Action for Sustainability The Programme for Integrating Sustainable Development across the North West
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Action for Sustainability Action for Sustainability is the North West’s contribution to the national and global sustainable development agendas. The agreed framework for promoting sustainability issues in the North West and for guiding and influencing decision-making among the region’s business, government, voluntary and community sectors. A means of working together, locally and regionally, towards a better quality of life, shaped by continuing dialogue and engagement. A means of integrating the region’s economic, environmental and social needs and priorities.
This Programme is one of a suite of documents and tools that support the delivery of Action for Sustainability. They include: • AfS Framework • AfS Programme • AfS Review 2000 – 2003 • Footprint North West • Integrated Appraisal Toolkit (IAT) • Planit-nw For further information visit: www.actionforsustainability.org.uk Or contact: Sustainable Development Policy Unit North West Regional Assembly Wigan Investment Centre Waterside Drive Wigan WN3 5BA Telephone: 01942 776 723 Email: info@actionforsustainability.org.uk
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Contents Page Section 1 – Defining AfS
4
Vision 2020 Developing AfS About the Principles Delivery Process Regional Objectives
4 5 6 6 7
Section 2 – Delivering Sustainable Solutions This section details the cross cutting activity that AfS will drive forward in order to deliver these first two regional objectives.
8
Mainstream Sustainable Practices Education for Sustainable Development
8 11
Section 3 – Monitoring and Reporting
13
On track for a more sustainable future
13
Section 4 – The Priorities 14 Sustainable Transport and Access Sustainable Production and Consumption Social Equity Biodiversity and Landscapes Active Citizenship Lifelong Learning Cultural Distinctiveness Climate Change Healthy Communities Enterprise and Innovation
16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48 52
Annex 1 – Glossary Annex 2 – Key Regional and Sub-Regional Strategies
56
57
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Section 1 – Defining AfS Vision 2020 The vision for 2020 A North West that embraces sustainable development as the sound foundation for delivering an improved quality of life for the people of the region and across the world. Action for Sustainability (2000)
Action for Sustainability is the regional Framework to help policy decision makers within all sectors of the North West arrive at more sustainable solutions. This Programme marks the second stage of our work towards achieving the long-term goals of AfS for 2020.
Long-term goals for the North West • A healthy, safe and socially responsible region where all people have access to necessities and are enabled to improve their quality of life • A distinctive, clean and tree rich region which safeguards its wildlife, habitats and landscapes and acts to limit the local impacts of climate change • A region that uses its resources wisely, makes full use of renewable alternatives, produces minimal waste and conserves its historic environment • A thriving, prosperous and attractive region of high employment with the necessary infrastructure to support it and which uses land efficiently Action for Sustainability (2000)
Recognising the economic, environmental and social interactions between high-level strategies is of vital importance for sustainable development and is not something that can be delivered by a single organisation or, indeed, many organisations working in isolation. This Programme will therefore largely be delivered through embedding the principles of sustainable development into the delivery of existing regional strategies and objectives. Delivering all our regional objectives according to the principles of sustainable development will ensure that the North West takes positive steps towards a more integrated approach – developing mutually supportive and reinforcing sustainable solutions for our economy, environment and society.
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Developing AfS Between October 2001 to February 2003 over 600 individuals and organisations took part in a series of seminars, designed to build on the work of the first Action for Sustainability programme, with events organised by the following sectors: Environment Voluntary Construction Health LA21
Academic Community Faith Education Youth
A consultation Action Plan followed in May 2003, over 1200 copies of which were distributed across the region and to key national organisations to invite public participation in the development of AfS. Its launch was supported by a further series of engagement events led by forums with an interest in the issues involved and by the North West Regional Assembly’s Key Priority Groups: NW Rural Affairs Forum Knowledge Economy KPG Economy & Society KPG Federation of Small Businesses NW Coastal Forum
NW Historic Environment Forum European and International Affairs KPG SME Sector NW Biodiversity Forum
The consultation raised a number of key issues for consideration: • Sustainable development cannot be achieved through the delivery of individual objectives • Regional objectives should be presented and delivered through a series of cross cutting priority themes • The AfS Programme must focus on key issues of regional and local significance • AfS should monitor and report on the implications for sustainable development of all activities across the region It also identified ten priorities for AfS to address: Sustainable transport and access Social equity Active citizenship Cultural distinctiveness Healthy communities
Sustainable production and consumption Biodiversity and landscapes Lifelong learning Climate change Enterprise and innovation
All of the priorities are to a certain extent interconnected and action to support one may have a beneficial or detrimental effect on others. Each priority is also at a different stage of development, largely reflecting the interests of national policy. Section 4 addresses these priorities in detail, setting each in a regional context and identifying existing regional objectives that could, or already do contribute towards its sustainable delivery. These priorities were further endorsed through the Regional Dialogue on the UK Sustainable Development Strategy. The ongoing challenge for the Programme is therefore twofold: • To progress the priorities, individually and collectively, by raising awareness of sustainable solutions and mainstreaming them within day to day activities • To comment on the sustainability of its regional partners’ ongoing activities and practices
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About the Principles The following principles – developed in conjunction with the regional priorities and reflecting both the national and international sustainability agendas – underpin the bid for sustainable development in the North West. They should be considered intrinsic to the development and delivery of all regional policy and used as a benchmark for measuring the success of that policy, as illustrated in the Delivery Process Diagram below. They are to: • Integrate economic, environmental and social activities* • Encourage partnership and subsidiarity in decision-making and delivery • Link needs and opportunities • Adopt the Precautionary Principle • Develop a productive and competitive economy • Create and restore natural, physical and cultural assets • Ensure openness, participation and opportunity to access information and justice • Make the polluter pay • Reduce poverty and build social and economic inclusion • Respect environmental limits by using the ecosystem approach • Take account of all costs and benefits • Take a long-term global perspective • Capitalise on scientific innovation • Value diversity, promote equity and equality of opportunity for all * At the heart of sustainable development is the acknowledgement that a sustainable future can only be delivered if the impacts of, and on, the three pillars of economy, environment and society are considered in a holistic manner. A successful NW economy is key for tackling unemployment, social deprivation, social exclusion and dereliction; a diverse and thriving environment provides the basis of our economic and social well-being; vibrant and strong communities provide support and ensure an enriched quality of life. In the construction of this partnership document it is imperative that no one pillar assumes dominance over the others but are seen equally and in the context of the remaining principles as stated above. It is purely to maintain consistency, throughout the Programme document, that the three pillars are referred to in alphabetical order.
