Field margin on farm managed under Environmental Stewardship

A new report commissioned by Natural England, Ecosystem services from Environmental Stewardship that benefit agricultural production, assesses the role of Environmental Stewardship in protecting the environment and agricultural food production. The report:

• Shows how Environmental Stewardship schemes can help protect soil and water, regulate pest species and improve pollination, which in turn helps support crop production;
• Reinforces the key role farmers and land managers in Environmental Stewardship play in enhancing the natural environment without compromising their ability to produce food;
• For the first time, maps the distribution of the major ecosystems services provided by Environmental Stewardship options.

Providing ecocsystem services

The report found that Environmental Stewardship schemes – which provide funding to farmers and other land managers in England to deliver effective environmental management on their land – are delivering a range of vital goods and services, known as ecosystem services – which benefit the natural environment and in doing so help sustain and develop agricultural productivity.

Ecosystem services are defined as the benefits society gets from the natural environment, including cultural services such as the conservation of biodiversity and people’s enjoyment of the countryside, regulating services, such as flood protection, clean air and water and provisioning services such as the production of food, timber and other resources. Many of these services are provided by agricultural land. While farmers are rewarded for the provisioning services by the market, Environmental Stewardship is a major source of funding that helps farmers maintain and enhance the cultural and regulatory services that their land provides.

The Natural Environment White Paper identified the need to increase food production whilst protecting, enhancing and linking biodiversity and landscapes. To meet this challenge, land managers need to have a better understanding of the complex relationships between the different ecosystem services that farmland can potentially provide. This research was commissioned from the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) to identify the ecosystem services which Environmental Stewardship helps to provide as the main agri-environment scheme in England.

Supporting food production

The research found many examples of how ecosystem services supported by Environmental Stewardship contribute to food production, including:

• Pollination services are provided by many Environmental Stewardship options, with those delivering early pollen and nectar sources and season-long floral resources particularly important. Farms under organic management are likely to deliver more for bumblebees due to the legume content of rotational grassland;
• Control of pest species by natural enemies is encouraged by Environmental Stewardship options supporting hedgerows, flower margins, species-rich grassland and beetle banks;
• Conservation of genetic resources is supported by options such as traditional orchard and species-rich grassland management, as well as native breed supplements;
• Converting land to grassland benefits microscopic soil animals which improve soil organic matter content, while options where legumes are sown increase soil nitrogen, organic matter and soil wildlife.

Ian Fugler, Land Management Director for Natural England, described the importance of Environmental Stewardship to food security and the environment:

“Long-term food security and a healthy natural environment are inextricably linked. This report highlights how Environmental Stewardship supports the important role farmers play both in putting food on the table and providing a whole range of vital goods and services – protecting wildlife, managing water, storing carbon, looking after woodlands and hedgerows, and planting new ones, and shaping much-loved landscapes for people to explore and enjoy”.

Further reading

• Ecosystem services from Environmental Stewardship that benefit agricultural production: full report available to download

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• Producing food and improving the environment: Green Food Project conclusions

Water for Business

WBCSD and IUCN have released a new version of their online guide to help businesses manage water more sustainably by providing an overview of water tools and initiatives which they can use or engage with. More from WBCSD…

Just Good Business

A new online toolkit aims to help build secure, profitable and sustainable enterprises, providing inspiration from other business leaders, advice and resources. The toolkit also provides a process to help build sustainability into business strategies and plans. More from ICAEW…

New forum to tackle environmental ‘footprint’ of every-day goods

The Product Sustainability Forum (PSF) brings together more than 80 organisations to take the lead on addressing environmental and sustainability issues that arise from making and selling products. Greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, water use, reliance on raw materials, product-related waste and packaging will all come under the spotlight. More from WRAP…

The Colour of Growth: Maximising the Potential of Green Business

Launching a new CBI report, The Colour of Growth: Maximising the Potential of Green Business, John Cridland, the CBI Director-General says that green or growth is a ‘false choice’. More from CBI…

