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Latest Updates and Information from the SWO Environment Module

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Environment Module News
  • 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
  • 'The Science of Climate Change' and 'Climate Change and Spatial Planning' - New UWE Short Courses Two new UWE online short courses now available in 'The Science of Climate Change' and 'Climate Change and Spatial Planning'. These have been launched to coincide with the United Nations' 17th annual climate change conference which has just taken place in Durban, South Africa. Climate change will become an increasingly important factor in planning for different types of development. These courses allow you to explore the issue of climate change and what it means for communities and the built... 19 December 2011
  • Policy Summary and Briefing - 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. The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature is the first White Paper on the natural environment to be published in 20 years. It comes after a period of public consultation during 2010 and strongly links the value of the natural environment in delivering economic growth. It sets the Government's policy... 09 December 2011
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  • £28 million to enable communities to spring-clean England's rivers
    A £28 million Fund to clean up England's rivers and encourage local wildlife to flourish has been announced today by Environment Minister Richard Benyon. Part of a £92 million Defra commitment to clearing up England's rivers and lakes, the Fund announced today will allow communities and charities to tackle local eyesores and encourage iconic wildlife to thrive by tackling pollution and removing redundant dams, weirs and other man-made structures to create habitats which work for wildlife 03 February 2012
  • Publication of the statistical release on Air Quality Statistics in the UK, 1987 to 2011: provisional results
    Defra has published provisional figures for annual UK air quality up to 2011, showing average concentrations of particulates and ozone –  the two pollutants thought to have the greatest health impacts.  The statistics also report the average number of days when pollution was moderate or higher. Full statistical release can be found at: Air quality [...] 02 February 2012
  • Local Authority collected waste for England – provisional quarterly statistics
    These provisional results summarise waste collected and managed by local authorities in England in the 12 months from July 2010 to June 2011. They are based on quarterly data submitted by local authorities to WasteDataFlow. In this statistics release comparisons are made between the financial years April 2010 to March 2011 and the rolling year [...] 02 February 2012
  • Over £1 billion investment secures future of new waterways charity
    A new charity to look after England and Wales' network of 200-year old canals and rivers will be given over £1 billion of Government help to give it the best possible start, Environment Minister, Richard Benyon, announced today 31 January 2012
  • Final two members appointed to Animal Health and Welfare Board for England
    The final two members of the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England (AHWBE) were appointed today. 30 January 2012
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  • Edward Davey appointed Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change
    Edward Davey MP has today been appointed Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. Arriving at DECC's headquarters in London, Mr Davey said: “This is a sad day because Chris Huhne has had a real vision for a green economy and he's done fabulous work as Secretary of State. “I've now got to take up the challenges - the challenge of climate change, the challenge of energy security. “And I'm particularly conscious of the impact on households across the country of high energy bills. “I'm determined to work to follow on Chris's priorities, the Coalition's priorities and to make them my... 03 February 2012
  • Statement by Charles Hendry on Coryton Refinery
    Energy Minister Charles Hendry today chaired a meeting of interested parties to discuss the future of the Coryton refinery. The meeting took place at the Department of Energy and Climate Change in Central London. This is the second time the Energy Minister has convened such a meeting since the refinery was placed in the control of the administrators. Local politicians, industry and unions were among those present. Following the meeting, the Minister said: “We have had another positive meeting this afternoon at which the joint administrators updated those present on what they have achieved so... 02 February 2012
  • Minister's Winter Warmth Appeal
    As the big freeze grips the country, pensioners and the most vulnerable are being urged to take advantage of a government grant scheme to help make homes warmer. Letters have just landed on 675,000 doormats across England to raise awareness about the Warm Front scheme. The letters explain how pensioners and people on very low incomes can get money off having their heating repaired or replaced or having their lofts insulated through picking up the phone and contacting Warm Front. So far the scheme has assisted 21,000 homes this financial year, but has the capacity to help at least 16,000 more... 02 February 2012
  • Written ministerial statement by Charles Hendry on the 27th offshore oil and gas licensing round and the strategic environmental assessment (sea) post adoption process
    I am pleased to inform the House that I am today inviting applications for petroleum licences for unlicensed seaward blocks which will form the 27th round of offshore petroleum licensing. Supporting around 350,000 jobs and spending around £14 billion a year, the UK oil and gas industry plays a vital role in the UK economy and in meeting our energy needs. Indigenous oil and gas production supplies the equivalent of about one half of the UK's primary energy demand. It is vital that we continue to do all we can to maximise economic recovery of indigenous hydrocarbon reserves. The licensing... 01 February 2012
  • New opportunity for North Sea oil and gas exploration
    01 February 2012 Press ref: 12/004 Energy Minister Charles Hendry today announced new opportunities for UK oil and gas exploration with the launch of the 27th offshore licensing round. 2,800 blocks are being offered as the Government ensures the UK gets maximum benefit from our resources. This offer follows on from the successful 26th round in 2010, which resulted in the largest number of licences issued 190 since offshore licensing began in 1964. Energy Minister Charles Hendry said: “I am very pleased to launch the 27th offshore oil and gas licensing round. This is shaping up to be a very... 01 February 2012
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  • First record of rare slime mould at Castle Eden Dene NNR
    One of Britain's rarest 'slime moulds' has been identified at the Castle Eden Dene National Nature Reserve (NNR) in Co Durham and the discovery is thought to be a first for North East England. 31 January 2012
  • National Park expansion proposals – the next steps
    In September 2011, Natural England's Board confirmed that it would be recommending extensions to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Park boundaries: the relevant Variation Orders to extend the Park boundaries, maps and boundary descriptions will shortly be presented to the Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs for her consideration. 30 January 2012
  • Environmental Stewardship information package
    As the current Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) draws closer to its December 2013 end date, Natural England has developed a comprehensive package of information for farmers and agents on Environmental Stewardship (ES). 25 January 2012
  • It's a good newts story for a wandering amphibian
    A lost amphibian that turned up in a Tyneside office building struck it lucky when it wandered into the offices of Natural England, the Government's adviser on nature conservation. 09 January 2012
  • Visit a National Nature Reserve this winter to see the 'first' Christmas trees
    As artificial Christmas fir trees are taken down in homes across the country after Twelfth Night, it's a good time of year to spare a thought for our forgotten 'first' Christmas tree. 06 January 2012
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