Hello, teal-ga!
I assume your question is based upon the United Kingdom and have
gone ahead and answered accordingly. If, for some reason, I have
assumed incorrectly, please let me know!
Basic Overview of RDA's
=========================
What are Regional Development Agencies?
"RDAs are not planning authorities, their role is to co-ordinate
regional economic development. However, they are expected both to feed
into regional Planning Guidance (RPG) and to be informed by RPG. RPG
is the key planning guidance for each region produced at present by
the Regional Planning Body (RPB) and plays a crucial role in defining
the spatial strategy for each region.
One of the four statutory purposes of Regional Development Agencies
is to "contribute to the achievement of sustainable development."
Out of the four main "strands" defined by the Government relating to
sustainable development, two are directly connected with environmental
issues. These are:
1. The effective protection of the environment;
2. The prudent use of natural resources;
Unfortunately, some of the RDA's are more committed and farther
evolved in developing strategies to deal with these issues than
others.
From "Background - New and existing regional institutions in England."
The Woodland Trust (May, 2000)
http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/policy/briefingsmore/rda.htm
==
Below, I have highlighted some specific environmental problems facing
Regional Development Agencies and the associated or recommended
action.
==
Protection of Woodlands
***********************
The Woodland Trust is a big proponent of protecting the natural
forests in the UK.
According to "Background - New and existing regional institutions in
England." The Woodland Trust (May, 2000)
http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/policy/briefingsmore/rda.htm :
"One of the biggest threats to ancient woodland at the start of the
21st century is development pressure, much of this related to housing
and employment. A balance must be achieved between the economic needs
of the population and the protection of our environment for future
generations. We urge the RDAs to recognise that environmental
protection and enhancement lie at the heart of sustainable
development. Only then can the survival of ancient woodland, our
richest habitat for wildlife and an irreplaceable natural resource, be
ensured.
Recommended Action
==================
From "Millennium challenges for Government." The Woodland Trust.
(1999)
http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/policy/ouragendamore/challenge.htm
It is recommended that the "new Scottish Parliament, Welsh and
Northern Ireland Assemblies and English Regional Development Agencies
{utilise} sustainable, multi-purpose forestry in pursuing their
objectives."
"These new bodies should play a central role in shaping economic
development, regional strategies and environmental responsibilities in
their work and it is vital that forestry receives proper recognition
of the many benefits it can provide to the rural and urban economy."
==
From "Background - New and existing regional institutions in England."
The Woodland Trust (May, 2000)
http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/policy/briefingsmore/rda.htm :
The Woodland Trust recommends the initiation of "multi-purpose
forestry" which provides both environmental and economic benefits.
"Forestry has an important role to play in relation to economic
regeneration, both through improving landscapes scarred following the
decline of traditional industries, and through the enhancement of
existing greenspace. The National Forest in the Midlands is an
excellent example of a forestry initiative which is rapidly developing
and transforming the landscape in several counties and one upon which
the tourism industry is beginning to build.
The Woodland Trust highlights the progressive steps being taken by
the North West Development Agency and their clear commitment to
replanting forest growth. On the other hand, it stresses that other
RDA's are falling short in their commitment to environmental
protection. According to a report by the Council for the Protection of
Rural England, "it seems that protecting and improving the environment
and quality of life is not always given the priority it should be".
=
Further, the North West Development Agency, highlights the ongoing
emphasis on reclaiming "derelict and underused brownfield land to
create new development sites, parks and woodlands. This includes
Newlands, a major project in partnership with the Forestry Commission
to achieve a step change in land reclamation activity across the
region."
http://www.nwda.co.uk/RelatedContent.aspx?&area=95&subarea=147
Reducing Environmental Damage by Encouraging Sustainable Growth
****************************************************************
Encouraging the growth and continuation of Farmer's Markets is an
environmental plus for Regional Development Agencies, according to
Friends of the Earth.
From "RDA Briefing 2: Farmers' Markets." Friends of the Earth.
(modified June 2001)
http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings/rda_farmers_markets.html
"The current high level of food wastage is reduced as farmers' markets
offer an outlet for good food that is discarded because it doesn't fit
supermarkets' packaging requirements or because the supermarket
changes its order at the last minute. Food sold at farmers' markets
also requires less transport and consequently less processing,
packaging and preserving than food transported to distant centralised
warehouses before being hauled to supermarkets. Farmers' markets also
increase consumer interest in better quality food produced by less
environmentally damaging types of farming. For example, in an English
farmers' market survey, 57% of customers cited access to organic food
as a reason for attending."