New £16 million fund for entrepreneurs to develop new low carbon innovations

The first phase of the Entrepreneurs Fund, part of a £35 million fund announced earlier this year, is now open to applications. Up to £10 million is available to support energy efficiency technologies such as building control systems, advanced lighting systems, and space heating and cooling technologies. There is also up to £6 million available for power generation and energy storage technologies including fuel cells, biomass boilers and heat pumps. More from DECC…

Business Commitment to the Environment 2012 award winners

At the BCE Awards ceremony earlier in the summer, 15 companies were honoured for their environmental excellence, innovation and leadership. More from BCE…

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• Business news round-up: food retail, circular economy, flying less, graduate optimism, Plan A, awards
• News round-up: ecosystems network, health and social care, local authorities, green growth indicators, sustainability in Africa, EU Green Week
• Business news round-up: thought leadership for Rio+20, recycling teabags, water awards, responsible soy

National Parks are models for sustainable development in the countryside, their activities based on core principles of sustainable development – such as integrating economic, environmental and social issues; finding solutions that reconcile conflicting needs; and addressing these within highly sensitive environments.

New approaches to deliver sustainable development

In recent years, National Parks have increasingly become seen as innovative places, trialling new approaches to policy and practice that deliver sustainable development. Since 2003 the Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) has provided further encouragement, seeking to promote sustainable development, partnership working and social inclusion among communities and businesses in ways that support the two statutory purposes of the National Park designation, to:

• Conserve and enhance their natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage; and
• Promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of National Parks by the public.

They also have a duty to “seek to foster the economic and social well-being” of the communities in the National Park which also leads NPAs to look for delivery through integrated solutions.

Funded by Defra in England and the Welsh Assembly Government in Wales, the SDF provides grants to individuals, businesses and community groups, in the public, private or voluntary sector for projects that demonstrate some of the following:

• Environmental, social and economic sustainability
• Conservation and understanding of the National Park
• Explore ‘models’ or ‘best practice’ for sustainable living through innovative ideas
• Creates new partnerships that have no access to alternative public funding
• Support or involvement of local communities
• Involve action by young people
• Encourage links with urban groups and visitors

ENPAA, the English National Park Authorities Association, has recently published an update for 2012 on its evaluation of projects supported by the SDF from 2002 to 2009. ENPAA provides case studies of selected projects and links to the individual national park websites for full details of all supported projects.

Sustainable development in action

But the full picture of what National Park Authorities do to deliver sustainable development goes far beyond the SDF. From the development of the National Park Management Plan to education programmes for schools; from sustainable transport and tourism to business support and advice; from land management practice and advice to community support and development; from skills training to renewable energy projects and funding; everything they do is based on the purposes and duty and so moves us towards fulfilling the Vision for National Parks by 2030 being places where:

“Sustainable development can be seen in action. The communities of the Parks take an active part in decisions about their future.They are known for having been pivotal in the transformation to a low carbon society and sustainable living. Renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, low carbon transport and travel and healthy, prosperous communities have long been the norm.”
Extract from English National Parks and the Broads: UK Government Vision and Circular 2010 (pdf), Defra, March 2010 and endorsed by the Coalition Government in March 2011 in the Uplands Policy Review

Reviewing sustainable development in England’s national parks

ENPAA recently published a review of sustainable development in England’s National Parks, with one case study from each of the ten English National Parks giving a flavour of the variety of their work.

Sustainable Development in England’s National Parks (pdf)

There are many more examples in all of the National Parks in England (and those in Wales and Scotland) of individuals, organisations, businesses and communities working together to adopt sustainable lifestyles supported by the National Park Authorities.

Further reading

• English National Park Authorities Association: sustainable development in England’s National Parks.

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• Securing the value of nature in English national parks

Food and Farming Minister Jim Paice has announced funding of £15 million through two competitions for projects to transform food manufacturing and reduce waste, as part of a Government-backed drive to support pioneering research and development that unlocks the potential of the UK’s farming, food and drink sector, and helps drive economic recovery.