Delivery Process The 10 Regional Priorities
Consultation
Sustainable Development Principles
Assessment
Feedback
Influence
Deliver Sustainable Outcomes Reflect
Review
Objectives in Regional Strategies
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Regional Objectives This suite of regional objectives reflects activity that is either currently being delivered through existing strategies, or that is under development. Each of these objectives arise from strategies produced by a variety of organisations, which are themselves driven by various outcomes. They do not represent the objectives of sustainable development. Their ability to lead to a sustainable future will therefore depend on the ways in which they are interpreted by their parent organisations and delivery networks. It is these objectives that the principles of sustainable development will need to be applied to through the mainstreaming and awareness raising activity detailed in Section Two. Regional Objective
Strategy
Mainstream sustainable development and integrate activities across the region Raise public awareness of issues and solutions through education for sustainable development Sustainably produce and manage energy resources Manage waste sustainably, minimise its production and increase reuse, recycling and recovery rates Improve the competitiveness and productivity of business Exploit the growth potential of business sectors Ensure the availability of a balanced portfolio of employment sites Develop and exploit the Region’s knowledge base Deliver rural renaissance Deliver urban renaissance Secure economic inclusion Develop and maintain a healthy labour market Develop the strategic transport, communications and economic infrastructure Develop and market the Region’s image Protect, enhance and manage the Region’s rich diversity of cultural and built environmental and archaeological assets Protect and enhance the biodiversity, local character and accessibility of the landscape across the region Protect and enhance endangered species, habitats and sites of geological importance Improve and protect inland and coastal waters
AfS
Increase the regional tree cover and ensure sustainable management of existing woodland Achieve cleaner air for everyone Economy in the use of land and buildings Active management of mineral resources Improve health and reduce health inequalities Improve local access to good quality, affordable and resource efficient housing Reduce crime, disorder and fear of crime Improve educational achievement, training and opportunities for lifelong learning and employability Increase the use of locally produced goods, foods and services Improve choice and use of sustainable transport modes Mitigate and adapt to climate change Restore and protect land and soil
AfS Regional Sustainable Energy Strategy Regional Waste Strategy Regional Economic Strategy Regional Economic Strategy Regional Economic Strategy Regional Economic Strategy Regional Economic Strategy Regional Economic Strategy Regional Economic Strategy Regional Economic Strategy Regional Economic Strategy Regional Economic Strategy Making it Count: the North West Historic Environment Regional Biodiversity Strategy Regional Biodiversity Strategy Vision for our Environment: Making it Happen Regional Forestry Strategy Vision for our Environment: Making it Happen Regional Spatial Strategy Regional Spatial Strategy Investment for Health Plan Regional Housing Strategy Crime and Disorder Partnerships Framework for Regional Employment and Skills Action AfS Regional Transport Strategy Regional Spatial Strategy National Soil Strategy
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Section 2 – Delivering Sustainable Solutions Cross cutting activity: Mainstream sustainable development and integrate activities across the region
The Context Action for Sustainability works to embed sustainability within regional strategies and activities and to integrate our economic, environmental and social progress to develop sustainable, mutually reinforcing, solutions. The Action for Sustainability Management Board (AMB), supported by its Technical Advisory Group, has responsibility for taking the AfS programme forward. The core aim of the AMB is to challenge and utilise their powers of influence to affect regional activities so that they become more sustainable. It also has an important role to play in influencing and challenging national issues. Sustainable development is already a statutory requirement for many regional agencies. The North West Development Agency has a duty to promote sustainable development within its area of responsibility, has completed a sustainability appraisal of the Regional Economic Strategy (RES) and is committed to transforming the North West through sustainable economic development. The next RES review will also require an Environmental Assessment under the EU Directive on Strategic Environmental Assessment. The North West Regional Assembly has a duty to carry out a sustainability appraisal of the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS), which will also be subject to an Environmental Assessment. The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act (2004) requires the NWRA to exercise its functions in relation to the RSS "with the objective of contributing to the achievement of sustainable development". Many other regional bodies are taking on sustainability on a voluntary basis, recognising the value added to policy and project development, including for example the health and housing sectors. Sustainable regeneration means ensuring that the voice of the people and communities is heard throughout the development and delivery process. Local Strategic Partnerships are also recognising the value that an integrated sustainability perspective can give to their proposals and plans. To be effective in this we need a strong lead from national government, particularly as it reviews the National Sustainable Development strategy. We also need commitment from regional agencies to our sustainability agenda. Commitment to sustainable development at a regional level began with Government Office North West, North West Development Agency, and the North West Regional Assembly signing a concordat to take forward Action for Sustainability as one of the three core regional strategies in 2000. This was followed by a concordat between the NWRA and the Environment Agency. More recently the Environment Agency and the NWDA signed a Memorandum of Understanding committed to improving the quality of life for people across the region in 2004. The Memorandum identifies how the two organisations are currently working well together; and areas for better collaborative working in the future. Progressing Action for Sustainability: a North West Review 2000-2003 highlighted many examples of regional activities that are achieving economic, environmental and social goals simultaneously. Excellent examples of good practice can be found throughout the region. However, there is still a gap in transferring this learning and knowledge of what sustainable development looks like on the ground into mainstream reality.
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The Challenges Mainstreaming sustainable development principles at policy and strategy level, together with robust application of these principles at programme and project delivery level are vital to the sustainability of the North West. Policy-makers and practitioners must continue to work together to push the boundaries of understanding to ensure that the relevance of sustainability to all North West activity is clearly identified and progressed. To assist in this process a number of regional tools have been developed. The Integrated Appraisal Toolkit is used to help decision-makers, planners and investors throughout the region assess and improve the sustainability of their projects, plans, policies and strategies. Planit-nw is an exciting new approach to learning, using a sophisticated interactive software programme, to aid collaborative working and help learners understand how to make balanced decisions. To put sustainability into the mainstream, we need national political commitment to address the full impact of our life choices. However, there is a lack of real challenge to the way we presently live our lives, with no sense of urgency, because we currently do not have to deal with a publicly obvious crisis. The Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) plays a vital role in contributing to environmental, social and economic life, and their participation is essential if we are to achieve sustainable development. The obstacle of the shortterm focus of most public and private sectors needs to be removed to enable VCS to be supported and for all society to play an active part in the regeneration of the North West. Long-term planning is needed to address the problems we are creating. To do this effectively we need to be realistic about the scale of the problems and the step-change that needs to occur as a policy response. There is a need for a programme of research and ‘blue-sky’ thinking to identify priorities, fill gaps in knowledge and develop action programmes. A particular focus will be on regional objectives without an existing lead body: increasing the use of locally produced goods, foods and service, and restoring and protecting land and soil. Both of these objectives are good examples of the cross cutting nature of sustainable development and the need to engage with a number of the Regional Priorities if they are to be delivered successfully. More integrated measurements of our progress need to be established. We need to recognise, and address the interactions between individual sustainability indicators, targets and objectives. For example, increasing renewable energy production will cut carbon emissions, but this positive measure will be far outweighed by the negative impact of increases in air travel. These measurements need to be robust in their demonstration of the interconnections so that the scale and dimension of the challenge is no longer up for debate, but is clear for all to see. The NWRA have developed a monitoring framework for the Regional Spatial Strategy and are now developing an integrated approach to measuring regional progress towards sustainability, able to demonstrate interactions and connectivity between regional objectives. The NWDA is currently reviewing its output and Regional Economic Strategy Outcome indicators and is considering suitable indicator measures to assess progress towards a low carbon economy. The NWDA is also working with the Environment Agency on the REWARD programme to develop a Regional Environmental-Economics Input Output model. This modelling tool aims to analyse the effects of economic trends and policies on resources and the environment, particularly waste, air, water and energy.
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Activity
Lead agency
Timescale
Lead the North West’s input to the UK Sustainable Development Strategy review Deliver a programme of sustainability training using the Planit-nw learning simulation to: • Local Strategic Partnerships • Sub-regional partnerships • PCT • Educational establishments Training key regional and sub-regional structures in the use of the Integrated Appraisal Toolkit: • Local Strategic Partnerships • Local Development Frameworks • NWDA project appraisal process Encourage the use and development of the Integrated Appraisal Toolkit across NW activities and project appraisals Work with regional partners to ensure sustainable development is embedded within key Regional Strategies
GONW
Report produced for DEFRA August 2004 Delivery of Planit-nw to all 44 NW LSP completed by August 2005
Produce the first North West Index of Corporate Responsibility
NWRA/NWDA and Business in the Community NWRA
Blue-sky Thinking / research with particular focus on the regional objectives without an existing lead body or delivery mechanism: • Increase the use of locally produced goods, foods and services • Restore and protect land and soil Develop an integrated approach to measuring regional progress towards sustainability, able to demonstrate interactions and connectivity between regional objectives. Continue to develop and refine the REWARD programme Report on the North West Ecological Footprint
NWRA/NWDA and partners
AMB
10 training sessions by 2006
AMB
30 regional and 100 sub-regional/ local appraisals by 2007
AMB
RSS – Summer 05 RES – Autumn 05 RTS – Summer 05 RSES – Spring 05 Publication March 2005 40 businesses recruited to Index by 2006 Initial discussions held by 2004 Action plans developed 2005
NWRA
First report to be produced 2007
EA/NWDA
Ongoing
NWRA
Annually
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Cross cutting activity: Raise public awareness of issues and solutions through education for sustainable development
The Context Education for sustainable development is about the learning needed to maintain and improve our quality of life now and for generations to come. If we are to change established behaviour and practices, particularly in relation to production and consumption, we need to make the concept and language of sustainable development more accessible and develop a coherent approach to policy-making across all government departments. This will take place on two, mutually supportive platforms: within schools and post 16 learning, on both a formal and informal basis. Both share the considerable challenge of responding to the evolving global economy by embracing new methods of teaching and learning, delivering appropriate skills and promoting social inclusion. The Challenge The Government’s Action Plan for Sustainable Development in Education and Skills aims to incorporate the sustainability agenda right across the education system so that it becomes integral to the way knowledge and skills are developed. As it states: Enabling local communities to improve our quality of life is a responsibility we all share. We need to look at sustainable development as a whole… how we teach and learn about sustainable development and how we generate the skills, knowledge and understanding to allow us to fulfil our duty as global citizens. Although a starting point for discussion with schools, colleges and universities, this Action Plan has a national focus and offers no mechanism for delivering its objectives at regional level. An informal group has formed in the North West to consider the issues involved in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) but without a regional remit or resource support, it is difficult for it to integrate the delivery of ESD within the national curriculum. This issue is exacerbated by regional structures, such as Environmental Education Networks, struggling to exist, and some folding, due to lack of support and efforts having being transferred to establish new networks, such as Local Strategic Partnerships. Outside the national education structure, the Department for International Development is funding the delivery of a North West strategy and implementation plan to support the Global Dimension in Schools initiative. The strategy is based on the premise that young people are entitled to an education that prepares them for life in today’s globalised society. ‘A global dimension in formal sector education (5 – 18) aims to increase young people’s understanding of their mutual dependence, development issues and the need for international development, so that they can understand the key global considerations that will shape their lives. This aim is to be achieved through introducing young people to knowledge, skills and values related to the eight key concepts identified in ‘Developing a Global Dimension in the Schools Curriculum’. These are citizenship, conflict resolution, diversity, human rights and responsibilities, interdependence, social justice, sustainable development, values and perceptions. These concepts should be explored from all levels, from the personal and local, through to the international and global.’
