114 - Achieving A Better Quality of Life

Achieving
a better
quality
of life
Review of progress towards
sustainable development
Government annual report 2002
Achieving a better quality of life

Review of progress towards
sustainable development
February 2003
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR
Telephone 020 7238 6000
Website: www.defra.gov.uk
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Published by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. Printed in the UK, February 2003 on material
containing 75% post-consumer waste and 25% ECF pulp (cover) and 100% post-consumer waste (text).
Front cover: Satellite image of the UK: NERC Satellite Receiving Station, University of Dundee
CONTENTS
PRIME MINISTERS FOREWORD
SECRETARY OF STATES FOREWORD
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER ONE Strategic Direction
11
Devolved administrations and the English Regions
13
European Union
18
Sustainable Development in Government
20
Environmental Audit Committee
24
Sustainable Development Commission
25
CHAPTER TWO Guiding Principles and Approaches
28
Transparency, information, participation and access to justice
29
Using scientific knowledge
30
The precautionary principle
31
Taking a long term perspective
32
CHAPTER THREE Headline Indicators
35
H1 Economic Output
39
H2 Investment
45
H3 Employment
47
H4 Poverty and social exclusion
50
H5 Education
56
H6 Health
59
H7 Housing
62
H8 Crime
65
H9 Climate change
70
H10 Air quality
75
H11 Road traffic
79
H12 River water quality
83
H13 Wildlife
86
H14 Land use
90
H15 Waste
92
Further work on indicators
96
CHAPTER FOUR International Co-operation and Development
100
Tackling global poverty
101
Promoting a fair and open trade system
102
Financing for Development
102
G8 Summit
103
World Summit on Sustainable Development
103
The First Meeting of Parties to the Aarhus Convention
111
FOREWORD
By the Prime Minister The Rt Hon Tony Blair MP
This Governments goal is a good quality of life for all.This
means we cant just focus on narrow economic factors vitally
important as these are but must also take into account the
social and environmental health of our country. People rightly
want a cleaner, healthier environment, safer streets and good
schools as well as economic growth and low unemployment.
It is only through sustainable development that we can meet
these ambitions.
In a global context, too, sustainable development is crucial. Poverty and environmental
degradation often go hand in hand. At the World Summit on Sustainable Development in
Johannesburg last year, 188 countries met to address these issues.The Summit did not
achieve everything, of course, that people hoped. But nor was it the failure that some
claimed.
The Summit helped highlight how the poorest people on our planet also suffer most from
environmental problems. Over a billion people worldwide, for instance, still have no access
to clean water. And it is the poorest countries that are least well-equipped to deal with
environmental problems such as climate change. At the Summit we also began to put in
place the policies to tackle these problems, both through international efforts and
partnership agreements.
Im proud that the UK has taken a leading role internationally on poverty alleviation, debt
relief, trade reform and on encouraging better long-term environmental policies. I want the
UK to step up its efforts both nationally and with our partners in the coming years.
I am determined, too, that we will do more at home. Here in the UK, people on low incomes
are also more likely to suffer the worst local environmental problems, from traffic fumes and
poor quality housing, to dirty streets and inadequate local amenities. But all of us pay a heavy
price in our overall quality of life.
It was to give fresh momentum to our drive to tackle these problems that we set out in
1999 a wide range of headline indicators to help us measure sustainable development. It was
a bold step, making us the first country in the world to report annually on progress towards
sustainable development in this way.
Achieving a better quality of life Review of progress towards sustainable development
As you will see, many of these indicators show excellent progress, thanks to the efforts of
Government departments, agencies, local authorities, businesses, non-governmental bodies
and communities themselves. And the report challenges the myth that economic
improvements are at the expense of the environment. We have reduced our emissions of
greenhouse gases and improved the quality of our rivers and air, alongside real improvements
in socio-economic indicators such as child poverty and unemployment.
But there can be no room for complacency. We clearly need to address the areas where we
could do better. And this report will help make sure we do.
Only by holding ourselves to account in this way as a government but also as a country will
we continue to achieve, together, the better quality of life we want for ourselves and our children.
TONY BLAIR
FOREWORD
By the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Rt Hon Margaret Beckett MP
Few of you will have failed to notice the importance of 2002 for
sustainable development.
At a time when the fragility of the global community has been at
the forefront of our minds, it is vital that we work together to find
global solutions to global problems.