Recommended Action:
==================
Regional Development Agencies should promote and support Farmer's
Markets in their development plans. Though the criteria for
implementing this strategy will differ according to region, several
methods of action are recommended'
As excerpted from the article:
1. Provide support for regional networks of farmers' markets.
If each RDA provided £25,000 over a three year period for
supporting such a network in its region matched funding could be found
- for example from sources such as the National Farmers Union, Local
Authorities or elements of the Rural Development Regulation, like the
Rural Enterprise Scheme. This would enable a regional network to
employ a co-ordinator. Such funding should continue until the networks
are self-supporting as they have become in the US.
2. Promote farmers' markets through regional branding initiatives
3. Encourage and support the inclusion of farmers' markets in
regeneration proposals. Farmers' markets help deliver on all the five
key national priorities for regeneration. RDAs in their regeneration
strategies for both SRB and rural regeneration should seek out and
encourage proposals that will develop farmers' markets.
4. Install the promotion of farmers' markets within rural economy
programmes, including the revitalisation of market towns.
5. Set a target for the development of farmers' markets within the
region of the next five years
Encouraging Sustainable Development without causing Environmental
Damage
************************************************************************
From "Chapter 4 - "Sustainable Development" Supplementary Guidance to
Regional Development Agencies. Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
(April 1999)
http://www.local-regions.odpm.gov.uk/rda/guide/suprda04.htm
The publication noted above recognizes the potential conflicts
between development and the environment.
4.2.1. Sustainable development is about ensuring a better quality of
life for everyone, now and for generations to come. It is concerned
with achieving economic growth, in the form of higher living
standards, while protecting and where possible enhancing the
environment - not just for its own sake but because a damaged
environment will sooner or later hold back economic growth and lower
the quality of life. Sustainable development is equally concerned with
making sure that these economic and environmental benefits are
available to everyone, not just to a privileged few.
4.2.2. Previously, while providing increased affluence and social
benefits, economic development has also led to environmental problems
and decline - climate change and global warming; air, land and water
pollution; and loss of biodiversity. Cleaning up the environment has
then had a cost. Frequently, it has been society rather than the
individual polluter or their customer that has had to bear these
costs. Failure to consider wider issues has also created social
problems, through social exclusion, damage to health and health
inequalities. Sustainable development is about looking for a different
model, where quality of life is enhanced by safeguarding the
environment while still having economic growth and social progress.
Recommended Action
==================
The publication stresses that some of the most successful strategies
for designing models that inspire economic and social progress while
minimizing environmental harm have been at the local level.
"...Companies (are) finding new uses for what were previously waste
products and using energy more efficiently or from renewable sources;
regenerating town centres to improve job opportunities while reversing
environmental decline; and promoting schemes where unemployed young
people learn new skills by renovating equipment that would otherwise
be discarded or by helping protect or enhance our biodiversity."
Regional Development Agencies can promote "good environmental
practices (such as energy efficiency, better environmental management
and reduction in the waste of raw materials and water etc) (which) can
bring businesses significant efficiency gains. There can also be
direct job creation in environmental industries.
Lack of Regional Strategies to Tackle Environmental Issues
************************************************************
From "The Integrated Approach to Regional Strategy Development in
England's East Midlands."
http://216.239.39.100/search?q=cache:goZl86YZ90IJ:www.eastmidlandsassembly.org.uk/documents/integrated_approach.doc+site:.uk+%2Benvironmental+issues+AND+regional+development+agencies&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
The Regional Assembly that coalesced during the formation of the East
Midlands Regional Development Agency quickly realized that there was
no consensus or overall vision among agencies.
"There was no agreed set of objectives covering all aspects of
sustainable development i.e. social, spatial, economic and
environmental issues. It certainly did not have a clear set of
regional strategies that addressed the key regional issues. Those
strategies that had been developed had not taken account of each
other, were not linked, and were certainly not integrated. Strategies
had often been prepared by single sectors or organisations without
adequate involvement or consultation of other key players."
Without an overall vision and plan, the responsibility to protect the
environment and carefully use natural resources would certainly
suffer.