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Learning must also be directed at those outside the formal education process – from policy makers and business people to consumers and employees. To be effective and efficient both future employers and employees will require a far greater understanding of sustainable development and the implications of continuing our current development patterns. This work, which will be delivered through Business Skills Northwest, is critical. We are not starting from a blank sheet of paper as there are many examples of good practice, both regionally and beyond, that can be used to raise people’s sights to the possibilities of delivering creative and innovative solutions to the problems of our unsustainable society. We need to change public perception on a wide range of issues such as waste and local environmental quality and raise the sustainable challenges of dealing with issues such as energy production. A communications strategy will be developed that focuses on putting across the right messages to the right people at the right time, using the right language to sell key messages. This will involve a range of engagement methods designed to fit within different policy development timescales. Activity
Lead agency
Timescale
Develop the Regional Group for Education for Sustainable Development Deliver the North West Strategy for a Global Dimension in Education through the agreed Implementation Plan Raise awareness of sustainable development issues and solutions with Sector Skills and Productivity group Develop a communications strategy to assist the integrated delivery of engagement seminars and workshops to key regional audiences Deliver the RENEW programme for promoting regeneration excellence Deliver the ‘training the trainer’ element of Planit-nw
AMB
2005
NW Global Education Network Business Skills Northwest
Annual targets running until 2007
AMB
Spring 2005
RENEW / NWDA
June 2005 – 2008
NWRA/NWDA and partners
Autumn 2005
Dec 2005
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Section 3 – Monitoring and Reporting The overwhelming message we have received from participants in our review of AfS is that action to investigate and address the interaction between individual priorities and objectives is essential for regional sustainability. With this in mind, we intend to produce a commentary on where conflicts exist and whether, as a whole, the region is becoming more sustainable. Unfortunately the results of our move towards sustainability cannot be assessed using individual indicators, but requires a more subtle form of measurement. Clearly, in order to comment effectively on sustainability we will need to determine and accept a new approach to monitoring and reporting. Performance management of regional cross-cutting strategies is currently both complex and unsatisfactory as for many there are not yet well defined administrative instruments. Contributions from each sector have to be secured by engagement and persuasion. Most regional sectors are still primarily bounded by systems of vertical accountability to their sponsoring Whitehall department. Cross cutting policy and strategy managers at the regional level are therefore having to invest much of the resource and time available for the policy process in getting multi-sectoral sign-up in the absence of systems fit for purpose. Where established monitoring and reporting systems on issues relating to the different priorities are already in place, AfS will not duplicate them. Its role will instead be to interpret the extent to which individual actions, policies and programmes make a genuine contribution to the sustainability of the region. AfS will use the established Regional Indicators Group to build on work already undertaken through Vital Signs (2003) to establish a core set of regional indicators – some of which are suggested in this document – taking into account potential links and opportunities for synergy. Research undertaken for Footprint North West (2004) will help us to establish a more joined-up approach to sustainability monitoring. Taking all of the above into account, a framework for monitoring this programme will be in place by spring 2005 that is likely to comprise: • A set of indicators for measuring progress on the ten AfS priorities • A set of indictors to measure progress on the two cross-cutting objectives of Mainstreaming Sustainability and Education for Sustainable Development • A “sustainability commentary” on activity in the region. A full report on our progress towards a more sustainable North West will be produced in 2007 to coincide with the publication of the third AfS delivery programme. In the meantime, the AfS website, www.actionforsustainability.org.uk will produce regular progress updates; offer advice on other relevant information sources; and report on regional objectives and strategies as details become available.
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Section 4 – Regional Priorities AfS will work within these 10 Regional Priorities to influence the delivery of Regional Strategies to lead to sustainable solutions. Whilst each of these Regional Priorities is of equal importance, they are all at different stages of development. Some have distinct delivery vehicles and monitoring regimes, such as Biodiversity and Landscape, whilst others, such as Cultural Distinctiveness, are still considering their sustainability implications and the indicators that will need to be constructed. This section provides guidance on each priority, describes the regional activity that can contribute to its delivery and opens up the wider debate on sustainable development by presenting some challenges.
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Sustainable Transport and Access Priority Sustainable transport and access, reducing the need to travel and allowing access for all to places, goods and services. Regional Significance In today’s global society, it is unreasonable to expect to constrain people’s freedom to travel and good transport links are essential for the efficient functioning of the regional economy. However, feedback from AfS leaves us in no doubt that the need to reduce the need to travel, improve the choice of sustainable transport methods available and encourage their wider use is a particularly crucial priority for the Region. As a general rule, the majority of journeys are not made for the sake of travel itself, but because people wish to reach a facility or location. This reflects transport as a ‘derived’ demand arising from other activities rather than a demand in its own right. So in addressing this priority it is important to distinguish between the different motives of travel and access. The mode of travel is also critical as the NW has the second largest number of licensed cars of any UK region with over 2.8 million and a disproportionately high road casualty rate. Regional disparities also exist within both urban and rural parts of the Region regarding sustainable transport modes and access to facilities. Air traffic in the region is growing at the unprecedented rate of 5 – 6% per year, with it doubling in rate over 10 – 15 years at Manchester Airport. Growth at this scale will threaten the Government’s target to cut carbon dioxide emissions to address climate change. The Challenge The challenge for the region in delivering this priority is to develop mutually supportive and reinforcing sustainable solutions to achieve our vision for 2020.
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Current Regional Response The following objectives from existing regional strategies will contribute to the delivery of this priority:
Mitigate and adapt to climate change
Secure economic inclusion
Economy in the use of land and buildings
Develop strategic transport infrastructure
Improve sustainable transport modes
Urban renaissance
Improve health and health inequalities
Achieve cleaner air for everyone
Rural renaissance
Reduce crime and the fear of crime
Improve business competitiveness
Examples of Regional Activity include:
Promotion of local foods for local markets Improving freight logistics and promote freight movement by methods other than road Ensuring that the developing Regional Biodiversity Strategy considers all implications of access to greenspace Developing Green Travel Plans for business parks Promoting the health benefits of cycling and walking Providing more home zones, greenways and quiet lanes.
Promoting the use of broadband across the Region with “Project Access” Promoting sustainable transport through the ongoing review of national policy objectives Identify regional priorities for transport investment
Lead
Strategies
GONW/NWDA NWRA
SFFS RTS
NWBF
RBS
ENWORKS Walking Way to Health Local Authorities/ Countryside Agency NW Node/NWDA
RES IfH Plan
NWRA / GONW
RTS
NWRA / NWDA
RTS
Local Transport Plans/ Rural Proofing RES
Is this Sustainable ?
Vital Signs The most relevant Vital Signs for this priority are: • Trunk road congestion (seconds lost per vehicle kilometre) • Non car trips as % of total trips • Air quality – days on which air quality is poor
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Meeting the Challenge In order to meet the regional challenge we need to work together with specialists from the field of Sustainable Transport and Access to develop a monitoring framework that reflects the crunch issues of this priority. A number of indicators can provide a focus for our actions to move towards greater sustainability: • • • •
Road casualty rate Changes in volume of air travel Proximity of dwellings to public transport Food miles
Crunch issues that will need to be addressed include:
Road traffic accidents
Increase in road traffic / congestion
Relative cheap cost of motoring
Sustainable Transport and Access
Provision of effective and integrated public transport
Increase in air traffic
Closure of local amenities
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The Wider Context Truly sustainable communities require the integration of land use planning with transport planning in order to minimise people’s need for movement through access to local goods and services. Reducing the need to travel could contribute to a reduction in traffic growth, congestion and the need for major road building. This needs to be accompanied by providing improved accessibility on foot, bike and public transport. The use of ICT should be expanded to reduce the need to travel for work and leisure and supported by alternative measures such as video conferencing, teleworking, green travel plans and car sharing. There are still large areas of the region that do not have access to Broadband and further work is being undertaken by the NWDA and NW Node to roll out Broadband infrastructure and connectivity to hard to reach areas. EU Directive on Strategic Environmental Assessment requires road schemes of regional significance to be assessed at the earliest possible stage and the requirement of a high-quality transport system to support the competitiveness of the region and to facilitate social and recreational needs is enshrined in Regional Planning Guidance, through the Regional Transport Strategy. The application of these policies and processes will be essential in the taking forward of any initiatives associated with ‘The Northern Way’, a programme promoted by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister as part of its Sustainable Communities Plan. By encouraging the use of locally produced goods, foods and services, we can significantly reduce the need to travel whilst supporting the local economy and encouraging rural and urban renaissance. However, all of these fairly local and basic requirements concerning access to goods and services ignore the increasing influence of leisure travel and, particularly air travel. It will therefore be important to ensure issues relating to regional airport development are assessed for their wider impact across the priorities. This priority is supported by national policy,
“
The ability to travel offers all of us very real benefits and extending mobility is important in building an inclusive society. The transport system helps to underpin the international competitiveness of the economy. But mobility comes at a cost, whether financial, social or environmental. We need to ensure that we can benefit from mobility and access while minimising the impact on other people and the environment now and in the future
”
DfT (2004) The Future of Transport – Executive Summary
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Sustainable Production and Consumption Priority Sustainable production and consumption, ensuring that energy and resources are used both efficiently and effectively by all. Regional Significance The preliminary Ecological Footprint for the region shows that to be selfsufficient we need a land area the size of Germany. Demand side management that focuses on improving resource efficiency would help to address our wasteful approach to the world’s resources. The more efficient use of resources is not only socially and environmentally beneficial but also helps business performance. North West businesses should be encouraged to take advantage of the advice and support available on environmental issues that can improve productivity and deliver an increased competitive edge. The North West has a range of major initiatives providing resource efficiency advice to businesses. ENWORKS provides support for SMEs and training for staff, particularly focusing on managers. Responsibility North West is establishing a regional Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) index that allows businesses to track, compare and improve their sustainability performance. Sustainable procurement processes are being established within local authorities, Universities, and colleges. Waste continues to be a major issue for the North West as our landfill capacity rapidly declines and, whilst our recycling rates are increasing, we still have the third lowest rate for England. Substantial capacity and a significant number of new waste management facilities for municipal waste will be required to meet future demand. In starting to address these issues regional strategies are being developed for sustainable energy production and waste management. £46m of waste minimisation funding, from Defra, has been secured, along with a £70m PFI waste management contract to Lancashire authorities. The Challenge The challenge for the region in delivering this priority is to develop mutually supportive and reinforcing sustainable solutions to achieve our vision for 2020.