Sustainable development is the key to delivering such solutions. It
is about ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, now and in
the future. It is about pursuing our goals of economic growth, social progress, environmental
protection, and the prudent use of natural resources together, rather than at anothers
expense.The agreements at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg
last year, and the international meetings which preceded it, set the baseline for a unified global
approach to tackling the very visible problems of global poverty and environmental
degradation.
Achieving sustainable development requires innovation and a mix of policy measures and
individual commitment. Sustainable development should free our thinking and challenge our
actions as one participant in a recent discussion forum on the Governments sustainable
development website put it. It demands action at all levels, from the global agreements made
at the Johannesburg Summit to action at the community level and by individuals.
I am determined to ensure that the Johannesburg Summit marks the beginning of a new
phase of implementation and action.To champion co-operation and co-ordination across
Government to embed the Summit outcomes in our existing approaches to issues as diverse
as renewable energy, waste, biodiversity, fisheries and oceans, trade and market access, and
tackling poverty. I am especially aware that the single most important issue for my
department to follow up after Johannesburg is improved market access and subsidy reform
in the agricultural sector.This will support both our environmental and international
development policies. We are negotiating hard to achieve reforms to the Common
Agricultural Policy that will result in a better deal for our communities, developing countries,
and the environment.
Successful implementation must also be grounded in co-operation between all levels of
society. Over 300 new partnerships were launched at the Summit between governments,
Non-Governmental Organisations and business. Re-iterating that although Governments must
take the lead in setting the framework for sustainable development, they cannot deliver it alone.
Our 1999 Sustainable Development Strategy, a better quality of life, set the framework for
achieving sustainable development in this country.
This annual report, the third since the Strategy, illustrates some of the changes that are
already in train: businesses working in innovative ways to increase their resource productivity;
local authorities working to reduce fuel poverty; communities with renewable energy
partnerships and schools with educational recycling programmes.
The 15 headline indicators of sustainable development also show that progress is clearly
being made across the three pillars of economic, social and environmental indicators.
However there is still a considerable way to go.
Crime and waste are just two of the areas where we will need to redouble our efforts to
ensure that we improve quality of life in the years to come. In the Strategy we made it clear
that action would be taken where a trend in the indicators was unacceptable. We remain
strongly committed to doing this and will continue to develop cross-government policies and
initiatives such as the Street Crime Initiative and others detailed in the report.
Of course, we wont convince anyone unless we act too. We need to work hard to make the
principles and objectives laid out in the Strategy integral to the way that departments work,
to bring the challenges of sustainable development into the very heart of Government. Last
year saw the first Sustainable Development in Government Report and the launch of the
Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate.This showed that we
still have a lot to do, but the Government-wide targets on travel, water usage and the roll-out
of environmental management systems are a strong start, and the requirement for all
Departments to produce Sustainable Development Reports alongside their bids in the 2002
Spending Review was an important step forward.
2002 was an important year for sustainable development. Now we must build on this to
ensure that the same can be said of the years to come.
MARGARET BECKETT
INTRODUCTION
In a better quality of life, the Strategy for sustainable development for the UK (1999), the
Government made a commitment to report annually on progress towards sustainable
development in the UK as a whole.
This report, the third in the series, sets out progress made in 2002. In addition to bringing
together the latest data available up to the end of 2002 on the 15 headline indicators which
comprise the quality of life barometer (Chapter Three) and highlighting the main strategic
developments in 2002 (Chapter One), it also contains a wide range of case-studies
showing some of the cross-cutting action being carried out across the UK to further
sustainable development (Chapter Two/Three).
The report covers developments within the European Union and in the wider international
context, but focuses on progress in the UK within:
central government;
the devolved administrations;
public bodies and local authorities; and
the private sector and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Building on the extensive material on the Governments sustainable development website