Action Plan
===========
The formulation of the Integrated Regional Strategy (IRS) was first
realized in January of 1999. It included an "overall regional vision
and a set of 18 economic, social, environmental and spatial
objectives."
As of 2002, the IRS has proven quite successful. The East Midlands
Region has an "agreed vision" and, among other components, has
developed a Regional Environmental Strategy.
List of RDA Websites
=====================
Northwest Development Agency
http://www.nwda.co.uk/
Yorkshire Forward
http://www.yorkshire-forward.com/
One North East (ONE)
http://www.onenortheast.co.uk/
Advantage West Midlands (AWM)
http://www.advantagewm.co.uk/
East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA)
http://www.emda.org.uk/main/default.asp
East of England Development Agency (EEDA)
http://www.eeda.org.uk/
South East England Development Agency (SEEDA)
http://www.seeda.co.uk/
South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA)
http://www.southwestrda.org.uk/
London Development Agency (LDA)
http://www.lda.gov.uk/index.asp
=====
I hope I have provided sufficient information for you to understand
the major environmental impacts affecting Regional Development
Agencies and the remedies that are being undertaken to provide
potential solutions.
If you need further clarification, or some of the links do not work,
please don't hesitate to ask *before* rating my answer, and I will be
happy to help you in any way that I can!
umiat-ga
Google Search Strategy
site:.uk +environmental issues AND regional development agencies |
Clarification of Answer by
umiat-ga
on
05 Jun 2003 15:10 PDT
teal-ga,
I am happy to try to dig a bit deeper into the environmental issues
facing RDA's, but the scope of your question has changed considerably
from the original.
Your original question focused on the environmental problems facing
Regional Development Agencies. Since RDA's are regional entitities,
with very little authority, your question implied that you wanted to
know about *regional* environmental problems. These are the problems I
outlined in my answer.
Issues such as climate change, renewable energy and national
legislation are issues facing the United Kingdom as a whole and
outside the scope of a regional "advisory" agency.
Are you saying that you now want a different answer that focuses on
environmental issues facing the entire United Kingdom, as opposed to
small regional issues particular to RDA's? This would come under the
guise of an entirely new question.
Since Regional Development agencies are, as their name implies,
"regional", they are merely advisory agencies that have been given the
broad job of coordinating regional economic development within their
region. Out of the four statutory purposes they have been granted,
only a small portion deals with environmental issues. That is
primarily the issue of sustainable development. There are a few issues
they might also face when considering economic regeneration and
development within their "region" as well. However, their primary goal
is environmental protection and ensuring the prudent use of resources.
I am willing to dig a bit deeper concerning local issues and how
these local issues might integrate with UK concerns as a whole.
However, I believe that delving into national problems requires a new
question.
While I am investigating a bit more, please try to pinpoint the exact
scope of your academic paper, and determine whether it truly requires
a differently worded, "accessory" question.
umiat
|
Clarification of Answer by
umiat-ga
on
05 Jun 2003 20:28 PDT
Hello again, teal-ga!
Here is the further information that I promised.
********************************************************************************
How can Regional Development Agencies become more involved in
Environmental Concerns?
********************************************************************************
The group, English Nature, in a paper titled "Inquiry into Science
and the Regional Development Agencies Consultation Paper." (February
2003)
http://www.english-nature.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/ScienceandRDAs.pdf
recently called on the Regional Development Agencies to become more
proactive in conducting scientific research in four major areas of the
environment .Since the Regional Development Agencies have the task of
monitoring and advising issues of economic development, among other
tasks, English Nature believes it would be extremely beneficial for
RDA's to understand how various industrial and commercial entities
might impact sensitive environmental areas and wildlife species.
