The pressure of the environment
From Future of Local Services to the Public
Contents |
Summary
Environmental pressures are predicted to become more intense in the future. For example, analysis undertaken by the Tavistock Institute, SOLON Consultants and LGIU for Communities and Local Government reveals that more frequent extreme weather conditions, issues around land use (particularly for housing and business) and around waste and transport are likely to be salient in 2015. The Stern Review of the Economics of Climate Change stated that the cost of inaction is too great the passge of the Climate Change Bill has committed the Government to cut total UK domestic CO2 emissions by 26-32% by 2020, and by 60% by 2050.
Impact
The analysis by the Tavistock Institute et al states that, '...land use pressures will be highly intertwined with the nature of economic growth. At the same time continually rising expectations of quality of life will sit alongside those intensifying environmental pressures and increasing demands for 'clean' solutions to them'.
Relevance
The 'All Our Futures' argues that 'resolving environmental challenges is increasingly dependant on challenging consumer behaviour', that is that it is down to local government to be more proactive in making sure that residents recycle waste, reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption for example.
Key references
www.foresight.gov.uk/Previous_Projects/Flood_and_Coastal_Defence/Defining_the_Project/Proposed_Approach/Proposed_Approach.html The Tavistock Institute, SOLON Consultants, LGIU and CLG (April 2006) 'All Our Futures: The challenges for local governance in 2015' www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/allourfutures
Department of Transport, Towards a Sustainable Transport System http://www.dft.gov.uk/about/strategy/transportstrategy/
The Climate Change Bill http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/uk/legislation/
The Stern Review http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/independent_reviews/stern_review_economics_climate_change/sternreview_index.cfm