www.sustainable-development.gov.uk it features some of the key highlights and
developments of 2002.These include:
the World Summit on Sustainable Development, held in Johannesburg in August and

September;
the International Conference on Financing for Development held in Monterrey in March,

which resulted in the adoption of the Monterrey Consensus asserting the international
communitys resolve to eradicate poverty, achieve sustained economic growth and
promote sustainable development in the context of a fully inclusive and equitable global
economic system;
the first meeting of Parties to the Aarhus Convention in Lucca in October which bought
into force the UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in
Decision Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters, and set out a new work
programme in support of sustainable development and environmental democracy;
a strengthening of the commitment to sustainable development at a Government and

departmental level, with the launch of the Government Framework for Sustainable
Development in July, and the publication of the First Annual Report on Sustainable
Development in Government in November; and
key developments within Government departments, such as the launch of the

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Sustainable Development Strategy,
Foundations for our Future, in June; and the Department for Work and Pensions
Sustainable Development Policy Statement in July.
9
The fifteen headline indicators show progress being made across the three pillars of
sustainable development: economic, social, and environment.The assessments for four of the
indicators have been split into two components to better reflect the trends within them; so
in all there are now nineteen assessments.
In assessing progress since the Strategy the indicators show there are:
ten green lights, indicating significant improvement (significant change in direction of

meeting objective);
five amber lights indicating no significant change;
three red lights, indicating significant decline (significant change in direction away from
meeting objective); and
one assessment for which there are no comparable data.
Although half the assessments are green lights, further progress is still required; these are
simply a reflection of the improvements made since the Strategy.
This report does not provide an update on every issue included in the Strategy; it
concentrates on cross-cutting initiatives which either contribute to or present a challenge to
For further information on sustainable development and any issues discussed in this report
visit www.sustainable-development.gov.uk
10
CHAPTER ONE
Strategic Direction
1.1
To make sustainable development a reality it must be built into policies and decisions at all
levels. We need specific measures to drive change, both at home and abroad.This Chapter
looks at some of the highlights and key developments of sustainable development in a
strategic context in 2002, internationally and in Europe, but particularly in the UK.
What is sustainable development?
Sustainable development is about ensuring a better quality of life for everyone,
now and for generations to come.This requires meeting four key objectives at the
same time in the UK and the world as a whole:
social progress which recognises the needs of everyone;

effective protection of the environment;
prudent use of natural resources; and
maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment.
We need sustainable development because the need to develop is as great as ever, but
future development cannot simply follow the model of the past, where economic
activity tended to mean more pollution and wasteful use of resources.This is true for
the world as a whole, and for every community in this country.
1.2
A decade on from the Rio Earth Summit, the World Summit on Sustainable Development
(WSSD) held in August-September 2002 in Johannesburg marked another important step on
the road towards achieving sustainable development.
1.3
Taken as a whole, the negotiations at Johannesburg were a success. Johannesburg recognised

that progress in the last ten years had been limited. International political momentum has
been reinvigorated recently, with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Doha (November
2001) agreeing an agenda for a development-focused World Trade Round, and agreements at
the Monterrey Conference on Financing for Development (March 2002) to increase the
volume and effectiveness of international aid. But the real successes will be measured by how
these agreements are translated into actions in the months and years to come; and how well
we establish sustainable development and the objectives outlined above as our central
operating principles for policy making.
1.4
WSSD secured commitments across a wide range of issues and sectors.The targets and
work programmes agreed at WSSD are of course aspirational, rather than legally binding.
However they give a strong global mandate for action in these areas.The targets set
standards against which to measure progress, and they make it easier to be held to account
by other stakeholders. Whether the targets are reached and the work programmes achieve
their goals depends on the resources human and financial devoted to them by all
governments and international bodies.
1.5
The UK has taken concrete steps to honour the pledge at Monterrey to increase official
development assistance (ODA) following the 2002 Spending Review in July, the UKs ODA
budget will increase by 1.5 billion to reach nearly 4.6 billion by 2005-06. In the same way,
11
the United Kingdom should also pioneer implementation of the World Summit outcomes.
We are aiming for a rapid and effective implementation of what was agreed at the Summit,
with the public sector taking an active lead in producing concrete results.The partnerships
formed before the Summit, and arising from it, remain a key focus. We will continue the
momentum to drive these forward, but also use this opportunity to secure a step-change in
the delivery of our domestic policies.These commitments will impact across Government,
with a range of departments taking the lead on specific commitments.
12
1.6
Rather than establishing a separate process for following up WSSD, the Government intends
to mainstream follow-up actions into departments work, building on existing processes.The
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is working with other UK
Government departments on their plans to translate WSSD commitments into their delivery
plans for Service Delivery Agreements (SDAs).The Government will also take WSSD
outcomes into account in the forthcoming review of a better quality of life, the Strategy for
sustainable development for the UK. Government departments will also look for additional
opportunities to develop joint targets and delivery plans where responsibilities fall to more
than one department, for example, on corporate social responsibility, sustainable production
and consumption, and the Doha Development Agenda. Indeed on this latter point a joint
target has already been agreed between the Department of Trade and Industry, the
Department for International Development and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
1.7
Internationally the UK will continue to work to improve the effectiveness of the international
development effort so that poverty is reduced and the Millennium Development Goals are
achieved.The agreements reached at WSSD particularly on access to sanitation and the
importance of energy services provide important additions to the existing international
consensus. We will continue to support the integration of environmental sustainability into
the Poverty Reduction Strategies of developing countries. We will also continue to support
the United Nations and other institutions in the integration of sustainable development in
their operations and policies, focusing on implementation rather than further negotiation.
1.8
But as well as working with developing countries to encourage all development to be