English Nature's recommendations for change:
Reap the benefits of becoming involved
======================================
"The RDAs are not a major contributor to this type of research but
should make a greater contribution since much of it involves the
interaction between commercial and industries sectors and the
environment. The benefits of RDA involvement are two-fold; on the one
hand they would gain a better understanding of sectoral impacts on the
environment, which may lead to improved advice to these sectors on
ways of reducing or mitigating impacts; on the other hand they would
become more aware of the potential for resource productivity and
resource efficiency gains in these sectors (e.g. reducing pollution,
or water consumption is generally cost-effective investment)
Develop an awareness and understanding of the natural environment
====================================================================
"The RDAs have a role in fostering the regional skills base, and their
investment in scientific research should include promoting a wide
understanding of the natural environment. The establishment of
priorities for nature conservation action relies on a sound
understanding of the spatial distribution and trends in species
populations and habitats. Much of this information has in the UK been
collected by networks of amateur volunteer recorders coordinated
through organised recording schemes run by the Centre for Ecology and
Hydrology. English Nature is concerned at a long-term decline in
skills and knowledge of the natural environment in the population at
large. Fewer people able to identify species, particularly less-well
known groups, means that future decisions about nature conservation
action and countryside management may have to rely on less complete
data. Research is also important to underpin educational activities
(school age and adult education) and countryside management skills.
Promote environmental technologies that benefit the environment
==================================================================
"RDAs have a role to play in stimulating and supporting environmental
technology industries through scientific research, as well as by
stimulating markets for products. Since 1999 English Nature has been a
partner in a number of studies of the contribution made by the
environment to regional economies; these now exist in 7 of the English
regions. Most of these conclude that there is scope for the further
development of the environmental technology sector e.g. waste
treatment and recycling, remediation of polluted soils on
post-industrial brownfield sites, energy efficiency and renewable
energy technologies, waste water treatment processes. These industries
not only bring economic benefits to their regions if they prosper, the
more widespread adoption of their products and processes should lead
to environmental improvements in the long-term, both locally and more
widely through exports.
Recognize the regional impact of Climate Change
=================================================
"Climate change models developed under the UK Climate Impacts
Programme suggest that significant changes to weather patterns are
likely over the next 50 to 80 years. These changes, for example the
increased likelihood of summer droughts and winter rainfall and
storms, have implications for many sectors at a regional level of
interest to RDAs. Whilst a lot of climate change studies and
predictive modelling has been carried out at a UK level, and new tools
are available for their translation to a regional scale, there is a
shortfall in research into the determination of local-scale and
sectoral impacts. Many industries and regional economic activities
could be affected for example tourism, agriculture, forestry, nature
conservation, water resources management, flood management. There are
also gaps in understanding the links between climate change and
socio-economic activities and models. Since RDAs have a role in
fostering economic activity in the long-term, it is important that
they continue to invest in research into climate change. EIT 14
February 2003
***************************************************************************
Current concerns and successful strategies of Regional Development
Agencies
****************************************************************************
The "Partnership and Exploitation Policy Directorate" conducted a
dialog with Regional Development Agencies in August 2000 concerning
progress and concerns they had regarding sustainable development and
the environment.
"Recent Developments" Briefing Paper 3:9 August 2000.
http://www.nerc.ac.uk/for-nerc/pepd/RDAbrief3.PDF
Examples of specific environmental issues being tackled by some RDA's
follow:
One North East
==============
A) Developing guidance on sustainable construction techniques.
B) Developing techniques to integrate sustainable
development/environmental thinking into cluster development work.
C) Assessing their own environmental performance.
D) Assisting the environmental products and services sector/cluster to
expand via support for the Environmental Industries Foundation
Summarised main regional environmental problems as being:
a) waste management
b) climate change
c) post-industrial legacy ofcontaminated land -including mine waste on
Durham coast
d) water in old mines) protection, enhancement and exploitation
of"heritage" areas.
Yorkshire Forward
=================
A) Major projects include looking at waste as a resource (in
conjunction with Urban Mines)
B) One of YF's objectives is to reduce greenhouse emissions by20% by
2010.
Advantage West Midlands
=======================
A) Have had a sustainability appraisal carried out of their Regional
Strategy. Indicated strategy could be strengthened by more explicit
commitment to ensuring measures to promote economic growth are
designed to minimise environmental impacts and generate environmental
improvements.
B) In conjunction with the Environment Agency, are funding a research
project on business in the environmental goods and services industry
and on activities which promote environmental improvements in land
based sectors of agriculture and forestry. Bodies on Steering
Committee include RSPB and Forest Enterprise
South West of England Regional Development Agency
=================================================
A) Promotion of the environmental technologies sector.
B) Establishment of the South West Renewable Energy Group
South East England Development Agency
=====================================
A) Working on a Regional Sustainability Framework which will set a
comprehensive list of performance indicators relating to the economic,
social and environmental aspects of sustainability.