A major award, worth up to £15 million in grants, is offered for collaborative research and development projects that will increase sustainability, efficiency and the competitiveness of the food processing and manufacturing sector and is available to all businesses. For small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and micro businesses a further £500,000 will be available in feasibility study grants of up to £25,000.

Food and Farming Minister Jim Paice explained the benefits of innovation in food and farming:

“The UK has a world-class reputation for innovation. I want to take this strength and use it to the economic advantage of the whole country.

“That’s why the Government is investing £15 million in the development of cutting edge ideas that increase efficiency and reduce waste in farming, food and drink production and manufacturing.

“By getting businesses innovating and enhancing the UK’s reputation as a world class pioneer of new production and manufacturing techniques, the food and farming sector can be a real engine for growth.”

The competitions were launched at the Farming, Food and Drink Innovation Summit. Funded in combination by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Technology Strategy Board (TSB), Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Scottish Government, the aim is to help industry develop new ideas and products that improve food production and manufacturing while having less impact on the environment.

Further information on the competitions is available from the Technology Strategy Board:

• Food processing and manufacturing efficiency: collaborative research and development grants;
• Innovation for growth in agriculture, food and drink: feasibility grants.

Baking with sound

Previous recipients of this type of award include a team at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland, which used ultrasound to improve the quality and nutritional value of bread and cakes while making production more energy-efficient.

The project applied ultrasound in an innovative and unique way to control the physical, organoleptic and processing aspects of bakery products, focussing on gluten-free and reduced salt products. The physical properties and thus organoleptics of bakery products made from doughs and batters are critically determined by formation of cell structure within these foods during the manufacturing process. Ultrasound sonication can control cell structure in these products and thus their finished product quality, as well as making processing more energy-efficient and reducing waste.

You may also be interested in...

• Hospitality and Food Service Agreement to reduce waste

Environment Minister Richard Benyon has announced a new £28 million Fund to support local communities in cleaning up England’s rivers and encouraging local wildlife to flourish.

Part of a £92 million Defra commitment to clearing up England’s rivers and lakes, the Catchment Restoration Fund will allow communities and charities to improve 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.

The fund will help meet the recent water white paper‘s commitment to improve water quality, meeting the requirements of the Water Framework Directive. Adopted in 2000, the directive provides the means to ensure that bodies of water function as healthy ecosystems, setting parameters on their ecology, biology and chemistry. The directive recognises the need to work in local river catchments and to involve local stakeholders in the design and implementation of improvements. The value of such improvements was recognised in the UK National Ecosystem Assessment.

Improving river habitats

Mr Benyon expressed hopes for the fund to help improve river habitats:

“Rivers and lakes are a vital, and much-loved, part of the English countryside and I want to ensure we make the most of what they have to offer us.

“We’ve all seen examples of rivers choked up with rubbish and weeds and know just how horrible that is to see. But where great care is taken we have seen some fantastic successes, such as the return of otters to all counties in England.

“With only a quarter of our lakes and rivers currently providing a home to a wide range of birds, fish and mammals, there is still much more we can all do. Today’s £28 million Fund will help communities and charities interested in doing just that and I hope it will lead to us soon celebrating the same sort of success for other iconic wildlife, such as water voles, kingfishers and salmon.”

Applying to the fund

The Environment Agency will be responsible for running the fund over the next three years and will ensure that money is given to local groups who can make a real difference. The fund will run initially from 2012/13 to 2014/15 with up to £10 million each year.

Community groups and charities can apply for a share of the Catchment Restoration Fund to clean up their local rivers by tackling pollution, restoring wildlife habitats and enabling fish to migrate. The lead applicant for funding must be a charity or an organisation with charitable, benevolent or philanthropic purposes.

Closing date for bids is 29th February. Funding will be awarded by April 30th following assessment by a national panel led by the Environment Agency and representatives from Defra and Natural England. There will also be further biddings rounds later this year.