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Current Regional Response The following objectives from existing regional strategies will contribute to the delivery of this priority:
Sustainable transport
Manage waste
Exploit growth potential of business sectors
Education for sustainable development
Improve inland and coastal waters
Manage energy resources
Active management of mineral resources
Develop knowledge base
Improve business productivity
Examples of Regional Activity include:
Developing the Regional Waste Strategy Developing and implementing a sustainable procurement policy for AMB members Business support programmes for SMEs on improving resource efficiency Delivering the national initiative on Resource Efficiency Providing a Regional Manufacturing Advisory Service Developing a Regional Centre for Remanufacturing Excellence Delivering the pilot Consumption Production Programme
Lead
Strategies
NWRA AMB
RWS AfS
ENWORKS
RES
Envirowise NWDA NWDA
RES RES
Lancashire West Partnership
Is this Sustainable ?
Vital Signs The most relevant Vital Signs for this priority are: • GVA per capita • % good / fairly good biological and chemical water quality • Commercial and industrial waste arising • GVA per hour worked • Household waste arising per capita and % recycled • Proportion of new development on previously developed land
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Meeting the Challenge In order to meet the regional challenge we need to work together with specialists from the field of Sustainable Production and Consumption to develop a monitoring framework that reflects the crunch issues of this priority. Political, economic and planning frameworks must be used effectively to bring about change, and this will involve a strong partnership approach. Despite the need for improved awareness of sustainability issues there is little or no public demand for training in this field, which makes it difficult to secure funding for suitable programmes in a largely demand-led training market. However the collective demands of society and the development of stronger links between AfS and lifelong learning and Business Skills Northwest will help us to ensure progress. Crunch issues that will need to be addressed include:
Increasingly resource intensive lifestyles
Demand for non-seasonal/ exotic foods
Environmental limits
Sustainable Production and Consumption
Perceived value and cost of waste
Lack of demand for awareness training
Lack of investment in technological innovation
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The Wider Context If everyone on the planet were to consume natural resources and pollute the environment as we currently do in the UK, we would need three planets to support us
“
”
The Living Planet Report, 2002
Although the Living Planet also points out the impossibility of any individual intervention reducing our consumption to less than two planets worth of resources, it is clear that a major change in public attitude is required. Essentially, we must find a way of producing, managing and consuming goods and services that take a lesser toll on the earth’s limited resources. Enabling people to understand and develop the skills needed to make more sustainable choices will contribute to the creation of an economy that uses all resources in a more sustainable manner. Decisions made within the North West impact on worldwide economies, environments and societies as well as the region itself. Commercial procurement decisions should take account of the way products are produced, consumed and disposed of, to create a demand and reward producers that use fewer resources. Supply chain management supports this process and provides a role for larger companies to act as champions in promoting sustainable procurement with sub contractors and smaller suppliers. It is important that markets for recyclable materials are identified that will expand business opportunities for transforming waste into new products. The development of an integrated delivering plan will require good baseline research particularly concerning the technological and transportation implications. European legislation is driving the change in the way water resources are managed. The EU Water Framework Directive is an integrated and co-ordinated approach to water management based on the concept of river basin planning. It aims to protect and enhance aquatic ecosystems; promote sustainable consumption; reduce pollution and contribute to mitigating the effects of floods and droughts. The Ribble and West Lancashire area is the pilot site in the UK, testing current European guidance on public participation, and will contribute to the region’s future River Basin District Management Plan.
P24
Social Equity Priority Social equity that respects, welcomes and celebrates diversity and allows all communities and generations a representative voice. Regional Significance The North West Equality and Diversity Leadership Group (NWEDLG), led by the NWRA, is currently preparing the first North West Equality and Diversity Strategy for 2005-8, the first of its kind in the region and a strategic response to regional thinking on equality issues that will make recommendations for future policy and practice. The document will set high level targets and establish a delivery plan to influence mainstream strategic planning, activities and the allocation of resources in the North West. The NWEDLG has identified the following issues to be included within the strategy: • Gender • Race & Ethnicity • Disability • Sexual Orientation & Transgender • Age Diversity; including younger and older people • Religion & Belief Cross-cutting themes will be health and income inequalities and the wider issues of social inclusion. The Challenge The challenge for the region in delivering this priority is to develop mutually supportive and reinforcing sustainable solutions to achieve our vision for 2020.
P25
Current Regional Response The following objectives from existing regional strategies will contribute to the delivery of this priority:
Improve health
Improve education
Economic inclusion
Enhance accessibility of the landscape
Cleaner air for everyone
Sustainable transport
Access to housing
Develop a healthy labour market
Deliver urban renaissance
Reduce crime and fear of crime
Deliver rural renaissance
Economy in the use of land and buildings
Examples of Regional Activity include: Lead Develop and implement the regional Equality and Diversity Strategy Embed sustainable development principles into the regional Scrutiny and Accountability process to assess the impacts of policies on the individual Encourage Corporate Social Responsibility through all levels of business and governance Research study on regional activity concerning local and fair trade Promote the need for affordable housing within the Regional Housing Strategy Adopt sustainable development principles in the delivery of Housing Market Renewal Research into how the region can capitalise on the skills of asylum seekers and refugees based in the NW
Strategies
NW Equality Equality and and Diversity Diversity Strategy Leadership Group NWRA Regional Review
SNW AMB
Responsibility North West AfS
GONW
RHS
GONW/NWRA
Housing Market Renewal
NWDA
Is this Sustainable ?
Vital Signs The most relevant Vital Signs for this priority are: • Working age employment rate • Affordability of housing • Average wages • Properties in low demand • % of households below 50% of average income
P26
Meeting the Challenge In order to meet the regional challenge we need to work together with specialists from the field of Social Equity to develop a monitoring framework that reflects the crunch issues of this priority. The Regional Equality and Diversity Strategy (REDS) aims to embed Equality and Diversity objectives within mainstream activity, using targets that help to define the review process and link with the AfS monitoring framework. The use of the Integrated Assessment Toolkit and Planit-nw will help to ensure its objectives become part of the policy-making process. The North West could benefit from a rejuvenation of its commitment to social inclusion as part of the development of REDS. Meanwhile, concordat partners with an interest in equality, social inclusion, regeneration and community cohesion could assist in the development of additional strategies to ensure joined-up work on the social equity agenda. Crunch issues that will need to be addressed include:
Wage disparities
Discrimination
Poverty trap
Social Equity
Lack of affordable housing
Exposure to environmental risk
Global impacts of regional activity
P27
The Wider Context No matter what you call it, equality & diversity, social equity or social inclusion – ensuring that strategy and policy meet the needs of all the diverse communities in the North West is not a new issue, nor a minority concern. It is in everybody’s interests to make sure we are all fully able to participate in the future of the North West. In addition to being essential to the wellbeing of individuals and communities, it is vital for the economic, social and environmental health of the region. Research has shown that utilising the skills of a diverse region enables better economic performance and social cohesion. Business benefits from utilising the varied skills of a diverse workforce, the region benefits from the full capacity of citizens able to engage in economic activity, and individuals’ quality of life increases, as they are able to live free from discrimination and fear. There is much work still to be done to realise our vision of a North West with a dynamic economy and a vibrant culture in which every individual and community is able to participate fully and which reflects the diversity of our region. Some communities experience economic, environmental and social disadvantage and discrimination still exists in terms of access to education and training, health, appropriate housing and employment opportunities. Black and minority ethnic groups, for example, tend to live in the poorest areas, are less likely to have access to appropriate healthcare and other essential services and are more likely to be the victims of crime. Inequity is not just an urban problem; the region also contains some of the most deprived rural wards in England. Policy makers need to take into account the various needs of the diverse communities in the region and be aware of the differing impact of their policies.