B) Promoting the Environmental Technologies sector within the region
as one of the key business sectors.
C) Involved with regional partners in consideration of issues
including climate change, water supply and waste management.
************************************
The issue of Regional Waste Disposal
*************************************
A section of the document "Resource productivity: making more with
less." The Performance and Innovation Unit. (2001)
http://www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/innovation/2001/resource/report/annexd.htm
highlights the necessity of tackling the waste processing and
transport issue.
"A relatively small proportion of waste from a local authority is
processed (landfilled, incinerated or recycled) within that local
authority. But equally, waste is not transported from one end of the
country to another. Instead, with the exception of large volumes of
waste taken outside London, waste is moved about primarily within
regional boundaries."
** See Table D1: Percentage of industrial and commercial waste
retained within regions
******************************************************************************
Preserving the Countryside by encouraging development on urban
"recycled" land
******************************************************************************
From "Sprawl Alert Sounded On Economic And Industrial Development."
Council for the Protection of Rural England.(March 2001)
http://www.cpre.org.uk/press-releases/press-rel-2001/013.htm
The Council for the Protection of Rural England has called on the UK
government to set a national target for the use of urban recycled land
for economic development. They have also asked the Regional
Development Agencies to back this target.
"Research published by CPRE today sets out for the first time the
extent to which economic and industrial development (factories,
offices and warehouses) in each region has taken place on urban land
rather than greenfield sites. The research "Working Out of Town" shows
that nearly one third of economic development is taking place on
greenfield land and 67 sq. km of rural land was developed between 1985
and 1995."
** To date, none of the RDAs or Regional Planning Bodies{3} (RPBs)
has adopted a target to improve on this record.**
"CPRE is calling on the Government to set a national target of 85%,
and for this to be backed by challenging regional targets produced by
the RDAs and the RPBs."
"Working Out of Town shows that the regional rates of urban land
recycling for industrial and economic development vary from 53% in the
South West to 95% in London, indicating considerable scope for
improvement across the country."
A ccording to Nigel Kersey, CPRE’s Senior Regional Policy Officer,
"Our challenge to the RDAs flows naturally from the Government’s
objectives of urban renaissance, countryside protection and the target
for 60% of new housing to be located on previously developed sites. We
need joined-up action by Government departments, the RDAs and the
Regional Planning Bodies to boost economic activity in our towns and
protect the countryside."
********************************************************************
Engaging Regional Development Agencies in National Park Development
*********************************************************************
From "National Parks at the Heart of Sustainable Development." News
Release. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Sept
2002)
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2002/020918a.htm
As excerpted from a keynote address by Rural Affairs Minister Alun
Michael:
"If our own National Parks are not to become museums of the landscape
they must be successful in economic and social terms, too. We believe
passionately in sustainable development - a future in which economic,
social and environmental considerations are balanced in harmony.
"So our National Parks will be our test-beds for sustainable
development. They are national assets identified because they are,
with Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), our most beautiful
and precious landscapes and ones which are especially desirable to
conserve and enhance for us to understand and enjoy.
"Our first priority is to protect them for the future, encourage our
understanding, and to promote their recreational use. But it is also
crucial to promote the economic and social success of the communities
that live in our National Parks. The Association of National Parks
Authorities suggested that we should see National Parks as exemplars
of Rural Revival, and I believe we can go even further. As test-beds
for sustainable development, they can show the way forward for all
rural areas, whose well-being is central to Defra's priorities."
***
"That is why I recently brought Regional Development Agencies and
local government representatives together with representatives of
National Parks and AONBs to develop a strategy for the future. In each
region of England, these partners will set out their joint plans for
joint action and I will publish these as a consolidated document by
the end of the year. I am confident the result will be bigger than the
sum of the parts."
****
Well, I think I could probably research this topic for days, but, at
this point, I do believe I have provided an adequate answer for the
price of your question:)
No doubt, it is a fascinating bit of research. The UK is quite
different than the US in terms of organizations and governmental
management of issues!
I hope these extra references will help you to formulate your paper,
and give you a broader base of information from which to work!
umiat-ga
Google Search strategy
site:.uk "regional development agencies" +climate issues
site:.uk "regional development agencies" +national legislation
site:.uk "regional development agencies" +pollution issues
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