Creating a better water environment

Lord Chris Smith, Chairman of the Environment Agency said:

“This is a great opportunity to create a better water environment. Cleaner water, flowing in a more natural landscape will be good for business, people and wildlife, and help society adapt to the effects of climate change.

“We encourage businesses, local authorities and community groups to join together with charitable organisations to apply for funding and come up with big ideas for their local waterway.”

Further reading

• Catchment Restoration Fund for England: further details from the Environment Agency;
• Catchment Restoration Fund applications: how to apply;
• Water Framework Directive: information from Defra;
• Water Framework Directive: information from Environment Agency.

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• Love your river
• Encouraging communities to engage with local landscapes
• Preparing communities for climate change

The Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has announced a new opportunity for initiatives in the East of England to support, advise and guide small businesses and other organisations in understanding the Cradle to Cradle principle and how it can assist them over the long term to be more sustainable and competitive.

Proposed project concepts from applicants to deliver projects in the East of England are invited by 30th January 2012.

Cradle to Cradle: an alternative to linear systems

The Cradle to Cradle framework represents a fundamental alternative to current linear (ie cradle to grave) production systems in which resources are shaped into products, sold, then eventually disposed of as waste. In linear systems businesses are encouraged to ‘do more with less’ or ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ or be ‘more resource efficient’. The Cradle to Cradle approach follows the principle that everything produced should be designed to be deconstructed into another product, process or service of the same or better quality, or safely composted back into the earth within a closed loop cycle. This includes every piece that the product or system has used, including inks, paints or other potentially toxic or chemical based materials.

The Cradle to Cradle concept was first described in the late 1970s by Walter Stahel, who developed a closed loop approach to production processes at the Product Life Institute in Geneva. The framework has been developed by Michael Braungart at the Environmental Protection Encouragement Agency in Hamburg and is described in his book Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things, co-authored with William McDonough. The Cradle to Cradle approach is also known as the circular economy, promoted in the UK by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

Developing the Cradle to Cradle approach

£1 million of European Regional Development Funding, which is managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government, will be made available for projects in the East of England under the European Regional Development Fund Competitiveness Programme (2007-13).

Successful initiatives will demonstrate that they can progress and stimulate market developments in new, developing and innovative products, process and services within multiple small businesses, with the main aim of improving and stimulating the East of England’s economy.

The European Regional Development Fund in the East of England

The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is investing €110.9 million in the East of England between 2007 and 2013, enhancing the competitiveness of the region’s economy by supporting growth in enterprise and employment. The East of England programme has a theme of low carbon economic growth with the following priorities:

• Priority 1 – Promoting innovation and knowledge transfer to improve productivity, to encourage commercialisation across the region’s research and development base, and establish energy efficient and clean technologies.
• Priority 2 – Stimulating enterprise and supporting successful businesses by overcoming barriers to business creation and expansion, improving access to finance for business and supporting the development of social enterprises.
• Priority 3 – Ensuring sustainable development, production and consumption by working with communities (both urban and rural) to support local jobs and business growth.

Further information

• Cradle to Cradle bidding round: DCLG call for proposals.

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman has announced new funding to start projects providing a ‘greenprint’ to help local residents turn derelict land into accessible green spaces, recycle more, and travel more sustainably.

Using the inspiration of the Olympic Games, Defra’s £800,000 Inspiring Sustainable Living grants will help local community groups with practical and achievable ways for residents to live more sustainably.

The Greenway, Olympic Park (courtesy London 2012)

Visiting the View Tube, a a social enterprise and community venue on The Greenway next to the Olympic Park, with the recipients of the Inspiring Sustainable Living grants, Ms Spelman said:

“Most people have a real desire to do the right thing by making more sustainable choices that are good for our planet.

“London 2012 is a once in a lifetime opportunity to inspire genuine change and provide a model of how living sustainably can be incorporated into whole communities as we build a green economy. These projects will contribute by making a practical difference in the community and leave a lasting green legacy.”