P28
Biodiversity and Landscape Priority Biodiversity and landscapes that are valued in themselves and for their contribution to the region’s economy and quality of life. Regional Significance From coastal plains to sweeping moorlands; remote rural areas to major conurbations, the North West’s varied and distinctive landscapes provide a wealth of natural habitats support a diverse range of plant and animal life. This diversity reflects the health of habitats and landscapes and contributes not only to the character of our region but also to its economy and quality of life. Whilst many areas of natural beauty and conservation value are recognised by national and international designations, other areas that are not designated can be just as important to the people who live, work and visit there. In 2002, about 100,000 hectares of the region’s Sites of Special Scientific Interest resource considered to be in a favourable condition but around 119 hectares of SSSI have been partly destroyed since 1997. The North West Biodiversity Forum, Coastal Forum, Historic Environment Forum and Rural Affairs Forum are all actively engaged in initiatives to protect and enhance our natural cultural resources. The NW Biodiversity Forum has undertaken considerable work in developing indicators and targets for progress monitoring purposes. Work will continue with the other regional forums to promote partnership efforts and improve mutual understanding of the issues involved. It is estimated that a high quality environment contributes some £1.05bn to the NW economy through environmentally driven tourism alone. A study of the Economic and Regenerative Value of the Natural Environment (ERVNE) has identified natural environment projects that have the potential to contribute to economic development, regeneration and sustainable development objectives, with a pilot looking at Wetlands currently underway. The Challenge The challenge for the region in delivering this priority is to develop mutually supportive and reinforcing sustainable solutions to achieve our vision for 2020.
P29
Current Regional Response The following objectives from existing regional strategies will contribute to the delivery of this priority:
Biodiversity and landscapes
Region’s image
Improve inland and coastal waters
Cultural and built environment
Increase regional tree cover
Urban renaissance
Improve health and health inequalities
Rural renaissance
Reduce crime and the fear of crime
Endangered species
Mitigate and adapt to climate change
Examples of Regional Activity include:
Develop and implement the NW Biodiversity Strategy Produce guidance to establish coherent and functional ecological frameworks Taking forward recommendations of the ERVNE study through the Natural Economy Steering Group Support the NW Wetlands Network project Support the English Biodiversity Strategy through implementation of Local Biodiversity Action Plans Develop examples of good practice that benefit biodiversity and health Develop creative conservation projects Promote the maintenance, restoration or creation of key landscape features through relevant delivery mechanisms including Environmental Stewardship Investigate how biodiversity and landscape can be integrated at the Joint Character Area level Increasing woodland cover and ensure active and sustainable management
Lead
Strategies
NWRA/NWBF NWRA/NWBF
RBS RSS
English Nature/ NWDA EA/EN/NWDA NWBF/LBAP Co-ordinators English Nature
RES
English Biodiversity Strategy
Landlife Countryside Agency/ Rural Development Service Countryside Agency/ English Nature Forestry Regional Forestry Commission Strategy
Is this Sustainable ?
Vital Signs The most relevant Vital Signs for this priority are: • Wild bird population index • % of land classified as SSSI that is in a maintained / recovering state • % of residents believing NW is a good place to live • % of non-regional businesses viewing NW as a good for running business
P30
Meeting the Challenge In order to meet the regional challenge we are already working together with specialists from the field of Biodiversity and Landscapes to develop a monitoring framework that reflects the crunch issues of this priority. Regional co-ordination is well advanced and a number of indicators are already agreed to assess biodiversity sustainability. The indicators that will provide a focus for action are: Area and condition of SSSIs Enhancement of biodiversity resources Identification of natural greenspace
Population of wild birds Establishment of ecological frameworks Designation and maintenance of Local Wildlife and Geological Sites
Further work is beginning to be developed around indicators to assess the sustainability of landscapes. Crunch issues that will need to be addressed include:
Climate change
Environmental limits
Short term funding
Biodiversity and Landscapes
Habitat fragmentation
Intensive use of land
Nature’s intrinsic value not yet quantified
P31
The Wider Context Strong partnership working is the key to maintaining valuable landscapes and vibrant biodiversity for the benefit of present and for future generations. Many organisations in the North West and beyond with an interest in, and concern for, biodiversity and landscape, are already working together, from the public, private, voluntary and community sectors. The quality and character of our landscapes and habitats depend upon appropriate management of the region’s land and water resources. Some 80% of land is used for farming purposes and, as part of the ongoing debate about the future of our agricultural industry, the promotion of environmentally sustainable agricultural practices is essential both for the sake of the environment and for economic and social benefit. Similar consideration will need to be given to the region’s fishery and forestry industries. Localities form networks for communications, for both people and wildlife, but they are becoming fragmented leading to isolation. Greater protection must be given to the land from the pressures of development and new road building that exacerbate this situation. The establishment of coherent and functional ecological frameworks are needed to help address this issue. This priority is strongly supported by national policy,
“
We have a duty to ensure a diverse and thriving natural environment, for it is essential to the economic, social and spiritual health and well-being of this and future generations
”
DEFRA: Working with the grain of nature: A biodiversity strategy for England, 2002
P32
Active Citizenship Priority Active citizenship that empowers people and enables them to contribute to issues that affect the wider community. Regional Significance The North West’s cultural diversity is one of its great strengths. By developing cohesive, multicultural communities that possess mutual respect and understanding, and act to help themselves and each other we can help to counter the damage done by hate and intolerance in society. A vast range of organisations are active in this field, many under the umbrella of Voluntary Sector North West and Community North West, which provides support, training and opportunities for networking. Delivery at the sharp end is provided by organisations like CVS, British Trust for Conservation Volunteers and Groundwork. Educational initiatives include training on citizenship issues, volunteering work with university students and workplace schemes to encourage the involvement of employees in local issues. Local Strategic Partnerships should also be playing a key role. The Challenge The challenge for the region in delivering this priority is to develop mutually supportive and reinforcing sustainable solutions to achieve our vision for 2020.
P33
Current Regional Response The following objectives from existing regional strategies will contribute to the delivery of this priority:
Lifelong learning
Education for sustainable development
Access to quality housing
Economic inclusion
Reduce crime and the fear of crime
Improve health and reduce health inequalities
Examples of Regional Activity include: Lead Operation Eden – a three year pilot project to engage and empower faith communities in local environmental regeneration projects and resource efficiency initiatives in Merseyside Review the contribution of the VCS to the economy of the region Practical conservation work carried out by volunteers
Strategies
Church of England RES Diocese of Liverpool VSNW BTCV
Is this Sustainable ?
Vital Signs There are currently no Vital Signs relevant for this priority.
P34
Meeting the Challenge In order to meet the regional challenge we need to work together with specialists from the field of Active Citizenship to develop a monitoring framework that reflects the crunch issues of this priority. The current shortage of suitable data makes this one of the most difficult priorities to assess, and there is a need to: • Carry out quantitative research to gain a clear understanding of the levels and types of participation that currently exists • Develop policies that build on the incentives that make people wish to volunteer, such as knowing someone or by direct appeal The need exists to link the activities of civic and government agencies with an interest in peace, social justice, reconciliation and cohesion, the prevention of violence and conflict resolution. The vital role played by the voluntary sector deserves more recognition from the public sector that commissions its services, including fairer payments that are relative to those received by the public sector for similar services. The VCS also needs to be given improved access to decision-making processes; long-term funding and better recognition of the vital role it plays in the region. We need to look beyond traditional structures and engagement methods and develop new, more radical ways of encouraging active participation. Crunch issues that will need to be addressed include:
Building trust between public and community sectors
Implementation of the Aarhus declaration
Short term funding
Active Citizenship
Recognise the economic value of the community sector
National short term vision and commitment
Disregard for local knowledge and networks
P35
The Wider Context Active citizenship – that is, the participation or engagement of people or communities in the policies and decisions that affect their lives – is a vital ingredient of a truly sustainable society. It is also fundamental to government agendas for regeneration, social exclusion and the modernisation of local government. Both individual and group activity is critical to the concept of active citizenship and ranges from low-key efforts like writing to local councillors to more active initiatives such as running after school clubs, or actually becoming a local councillor. High levels of participation are considered to be indicative of a healthy, cohesive community. Effective, influential engagement with civic institutions and democratic processes requires confidence, the rights skills and opportunities and the ability to capitalise on the human, financial and physical assets of the communities involved. Community members need support to realise and release their capacity to engage. However, experience has shown that there are no ‘quick fixes’ for achieving this and that real participation requires substantial effort and support from all organisations involved in trying to achieve more sustainable communities. It is important to understand that participation concerns both individual and group actions. The Voluntary and Community Sector plays a crucial role in harnessing and supporting the drive and vision of active citizens and must, in turn, be supported to continue this role. Many communities are given strength by the vision and drive of one or two key players within the community. These individuals must be given the support they need to develop and build on the skills and resources of their communities, to allow them to release their potential to "help themselves". Significantly, volunteering by all sectors of UK society is valued at £24 billion, equivalent to some 7.9% of GDP.