sustainable development, we must also address our own policies.
1.9
The G8 and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will be
useful fora for taking forward specific issues these will be elaborated with partners over the
coming year. Within the European Union (EU) we will continue to push for policy coherence
and a focus on practical implementation of WSSD outcomes in the 2003 review of the EUs
Sustainable Development Strategy. We need to reform trade-distorting and environmentallydamaging subsidies so that developing countries can compete in world markets, particularly in
agriculture, fisheries and energy.
1.10
In the UK, the most important domestic commitment we made at WSSD was to shoulder
our responsibility, as an industrialised country, to work towards sustainable patterns of
production and consumption meeting our economic, social and environmental objectives
through more efficient use of resources and decoupling economic growth from environmental
degradation.This is a potentially massive agenda, so a key challenge will be establishing a clear
and practical vision for taking it forward. Over the next few months Defra will be working
with others to develop a strategy for sustainable consumption and production, incorporating
resource productivity, which will set out what the Government is already doing and identify
what more needs to be done. As this will form part of our follow up to WSSD, it will also
take account of the work being pursued with our partners in the EU and by other
international bodies.
Strategic Direction
1.11
We also have key commitments to reach targets to increase renewable energy use and to
significantly reduce the rate of loss of biodiversity. Outside of WSSD commitments, we also
need to take action on climate change.
Devolved administrations and the English Regions

1.12
Bringing government closer to the people through devolution is itself a policy for sustainable
development: the idea of thinking globally, acting locally has long been associated with
sustainable development.The devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland have the opportunity to deliver sustainable development which reflects their
institutions, their landscape, their culture and way of life.
1.13
Each English Region has developed a sustainable development framework, through partnerships
of key stakeholders including Government Offices and Regional Development Agencies, and
they now face similar challenges and opportunities to the devolved administrations.
Sustainable development in Scotland

1.14
The Scottish Executive is committed to sustainable development it has been a central

element of their Programmes for Government and its key role was reaffirmed in the Scottish
Parliament on 9 January 2002.
1.15
The Executives commitment to sustainable development is driven forward by the Cabinet

Sub-Committee on Sustainable Scotland (CSCSS), which is chaired by the First Minister, Jack
McConnell. As well as drawing together key Ministers with responsibility for the environment,
transport, planning, housing and finance the Sub-Committee has three external members
Kevin Dunion, Friends of the Earth Scotland; Mark Hope, Shell Expro; and Jan Bebbington,
Aberdeen University.The remit of CSCSS is to identify priorities for action on sustainable
development in Scotland, co-ordinate implementation action, support Cabinet colleagues in
embedding sustainable development in their policies and programmes and to report progress
to the Cabinet at regular intervals. Details of CSCSS are published on the Sustainable
Scotland website: www.sustainable.scotland.gov.uk
1.16
Much of the Executives work in 2002 has been in delivering the four point action plan for
sustainable development in Scotland announced in October 2001.That action plan included:
1.17
developing a clear statement of what sustainable development means for the Scottish
Executive and how it will work towards greater sustainability;
developing ways to measure progress towards sustainable development;
setting up a Sustainable Development Forum to build broad partnerships to work