Inspiring Sustainable Living is providing start-up grants of £200,000 to each of the following projects for one year, to deliver results by March 2013:

• One Planet Experience (BioRegional)
  Recruiting 2,012 inspirational role models, including Olympians and Paralympians, to help them achieve more long-term sustainable lifestyles, and act as community leaders for sustainability. An interactive sustainability centre at the Games will encourage athletes to make and keep their sustainability pledges. Olympic sponsor Coca-Cola will also provide support for this project.
• Inspired to Sustainable Living (East Potential)
  Providing practical advice and assistance to social housing tenants to increase recycling rates and develop better understanding of nutrition for disadvantaged young people.
• Transform Project (Groundwork London)
  Transforming 20 areas of derelict land into local green spaces or community gardens, as well as improving local recycling rates and empowering people to lead more sustainable lifestyles and engage in environmental volunteering.
• Active Travel Champions (Sustrans)
  Providing training and support to volunteers so that they can encourage people in workplaces, schools, universities and communities to make healthier and more environmentally-friendly long-term transport choices.

Defra worked closely with the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) on selecting the projects which aim to help people live more sustainable lives using the inspiration of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The projects will benefit from Olympic ‘Inspire Mark’ endorsement and will be included in London 2012 official promotional materials.

Inspiring sustainable living

Representatives of the recipient organisations explained how the funding would help them inspire more sustainable living.

BioRegional Executive Director Sue Riddlestone hopes the One Planet Experience will “inspire local community leaders and Team GB Olympians and Paralympians to adopt pro-environmental behaviours and to become environmental champions”, while East Thames Director of Social and Economic Regeneration Pamela Gardner expects the East Potential project “to help people living in urban environments like east London to lead more sustainable lives for generations to come”.

Ben Coles, Director, Communities and Local Partnerships, Groundwork London explained how groundwork will “team up with London Sustainability Exchange to work across the host boroughs to transform derelict spaces into well-used and valued community spaces as part of the London 2012 legacy”.

Sustrans London Director Carl Pittam said, “Sustrans is excited to be part of Olympic fever, playing a role in helping people to cycle and walk more in the run up to and during London 2012. This is a real opportunity to be an Olympic host country that champions healthier and more active ways of travelling, both to the Games and as part of everyday life.”

Transport minister Norman Baker has announced that £560 million has been set aside as funding for the Local Sustainable Transport Fund over the four year period to 2014-15. The Department for Transport (DfT) has also published an interim report on research into attitudes to climate change and actual transport behaviours.

The Local Sustainable Transport Fund

The Department for Transport will publish guidance on the Local Sustainable Transport Fund’s operation in January 2011, inviting local transport authorities in England to apply for funding to support local sustainable transport initiatives.

Local transport authorities will be able to apply for funding for small packages of measures under £5 million or larger packages up to £50 million. While the Government is not setting conditions, supported measures are expected to include initiatives to promote walking and cycling, encourage modal shift, manage effectively demands on the network, secure better traffic management, improve road safety and improve access and mobility for local communities.

Mr Baker explained how the significance of the fund:

“The establishment of the Local Sustainable Transport Fund reflects the importance the Government attaches to helping build locally a strong economy and addressing at a local level the urgent challenge of climate change and the commitment made in the Coalition Agreement to promoting sustainable travel initiatives.”

In a speech to the Sustainable Transport 2010 Conference in October, Mr Baker set out the Government’s vision for a transport system that achieves economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Research into attitudes to climate change and transport choices

The DfT’s Social Research and Evaluation division provides an evidence base to improve the Department’s understanding of public attitudes and behaviours in relation to climate change and the motivators and barriers to more sustainable travel choices.

Following an earlier evidence base review (pdf, 2.3MB) and deliberative study into barriers and incentives to behavioural change, the latest study in the Department’s research programme aims to segment the adult population of England in terms of attitudes to climate change and actual transport behaviours.