P36
Lifelong Learning Priority A culture of lifelong learning that allows people to fulfil their duties and potential in a global society by acquiring new skills, knowledge and understanding. Regional Significance Skills levels are not consistent across the region and there is marked under performance at the higher and lower ends of the skills spectrum. If an urgent and radical bid is not made to improve the skills and knowledge in our region, North West residents will find themselves at a serious disadvantage, not only in the jobs market but also in terms of their ability to engage effectively in today’s information-saturated global society. The Government’s recent White Paper on Skills and the business clustering outlined in the Regional Economic Strategy, both emphasise the value of a sector-based approach to Lifelong Learning issues. With this in mind the NWDA, in partnership with other key bodies such as the Learning and Skills Council, has established nineteen Sector and Productivity Alliances to identify and address the key skills/employment issues for each of the region’s key sectors. As organisations like the Sector Skills Councils, and Cluster teams are representation on the Alliances, activities should be considered which would help to raise awareness of sustainability issues among Alliance members. The Challenge The challenge for the region is delivering this priority is to develop mutually supportive and reinforcing sustainable solutions to achieve our vision for 2020.
P37
Current Regional Response The following objectives from existing regional strategies will contribute to the delivery of this priority:
Improve educational achievement training and opportunities
Mainstreaming sustainable development
Education for sustainable development
Develop knowledge base
Develop a healthy labour market
Improve health and health inequalities
Examples of Regional Activity include:
Implementing the Framework for Regional Employment and Skills Action (FRESA) Implementing all of the Action Plans for the FRESA at sub-regional level Securing a more effective and improved integration between business support services in the region and skills development activities Working with the Business Skills Northwest Team to raise awareness of sustainable development Developing a learning example of sustainable development to be fed into the sector based action plan
Lead
Strategies
Business Skills Northwest Business Skills Northwest Business Skills Northwest
RES RES RES
AMB
AfS
AMB
AfS
Is this Sustainable ?
Vital Signs The most relevant Vital Signs for this priority are: • % working age population qualifies to NVQ3+ • % adults with low / very low literacy and numeracy
P38
Meeting the Challenge In order to meet the regional challenge we need to work together with specialists from the field of Lifelong Learning to develop a monitoring framework that reflects the crunch issues of this priority. As the DTI has already identified, the need exists to raise general awareness of sustainable development as a central issue within the Skills Sector. One approach to this would be to carry out a review of major skills projects and initiatives in the region, both existing and planned, and to identify and expedite ways of ensuring that they incorporate sustainability issues. By working directly with the NWDA Skills Team AfS could influence and assist their efforts and to develop and implement the five sub regional Skills / Employment Action Plans. A • • • •
number of indicators can be used to assess sustainability and provide a focus for action: % of adult population in full time education % of adult population undergoing vocational training % of adult returnees to education % of educational training with a sustainable development element
Crunch issues that will need to be addressed include:
Value placed on learning
ESD is not a priority
Retraining of the workforce
Lifelong Learning
Pace and understanding of the global market
Lack of support for SMEs to train workforce
Loss of traditional skills
P39
The Wider Context The face of North West business is changing, and with it the nature of employment and workplace organisation. As traditional industries evolve or die and new sectors arise and flourish, so does the nature of employment and the organisation of the workplace. This is also the case in our global society, where individuals of all ages are required to gain new skills and knowledge if they are to participate successfully by making sense of the bewildering array of information we daily receive. Our region faces a series of challenges to match supply and demand for new skills and learning. Sector specific skill shortages and gaps have been identified and there is widespread concern about literacy, numeracy, employability and ICT skills. There is also a need to focus on individual demand for, and participation in learning; the commitment of employers and trade unions to workforce development; management capabilities and graduate retention rates. Essentially, lifelong learning is about much more than merely equipping oneself for employment and a huge range of learning opportunities exist that can help people to fulfil their individual potential. This priority is strongly supported by national policy:
“
Productivity and social cohesion are key twin challenges facing the UK in ensuring the nation’s economic success in the 21st century. At the heart of both these challenges lies skills – for the competitiveness of our business and the employability of our people Towards a National Skills Agenda
”
P40
Cultural Distinctiveness Priority Cultural distinctiveness, nurturing and celebrating our diversity to create a vibrant and positive image. Regional Significance There can be no doubt as to the unique role that culture plays in enriching the lives of seven million or so inhabitants of the North West, and of the positive contribution it makes to building sustainable communities, to health and to the lifelong learning agenda. The North West is famed for its outstanding cultural achievements with our cities having an international reputation for world class football and innovative popular music. Our region is home to the first industrial city of Manchester together with Liverpool, the European Capital of Culture 2008. We have two World Heritage Sites, Hadrian’s Wall and Liverpool, and a further two sites currently being considered for inscription. Culture provides a major boost to the regional economy – the 12% of gross value added (GVA) it contributes is twice that made by the financial and business services. The Challenge The challenge for the region in delivering this priority is to develop mutually supportive and reinforcing sustainable solutions to achieve our vision for 2020.
P41
Current Regional Response The following objectives form existing regional strategies will contribute to the delivery of this priority:
Enhance local character
Rural renaissance
Growth potential of business sectors
Develop region’s image
Increase the use of locally produced goods, food and services
Urban renaissance
Enhance and manage cultural assets
Improve opportunities for lifelong learning
Improve health and reduce inequalities
Examples of Regional Activity include:
Deliver the Regional Cultural Strategy Action Plans Prepare for Liverpool’s role as European Capital of Culture in 2008 through implementation of Liverpool: the world in one city Achieve the EUROPARC European Charter for Sustainable Tourism for the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Enhance the contribution that the historic environment makes to wider regional objectives Explore implications of climate change to the tourism sector and investigate mechanisms and costs of responding
Lead
Strategies
Cultural Consortium Liverpool City Council
Regional Cultural Strategy
Forest of Bowland AONB North West Making It Count Historic Environment Forum North West Climate Group
Is this Sustainable ?
Vital Signs The most relevant Vital Signs for this priority are: • Net migration rate as % of population • % of population >50 & < 16 years • NW share of UK tourism market • out of season activity as % of total tourism
P42
Meeting the Challenge In order to meet the regional challenge we need to work together with specialists from the field of Cultural Distinctiveness to develop a monitoring framework that reflects the crunch issues of this priority. The concept of sustainable development within this priority is in its relative infancy and the energy and enthusiasm of this sector needs to be actively engaged to define a suite of indicators. Culture Northwest is the catalyst for building and driving the Regional Cultural Strategy, containing five strategic objectives of advocacy, image, cultural economy, social economy and environment. Its Action Plans for 2004 – 06 identifies six priority areas to deliver these objectives: • • • • • •
Establishing the Northwest on the international culture scene Driving health improvement through cultural activity Encouraging and enhancing partnerships in our sub regions Building citizenship through culture Maximising cultural contributions to life long learning Using cultural gems to increase awareness of regional distinctiveness
Crunch issues that will need to be addressed include:
Urban/Rural divide
Value of the contribution of different cultures
Not seen as a strategic contribution
Cultural Distinctiveness
Lack of synergy with sustainable development
Lack of regional identity
The traditional image of the NW
P43
The Wider Context The region’s diversity is one of its great strengths, along with our ability to engage new ideas and approaches that add to our already rich culture. The strong identification that North West people feel with their region provides an excellent base for engagement with and capitalisation on our distinctive culture.
“
We know that culture is a critical factor in the regeneration of this region and that, together, our developments in Sport, Tourism, Creative Industries, The Arts, Heritage and Libraries drive the context in which enterprise can flourish. Cultural Industries employ 12% of our region’s workforce and contribute over £15 billion to our economy Culture Northwest Action Plan Review 2002 – 03
”
The region’s rich store of built and natural landscapes has helped to create and sustain our cultural distinctiveness. We must enhance and protect our town and cityscapes and the rural areas that are home to more isolated communities, all of which contribute to the ‘sense of place’ that unites us. This can only be achieved through high standards of planning, design, community engagement and protection for unique places.
P44
Climate Change Priority An active approach to reducing our contribution to climate change whilst preparing for potential impacts. Regional Significance Since 1900, UK temperatures have risen by approximately 1 degree Celsius, with most of this rise occurring after 1970. Consideration of likely climate change scenarios suggest that UK temperatures could rise by up to a further 5 degrees Celsius by 2080; and rainfall could decline by up to 50% in the summer and increase by up to 30% in the winter. Climate change will present significant challenges for the North West. There is a range of potential implications both spatially and sectorally for the region including impacts on agriculture, water resources, flooding, biodiversity, health, tourism, manufacturing, retail, the building sector, insurance and finance and the energy sector. One way the region is addressing this issue is through the establishment of the Kyoto Club. Through partnership working with businesses it assists members to mitigate their climate change impacts and aim towards delivering a zero emissions region. The North West has the potential to develop significant levels of energy from renewable sources. This would provide opportunities for innovative new technologies and the development of business to build and operate them commercially. The Challenge The challenge for the region in delivering this priority is to develop mutually supportive and reinforcing sustainable solutions to achieve our vision for 2020.
