired by business leader, Sir John Banham, is conducting a major national inquiry into the quality and delivery of newly built housing, and has announced a call for evidence, asking the public, housebuilding industry, architects, academia and policy makers to submit their views on the future of housing in Britain. The commission will engage with the public and experts from across the housing sector as part of a major consultation, aimed at gaining an in-depth understanding of the challenges affecting the delivery of housing and identifying innovation in order to shape its blueprint for the future. Alongside the Call for Evidence and conversations with the housing industry, the Commission will be visiting people in their front rooms, town centres and online, to build a truly comprehensive picture about what people want and need from their homes and how the market can deliver this. The Commission was instigated by the RIBA as part of its HomeWise... 25 January 2012
  • SWO Responds to ONS Wellbeing Consultation
    SWO has today responded to the current ONS consultation on measuring national wellbeing. This consultation by the ONS is looking at proposed domains and measures for measuring national wellbeing. Click on the icon below to read SWO's response. 23 January 2012
  • A future for British Film
    'A Future for British Film - it begins with the audience' Lord Chris Smith. Download the Film Policy review, published yesterday (16/01/2012). 17 January 2012
  • Overseas Travel and Tourism - November 2011
    In the three months to November 2011, seasonally adjusted estimates of international visits to and from the UK fell by 1 per cent versus the previous three months. Earnings from visits to the UK fell 4 per cent while expenditure on visits abroad remained broadly the same. Longer term, non-seasonally adjusted visits to the UK have risen by 2 per cent in the past 12 months and earnings have grown by 5 per cent Visits abroad by UK residents have remained broadly the same in the past 12 months but expenditure on those visits has fallen by 3 per cent. 12 January 2012
  • Index of Production - November 2011
    According to today's ONS Index of Production (November 2011), the seasonally adjusted Index of Production fell by 3.1 per cent in November 2011 compared with November 2010. The seasonally adjusted Index of Manufacturing fell by 0.6 per cent in November 2011 compared with November 2010. The seasonally adjusted Index of Production fell by 0.6 per cent between October 2011 and November 2011. The seasonally adjusted Index of Manufacturing fell by 0.2 per cent between October 2011 and November 2011. 12 January 2012
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With thanks to the South West RDA, Free Images.co.uk and Dorset County Council (Lulworth Cove) for the photos above.