Ahead of a final report due in 2011, an interim report and accompanying dataset has been published in order to provide evidence to support local authorities and other external bodies responsible for delivering sustainable transport, and to encourage further analysis of the data.

Preliminary finding suggest a wide range of challenges that must be addressed to enable more sustainable transport behaviour, including habitual use of cars, safety concerns over cycling, lack of time for walking, and a lack of suitable routes as a key barrier to bus and train use. An apparent disconnection exists between the more “pro-environmental” attitudes held by better educated respondents and the less sustainable transport behaviour of higher income groups.

Further reading

• Climate change and transport choices: segmentation study interim report: full interim report and final tables;
• Climate change and transport choices: dataset (SPSS format);
• Local Sustainable Transport Fund: statement to the House of Commons by Norman Baker MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport.

For further information, please contact Geoff Richards, Head of Climate Change Strategy at the Department for Transport: geoff.richards@dft.gsi.gov.uk

Defra has launched a Third Sector Fund to Inspire Sustainable Living using the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The funding will be available to third sector led projects that use the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games to inspire Sustainable Living, specifically in the areas of:

• Active travel (walking and cycling more)
• Sustainable consumption – for example eco-products or local and seasonal food
• Greener gardens / local areas
• More efficient resource use – particularly energy and water
• Waste less – recycle more

Funded organisations are expected to develop interventions that lead to adoption of greener behaviours by communities and individuals and to build capacity to continue the delivery of projects outputs up to 2012 and beyond. At the end of March 2011, beneficiaries will be required to submit a progress report and account for how they have used the funding.

The funding will be seedcorn funding for a year. However, Defra will explore developing its work with projects in subsequent years by making linkages between other Government Departmental projects around the Olympics and seek ways of providing other forms of support, to help the projects deliver their outputs. A series of workshops will explore the types of resources useful to organisations bidding for the funding.

Further information is available on the Defra website. The relevant forms will be made avaliable in due course to organisations that register an interest on the site.

The fund delivers action number 34 in Shaping our Future, the joint Ministerial and third sector Task Force on Climate Change, the Environment and Sustainable Development:

“In 2010 Defra has earmarked funding for activities focused on supporting individuals and communities to adopt more sustainable behaviours using the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games as an inspiration. The funding is for one year only but the intention is that it will catalyse activities that will extend up to 2012 and beyond.”

(Photo courtesy London 2012)

By 2020, the East of England could be generating enough low carbon electricity to power every home in the region, says Johnathan Reynolds, EEDA’s sustainable development manager.

The Norfolk offshore wind energy zone

The Norfolk zone is the second largest of the nine zones recently allocated to development partners in round 3 of the Crown Estate’s offshore wind energy generation programme. 10% larger than the county of Norfolk itself, the zone extends to over 6000 square kilometers off the Norfolk and North Suffolk coast. Around 1,000 turbines will be built there, generating 7.2GW clean electricity of the total 25GW expected from round 3.

Wind supply chain event

Development of offshore wind energy generation will bring enormous business opportunities, creating up to 70,000 new jobs nationally and contributing £75 billion to the UK economy by 2020. Many of these jobs will be in the supply chain, manufacturing components and supplying services to the wind farm developers.

On March 4th, EEDA co-hosted an offshore wind supply chain event with The Crown Estate, at OrbisEnergy, a centre of excellence for the renewables industry. The event was supported by Renewables East, the East of England Energy Group and OrbisEnergy, and attracted almost 300 businesses and partners.

Funding for low carbon research

EEDA has also recently announced that companies carrying out low carbon research and development in the East of England will be able to benefit from an extra £5.5 million in funding.

Further reading

• East of England Offshore Wind – Powering the Future: report available to download
• Offshore wind supply chain event: presentations available to download
• Low Carbon Innovation Centre: drawing on the latest research of the world-renowned School of Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia
• Low Carbon Research and Development Grants: more about the grants and how to apply