P45
Current Regional Response The following objectives from existing regional strategies will contribute to the delivery of this priority:
Sustainable energy resources
Manage waste sustainably
Increase tree cover
Deliver urban renaissance
Economy in the use of land and buildings
Develop strategic transport infrastructure
Improve resource efficient housing
Protect and enhance biodiversity
Increase use of local goods and services
Improve sustainable transport modes
Examples of Regional Activity include: Lead Development of the Regional Sustainable Energy Strategy Climate change and the Visitor Economy project REGIS 2 project – an assessment of climate change on hydrology, agriculture, biodiversity and coastal zone Promote business awareness through the Kyoto Club The Greenhouse Gas Regional Inventory project Enhance the delivery of community renewables initiatives through the CLARON project Co-ordinate and deliver cross-sectoral climate change awareness raising campaigns within the region Complete the project ‘Sustainable Energy in the NW: Mapping the way to 2020’ Input North West mitigation / adaptation experiences into the review of the UK Climate Change Programme Implement the business plan and associated projects of the Joule Centre for Energy Research Promote renewable energy Annually report on the Ecological footprint for the region Continue to deliver the Newlands programme
Strategies
NWRA/NWDA RSES North West Climate Group Cranfield University SNW, Project Steering group Tyndall Centre, EA CA, SNW, Project Group North West Climate Group NWRA RSES GONW Joule Centre/ NWDA NWRA/RNW NWRA Forestry Commission
Is this Sustainable ?
Vital Signs There are currently no Vital Signs relevant for this priority.
RSES AfS
P46
Meeting the Challenge In order to meet the regional challenge we need to work together with specialists from the field of Climate Change to develop a monitoring framework that reflects the crunch issues of this priority. A • • • •
number of indicators can be used to access sustainability: Percentage of energy generated from renewable sources Greenhouse gas emissions in the region (CO2, CH4, N20, HFCs, PFCs, SF6) Reduction in the number of properties built in the flood plain Changes in climate sensitive indicator species in the region
Crunch issues that will need to be addressed include:
Public understanding of climate change
Lack of technical agreement on sustainable energy
Long term policy commitment
Climate Change
Inequity in ability to adapt
Globalisation
Perception of urgency
P47
The Wider Context On a global scale, climate change is regarded as the most significant environmental issue for the 21st Century. Indeed, Sir David King, the UK Government’s Chief Scientist, has stated that it poses a bigger threat to global security than international terrorism. Certain effects of climate change will be inevitable. Many involve complex inter-relationships that can make it hard to foresee the exact extent of their impact, and for this reason it is important that future policy frameworks are able to take a flexible approach and to tackle a number of policy objectives in the course of addressing adaptation to climate change. The global response is provided by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and it’s Kyoto Protocol, under which the UK government has agreed to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by 12.5% of its 1990 emission levels, between 2008 and 2012. The Kyoto Protocol has also introduced the target of making a 20% reduction (again relative to 1990 levels) in domestic emissions of carbon dioxide by 2010. The scientific community, however, recognises the necessity for a 60% cut in greenhouse gas emissions to limit the extent of climate change. In response, the government has signalled an intention to move towards this target by 2050. A series of initiatives are underway to mitigate climate change, based on the development of low or zero carbon energy sources and measures to improve energy efficiency. Strategic aims include: • Ensuring that Regional Planning Guidance encompasses targets for renewable energy generation and strategic frameworks for climate change management and sustainable energy • Promoting and encouraging renewable energy schemes • Promoting energy efficiency measures across all sectors of society • Actively engaging all sectors of society in energy demand reduction • Engaging North West businesses in quantifying and reducing their emissions. • Positioning the region as a focus for sustainable energy research and ensuring innovation in the low carbon energy sector is supported.
P48
Healthy Communities Priority Healthy communities where people enjoy life, work and leisure and take care of themselves and others. Regional Significance Average life expectancy for men and women in the region continues to be below that of England and Wales and the North West shares the worst life expectancy of the regions with the North East. Manchester has the lowest male life expectancy at birth of any local authority in England. Standardised Mortality Ratios (a ratio of the actual numbers of deaths in a given area and expected numbers) in the region are significantly above the national average. The region has the highest rates for perinatal mortality and infant mortality of all the English regions. The burden faced by the North West is such that if we fail to meet our targets for reducing inequalities in mortality, the national target will not be met. Inequalities within the region also persist in the level of health enjoyed by those in affluent areas and those in the lowest income areas, typified by urban locations and social housing. During the next decade obesity is set to become one of the greatest threats to public health and single cause of preventable increased admissions to NHS services. The Health Survey for England shows a higher proportion of people in the NW (40%) are overweight than for England as a whole. The Investment for Health Plan for the North West is the regional response to these issues and is a challenge to us all to deliver, for without a healthy and educated workforce the region will not be able to achieve its objectives for economic and social regeneration. The Challenge The challenge for the region in delivering this priority is to develop mutually supportive and reinforcing sustainable solutions to achieve our vision for 2020.
P49
Current Regional Response The following objectives from existing regional strategies will contribute to the delivery of this priority:
Reduce crime and the fear of crime
Improve health and health inequalities
Protect and enhance biodiversity
Improve educational achievement and training
Improve access to resource efficient housing
Secure economic inclusion
Examples of Regional Activity include:
Implementation of the Investment for Health Plan Implementation of the Sustainable Food and Farming Strategy Use innovative approaches to encourage engagement with the sustainable development agenda Work with the Biodiversity sector to ensure that mental and physical health advantages are fully developed within the Regional Biodiversity Strategy Use the Integrated Appraisal Toolkit for significant developments e.g. the Regional Housing Strategy and major NHS capital developments to ensure they are sustainable Skills for Health Project
Lead
Strategies
Public Health Team GONW/NWDA
IfH Plan SFFS
Health Development Agency/AMB NWBF
AMB
NWDA
Is this Sustainable ?
Vital Signs The most relevant Vital Signs for this priority are: • Life expectancy • Cigarette smoking prevalence • Crime rate per 100k population • Feelings of insecurity
Regional Biodiversity Strategy AfS
P50
Meeting the Challenge In order to meet the regional challenge we need to work together with specialists from the field of Healthy Communities to develop a monitoring framework that reflects the crunch issues of this priority. There is a pressing need to integrate work on economic, environmental and social issues as a means of tackling health inequalities as well as promoting sustainable development. An increasing amount of work has been focused on environmental justice â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the bid to ensure that everyone in society has equal protection from health and environmental hazards. This is a challenge that the health and environmental sectors will need to work together to address. Planning for land use and transport development must aim to deliver improved access to health and other essential services and also to access to natural greenspace, local and high quality food, and to appropriate, affordable housing. It is essential that regeneration efforts are linked to local communities and early impact assessments of regeneration plans can contribute greatly to enhancing the delivery of the health agenda in a joined-up way. Crunch issues that will need to be addressed include:
Inconsistant messages on food policy
Access to quality greenspace
Social isolation
Healthy Communities
Local environmental quality
Valuing a healthy workforce
Fear of crime
P51
The Wider Context Equity is at the heart of the links between sustainable development and health; people living in poor environments are more likely to suffer from health-related problems than those living in better quality environments. Heart disease continues to be the biggest cause of reduced life expectancy for both men and women under 75. Reduced smoking, improved diet, and increased physical activity are essential ingredients to reducing heart disease. The media frequently attack NHS waiting lists but a greater sustainable impact on health can be made by addressing the underlying causes of ill-health such as housing, crime, education, transport, employment and the physical environment. An essential element of work to address the underlying causes is mainstreaming the health agenda throughout investment in housing, urban and rural regeneration, skills and training, transport, and the physical environment. A variety of tools are available including the Integrated Appraisal Toolkit and Health Impact Assessment. Good health is fundamental to peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to enjoy a full life and contribute to the community in which they live; clearly the need to improve health and reduce health inequalities in our region is a matter that concerns and challenges us all.
P52
Enterprise and Innovation Priority Enterprise and Innovation, harnessing the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s educational and scientific resources and the creative and entrepreneurial skills of its people to achieve sustainable solutions. Regional Significance The birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, the North West has an exceptional track record in using innovation to develop new and successful enterprises. Progress towards a post-industrial economy brings with it a new set of challenges. Our aim must be to harness the creative talents of North West people so as to improve prosperity and at the same time enhance the physical and social fabric of the region on which our collective well-being depends. Creative and entrepreneurial skills are also evident in the voluntary and community sector and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO), as demonstrated by their innovative approach to holistic health programmes, social enterprise, and community support amongst others. Whilst all sectors of the economy are required to deliver enterprise and innovation, within the Environmental Technology Sector it is Envirolink North West that is taking the lead role. Established in 2000 as an industry led, not for profit organisation and funded by the NWDA, its role is to take action to increase the levels of innovation and knowledge technology transfer, enhance learning and skills levels and promote the North West technology sectors on a regional, national and international basis. This is underpinned by creating links with academic partners on all aspects. Research is also underway to look at new ways to assess sustainable options using the Natural Capital approach under development by Lancaster University and the University of Bath. The Challenge The challenge for the region in delivering this priority is to develop mutually supportive and reinforcing sustainable solutions to achieve our vision for 2020.
