South East
Ecological Budget work in the UK has been given a boost as the South East Regional Assembly (SEERA) has adopted a stabilisation target in its draft SE Plan (RSS). Policy CC3 states:
In order to reflect the Plan’s emphasis on more sustainable resource use the Regional Assembly will promote measures that seek to stabilise the South East’s ecological footprint by 2016, and to reduce the ecological footprint during the second half of the Plan period. Implementation will require a sustained new programme of action incorporating:
i. Increased efficiency of resource use in new development
ii. Adaptation of existing development to reduce its use of energy, water and other resources
iii. Complementary legislation and fiscal measures by Government
iv. Changes in behaviour by organisations and by individuals.
Further, the Regional Development Agency, SEEDA, are intending to adopt footprint as the headline indicator alongside GVA.
The Ecological Footprint has previously been adopted as a headline indicator in the Integrated Regional Framework. This is the overarching strategy for the South East signed up to by all regional partners.
Regional partners are working together to establish a footprint reduction strategy with clear actions to achieve stabilisation and then redcution in footprint growth.
For further details on our work in the South East, please contact:
Lucy Young
WWF Regional Development Officer
t: 01747 851291
e: lyoung@wwf.org.uk
Or visit the Taking Stock website to view the earlier Ecological Footprint report for the South East. www.takingstock.org