towards a sustainable Scotland; and
appointing a third external member to CSCSS.
The First Minister made his first major speech on sustainable development at the ERM
Scotland Environment Forum in February 2002. He emphasised how important it is for
everyone to take responsibility for the environment, that caring about environmental issues
can no longer be seen as a luxury, and his own determination that government should lead
by example. One of the means through which this may be realised, he said, was through the
Spending Review (see below). Other early actions set out by Mr McConnell included those
13
on setting higher targets for recycling and renewable energy. He also said that businesses
needed to be encouraged to become good neighbours.The speech challenged the assertion
that there need be a conflict between economic progress and environmental protection. He
also highlighted the importance of balancing these considerations with social justice and
introduced his commitment to environmental justice that Scotlands poorest and least
powerful communities should not also be those that suffer the most from the worst
environmental conditions.
Meeting the Needs

1.18
In April 2002, the Executive published Meeting the Needs Priorities, Actions and Targets for
Sustainable Development in Scotland, which set out their vision for sustainable development in
Scotland. It identified resource use, energy and travel as the main priority areas for action on
sustainable development, and policy-makers across the Executive are being encouraged to
take these priority areas into account when policy decisions are made. Meeting the Needs
also sets out a range of actions being taken to address these priority areas, as well as listing a
set of indicators and targets to help monitor progress.The indicators were chosen with a
view to comparability with the UK headline indicators set out in this report.
Spending Review
1.19
Sustainable development, along with the Executives five priorities for action health,
education, crime, transport and jobs and closing the opportunity gap were fixed as the
priorities for the Spending Review. Departments were tasked to produce draft aims,
objectives and targets for their portfolios, along with a detailed assessment of what the
spending in their area would achieve. As part of this, they were required to demonstrate how
they had taken account of these priorities. In September 2002, the Executive set out spending
proposals in Building a Better Scotland, including a number of major commitments to
sustainable development in Scotland. Further details of the work of each department to
promote sustainable development were published in November in Building a Sustainable
Scotland. For further information visit www.sustainable.scotland.gov.uk

1.20
The First Minister was part of the UK delegation to the World Summit on Sustainable
Development in Johannesburg. Apart from attending the Summit he met leaders of the South
African government and his intensive programme concentrated on poverty alleviation,
education, environmental justice and the role of industry. He was accompanied by a civic
delegation, drawn from local government, environmental and social justice NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs) and business.The Executive will publish a report of the
civic delegation which will set out their views on the implications of Johannesburg for their
sectors.The Scottish Executive is now considering how best it can not only follow up on the
commitments made at Johannesburg but also how the work of the Summit can be used as
an impetus to the progress of sustainable development in Scotland.
Sustainable development in Northern Ireland

1.21
14
During the past year the Department of the Environment, which has lead responsibility for
sustainable development in Northern Ireland, has been working closely with NGOs, local
government and community sectors to develop proposals for how sustainable development
should be approached.
Strategic Direction
1.22
As part of that work, Sustainable Northern Ireland Programme, a local independent NGO,
has been working with communities and with local government to develop appropriate
responses to the sustainable development challenge.That has included work on community
visioning, community indicators, local action planning, local economy projects and community
waste minimisation projects.This work has been linked to local government through
sustainability indicator projects, corporate strategy development, sustainable development
strategy development and environmental management systems.
1.23
In addition, the Department of the Environment consulted on proposals for a sustainable

development strategy for Northern Ireland and has engaged with a range of sectors
representing a cross-cutting slice of public and civic society. By engaging with Sustainable
Northern Ireland Programme the department has been able to use new methods of
consultation and a totally new way to engage groups who would never before have met with
policy officials from government.
1.24
Some examples include an Education Sector consultation with the School of the Built
Environment, University of Ulster, and the School of Environmental Planning, Queens
University Belfast. In the case of the latter the students engaged the university community of
academics and students in the consultation as part of their course.There was also a rural
process, facilitated by the Rural Community Network and consultation with the Youth Sector
involving the Youth Council and Youth NGOs. In total, eleven events were hosted with
different sectors and provided a two-way communication where each of the sectors was
better able to articulate their contribution to achieving sustainable development as well as
telling government what it should be doing.The responses to the consultation are now being
examined. For further information visit www.nics.gov.uk
Sustainable development in Wales