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Current Regional Response The following objectives from existing regional strategies will contribute to the delivery of this priority:
Mainstreaming sustainable development
Education for sustainable development
Develop the region’s knowledge base
Manage waste sustainably
Develop and market the region’s image
Improve competitiveness and productivity
Improve educational achievement and employability
Exploit growth potential of sectors
Restore and protect land and soil
Examples of Regional Activity include: Lead Promote knowledge transfer to accelerate business exploitation of science and new and existing technologies Work with Regional Business Advisors to develop a comprehensive approach to deliver sustainable development solutions to SMEs Co-ordinate the delivery of skills and training through the Environmental Technology & Services and Energy and Utilities Sector Skills and Productivity Alliances (SSPA) Develop innovative solutions for assessing sustainable development using the Natural Capital approach Raise awareness of the scale and impact of legislation to be introduced over the next five years Establish a Waste Technologies Research facility to develop new solutions and innovations Identify opportunities for the public sector to use more sustainable procurement to drive innovation Provide an innovation-focussed environmental industry perspective for decision makers Develop and promote world-class technologies through Demonstrator Projects and case studies, increasing competitiveness of businesses at home and abroad
Strategies
NW Environmental Alliance Small Business Service ETS SSPA
NWRA
AfS
EA / Envirolink Envirolink
RES
Envirolink AMB AMB
RES AfS AfS
Envirolink
RES
Is this Sustainable ?
Vital Signs The most relevant Vital Signs for this priority are: • Business survival rates (36+ months) • R & D spend a % of GVA • % Innovation Active companies
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Meeting the Challenge In order to meet the regional challenge we need to work together with specialists from the field of Enterprise and Innovation to develop a monitoring framework that reflects the crunch issues of this priority. Legislation to limit landfill capacity, coupled with the region’s reluctance to recycle, points to the need for a major change in public attitude to waste disposal. The development of a North West Waste Technology Centre should enable us to overtake other European regions in terms of exploiting recycling technologies by: • Developing new markets for recycled materials • Provide new business opportunities for companied with the technologies to convert waste streams into products • Improve the viability of businesses producing waste • Improve the environment by reducing the need for landfill sites and incinerators Crunch issues that will need to be addressed include:
Lack of R&D investment
Pace and understanding of the global market
Lack of driver to innovate
Enterprise and Innovation
Resistance to change
Private sector risk
ESD is not a priority
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The Wider Context Considerable academic and government research has confirmed that a key factor in the economies of successful regions is the presence of thriving clusters of businesses with networks to support them. The development of some business sectors can have a positive environmental impact on the region. Other sectors must work towards sustainable development to reduce their environmental impact. Environmental legislation is a major driver for the adoption of environmental best practice and there is a need for the region to pre-empt forthcoming regulation and gear up to meet these new challenges that are stimulating the regional, national and international markets for environmental technologies and services. Global markets for environmental goods and services are estimated to grow to £500 billion by 2010 – larger than the global market for chemicals and aerospace.
“
Green technologies are on the verge of becoming one of the next waves in the knowledge economy revolution. I want Britain to be a leading player in this coming Green Industrial Revolution
”
Tony Blair
New developments in environmental technologies and services (ETS) have the capacity to: • Restore the environmental damage that detracts from the region’s image, is detrimental to inward investment and affects the quality of North West life • Assist the major industrial sectors to reduce negative environmental impact which in turn allow them to comply with legislation, save money and safeguard jobs • Create new sustainable employment opportunities in one of the fastest growing global markets Envirolink intends to develop a high profile facility for the development and demonstration of clean energy technology and services that will reinforce the status of the North West as a centre for innovation. The Clean Technologies Centre, on a brownfield site, will allow knowledge about the operation, impact and benefit of different forms of clean energy to be communicated in exciting and original ways; help to raise the profile of North West companies and organisations active in the clean technology field; provide facilities to install and operate clean energy production hardware and management systems; and be a focal point for the delivery of various elements of the North West Energy Strategy and Plan.
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Annex 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Glossary AfS AMB AONB BME BTCV CA CSR CVS DEFRA DETR EA ERVNE ETS FRESA GDP GONW Greenhouse gases CO2, CH4 N20 HFCs PFCs SF6 IAT ICT IfH KPG LSC LSP NGO NHS NWBF NWDA NWRA PCT RBS RES REWARD RHS RNW RSES RSS RTS RWS SME SNW SSAP SSSI TAG VSNW VCS
Action for Sustainability Action for Sustainability Management Board Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Black and Minority Ethnic British Trust for Conservation Volunteers Countryside Agency Corporate Social Responsibility Council for Voluntary Services Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs Department of Environment Transport and the Regions (ex) Environment Agency Economic and Regenerative Value of the Natural Environment Environmental Technologies and Services Framework for Regional Employment and Skills Action Gross Domestic Product Government Office for the North West carbon dioxide methane nitrous oxide hydrofluorocarbons perfluorocarbons sulphur hexafluoride Integrated Appraisal Toolkit Information Communications Technology Investment for Health Key Priority Group Learning and Skills Councils Local Strategic Partnerships Non-Governmental Organisation National Health Service North West Biodiversity Forum Northwest Development Agency North West Regional Assembly Primary Care Trusts Regional Biodiversity Strategy Regional Economic Strategy Regional and Welsh Appraisal of Resource Productivity and Development Regional Housing Strategy Renewables North West Regional Sustainable Energy Strategy Regional Spatial Strategy Regional Transport Strategy Regional Waste Strategy Small Medium Sized Enterprises Sustainability North West Sector Skills and Productivity Site of Special Scientific Interest Technical Advisory Group of the AMB Voluntary Sector North West Voluntary and Community Sector
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Annex 2 – Key Regional and Sub-Regional Strategies Strategy
Lead Body and web link
Issue Date
Review Date
NWRA NWDA NWRA NWDA Culture Northwest NWDA NWDA NWDA
2004 2003 2004 2002 2004 2002 2000 2001
NWDA Public Health Group, GONW NWDA MLA North West
2002 2003
March-04
2004
2007
GONW Sport England North West North West Archive Council & MLA North West North West Regional Housing Board NWDA
2001
Regional Action for Sustainability Regional Economic Strategy Regional Spatial Strategy / Regional Transport Strategy Agri-Food Sector: Strategy for the North West The Cultural Strategy Action Plan for England's Northwest 2004-06 England's North West Connected: ICT Strategy England's North West Innovation Strategy England's North West: Regional International Trade Strategy 2001 – 2005 England's North West: Science Strategy Investment for Health: A Plan for North West England Learning and Skills Strategy: The Right Angle on Skills Investing in a Future for all – Museums and Galleries in England’s North West (provisional title) North West England Objective 3 Regional Development Plan North West on the Move: The North West Plan for Sport and Physical Activity 2004 – 2008 North West Regional Archive Strategy 2004 – 2007
North West Regional Housing Strategy
Productivity through Employability englands northwest: The Framework for Regional Employment and Skills Action (FRESA) Regional Sustainable Energy Strategy Regional International Trade Strategy 2001 / 2005 Regional Waste Strategy Rural Renaissance: The Regional Rural Recovery Action Plan Sustainable Food and Farming Strategy Making things better. A new future for manufacturing in England's NW – A Manufacturing Action Plan New Visions for Furness and Cumbria The Strategy for Tourism in England's NW A New Vision for Coastal Resorts The Northwest Regional Freight Strategy Libraries for Life – A Regional strategy for Libraries in the North West North West Museums Hub Business Plan North West England Objective 2 Single Programme Document 2000 – 06 Making It Count: the North West’s Historic Environment English Heritage in the North West 2003 – 5
2006 2004
2004 2004
2007
2003
May-05
2002
NWRA UKTI NWRA NWDA GONW / NWDA NWDA
2004 2001 2004 2002 2003 2002
New Visions Steering Group NWDA NWDA NW Freight Advisory Libraries NW NW Hub GONW English Heritage English Heritage
2001
2004 2004 / 5
2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003 2003
2004 2005
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Annex 2 – Key Regional and Sub-Regional Strategies cont Strategy
Lead Body and web link
Issue Date
GONW Lancashire West Partnership East Lancs Partnership AGMA New East Manchester Ltd Mersey Partnership Lancashire Partnership Cheshire Partnership Cumbria Strategic Partnership
2004 2001
Review Date
Sub-Regional Merseyside Objective 1 Single Programming Document 2000 – 06 Lancashire West Matters East Lancashire's Future – Achieving Our Vision Sharing the Vision – A Strategy for Greater Manchester New East Manchester – A New Town in the City An Action for the City Region 2002-2005 Ambition Lancashire (Community Strategy) Cheshire Community Strategy Cumbria Sub-regional Strategy
2000 2003 2001 2002 2004 2002 2004
2004