DC08-285 August 12, 2008
South East's ‘Very clear’ environmental strategy praised by independent report
But there needs to be a more joined up approach between regions
An independent report sponsored by BT has praised the South East for its environmental initiatives and “very clear” strategy – but called for a more “joined up” approach between the UK’s regions and countries.
The report, which examined the sustainable development strategies of every English region, Scotland and Wales, recommends better sharing of best practice and for “more crossing of regional boundaries” by successful initiatives.
Despite the growing importance of sustainable development in national politics, there is “little consistency in the way it is addressed”.
It says communication between regions could be improved by initiatives such as an online directory of sustainable development case studies, policies and practices, and an annual UK-wide conference or roundtable.
“There is a real need to improve the way in which the experience gained from these initiatives is shared and used to stimulate further good practice,” states the BT-sponsored report by the UK Centre for Economic and Environmental Development.
“It is important that there should be the opportunity for joining up initiatives across regional boundaries to integrate good practice.” This would “help these better examples become more prevalent UK-wide.”
The South East regional economic strategy is praised by the report for being “very good at painting the picture of the region and noting its successes and challenges. It is also very clear in how it presents the links between policy and the likely results of that policy.”
It “strives to deliver a number of transformational actions to achieve its objectives”, such as 100 per cent next generation broadband coverage, the establishments of new world class research facilities and global leadership in environmental technologies.
The region’s EnviroBusiness initiative, set up in 2006 to support South East businesses in the growing environmental markets, is highlighted for its “comprehensive approach”, whilst the report’s authors are “particularly impressed” by the linking of ICT to sustainable development in the South East strategy.
However, across the UK as a whole the report comments that information and communications technology (ICT) is “being surprisingly overlooked as a key enabler for sustainable development and should be re-assigned a higher priority” and better integrated with policies in areas, such as transport and energy.
Digital inclusion, too, “is not being covered as well as it was and, given the importance of ICT knowledge and skills to the economy and environment, we believe it is important for it to be featured in future strategies.”
Mike Galvin, South East regional director for BT, said: “We believe this report is a useful contribution to the debate on sustainable development. There are some excellent initiatives being undertaken in the South East and other parts of the UK on this very important subject - but we must make sure that all successes are taken up across the UK as a whole, not just in one region or area.
“BT knows from its own experience that ICT can play a vital role in sustainable development, making a considerable amount of travel unnecessary as well as helping people achieve a good balance between work and home life. We now have more than 10,000 people who work from home and 64,000 more who are equipped to work flexibly.
“Conferencing by phone and the internet is another major contributor to sustainability, last year saving at least 97,000 tonnes on BT’s carbon footprint and eliminating 860,000 face to face meetings.”
The report calls for the plans and strategies to be “made more accessible by having a simpler, more structured layout” including:
• key actions and lead responsibilities highlighted with timelines;
• more compelling success stories indicating how regional agency help creates added value;
• clear links between the various different regional strategies;
• a common set of indicators and measures for sustainable development policy covering climate change in particular;
• regular public reviews of progress against targets.
It comments that the “sudden withdrawal” of government support for some activities has led to a loss of confidence in long term funding for regional sustainable development programmes.
The report says: “The government should assist the English regional development agencies by providing more certainty in how regional sustainable development programmes will be supported in the long term.”
Notes to Editors:
The report ‘Making Sustainability Real - A Challenge for Regional Agencies’ has been produced by the UK Centre for Economic and Environmental Development (UK CEED) and sponsored by BT. The full report is available at
www.btplc.com/Thegroup/BTRegions/England/Factsandfigures/Factsandfigures.htm
