West Midlands
The Ecological Budget project in the West Midlands focusses on homes & communities and runs between June 2004 and March 2006. Following is a status report on our progression:
1) The West Midlands Steering group
The group is well established and comprises:
- WWF
- West Midlands Regional Assembly
- Govt Office West Midlands
- Wolverhampton Metropolitan Borough Council
- West Midlands Regional Sustainability Forum
- English Heritage, Birmingham City Council
- West Mids Regional Observatory
- Advantage West Mids
- Environment Agency
- Sustainability West Midlands.
Workshops are planned for later this year to focus on policy scenarios and the REAP tool.
2) Mass Balance and Ecological Footprint
A report for the region complete with scenarios and policy recommendations is currently being developed.
3) Training
Currently, we are focussing on training the relevant parties on the Resource Energy Analysis Programme (REAP) to help them prapare, understand and plan for the environmental impacts of policy at the regional level
4) Scanarios
A report detailing the outcome of scenario planning with REAP produced in consultation with focus groups from relevant sectors within the region (e.g. Regional Assembly, SD Forum etc) is currently in development.
5) Housing Renovation
We are currently comparing a range of housing types to determine the Ecological Footprint involved in renovating these houses to BRE Ecohomes Excellent standard as well as the consequential impact on the ‘in use’ Ecological Footprint.
6) Comparing Communities
A comparison of a range of communities is underway to determine how their footprints could be reduced.
7) Capacity building, training, and education
Here we are focussing on the use of material flow analysis data, and the ecological footprint model.
For further details on the project in the West Midlands, please contact:
Paul Mosley
England Footprint Manager
t: 01904 642730
e: pmosley@wwf.org.uk