If anyone agrees with The Economists recent conclusion that sustainable
development is a rather woolly concept, all very well in theory but impossible to
put into practice, Im putting them on the first train to Cardiff. ..Thats not to
say that Wales has all the answers to its serious and complex challenges But it
does seem that Wales is trying to tackle these issues with gusto and tenacity, in a
holistic, long term way, looking for the mutually reinforcing economic,
environmental and social benefits sustainable development requires.
Chair of the UK Sustainable Development Commission,
Jonathon Porritt, August 2002
1.25
From its inception, the National Assembly for Wales has tried to take sustainable
development into account in all its work, and this mainstreaming approach has been taken
forward by the Welsh Assembly Government in respect not only of its policies and
programmes but also its internal decision-making processes.
1.26
Last years annual report outlined:
the National Assembly for Waless statutory duties regarding sustainable development;
the commitments in the Assemblys Sustainable Development Scheme, especially that the
Assembly will take sustainable development into account in everything it does;
15
16
the structures the Welsh Assembly Government has put in place to meet these
commitments, including a Cabinet Sub-Committee on Sustainable Development (papers
and minutes of which are published on the internet) and a 3-year partnership with
Forum for the Future;
how the Welsh Assembly Governments corporate plan, Plan for Wales 2001, and
strategic policies on economic development, farming, planning, transport, Information
Communications and Technology and community regeneration are contributing to
sustainable development;
particular initiatives taking place in Wales, and
the partnerships the Welsh Assembly Government is fostering to help deliver sustainable
development on the ground.
1.27
Further details of these, and of the Welsh sustainable development indicators, are given in the
Welsh Assembly Governments annual report for 2001-02, available on the Assemblys
sustainable development website (the annual report for 2002-03 should be available there
too in April 2003).
1.28
This report relates specifically to what has happened during the period from January to
December 2002.
1.29
Building sustainable development into the Assemblys mainstream programmes remains at the
heart of its work. Over the course of the year, with help from Forum for the Future, the
Welsh Assembly Government has developed and piloted a top-level sustainability appraisal
methodology, or integration tool, and (from September 2002) has started to roll it out for all
policy-making.This draws on the Plan for Wales 2001. It sits alongside a suite of materials
designed to improve the formulation, consultation on, communication, implementation and
evaluation of policy.
1.30
Sustainable development is taken into account in Assembly budget decisions.This year, for the
first time, reducing Waless Ecological Footprint the demands Wales places on the earths
resources was identified as one of the focal themes for the spending round.
1.31
A Green Policy Statement and Action Plan for the National Assembly for Wales were
launched in June 2002, covering the Assemblys own operations. Within a year, all electricity
for its largest site is to be procured from renewable sources, amounting to around 70 per
cent of the Assemblys total electricity consumption.
1.32
A Compact was agreed in October 2002 between the Welsh Assembly Government and the
Welsh Local Government Association, to provide a framework for working relationships to
pursue sustainable development co-operatively in Wales. It will be supported by structured
plans for action, updated regularly.
1.33
During the course of the year, the Welsh Assembly Government has supported moves to
establish an independent Sustainable Development Forum for Wales to become a catalyst for
change in all sectors of Welsh society, map the path towards sustainable development, and
stimulate practical action. After engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, this was
established in December 2002 as a non-profit-making company limited by guarantee.
Strategic Direction
1.34
Amongst the specific initiatives mentioned in the 2001 report was a successful bid for
European Commission support for a 4 million programme, under the European Regional
Development Fund Regional Programme of Innovation Actions.The four projects included in
the bid are now under way. For further information visit www.sustainableregions.net
1.35
Funding for a Pan-European Regional Network on Sustainable Development was confirmed

by the European Commission in August 2002.This network (of which Wales is the designated
lead region) started work in October 2002. It will aim both to share and to develop
innovation and good practice in sustainable development, drawing on Innovative Action
projects in the partner regions.The founder members include twelve regions from EU
member states, and four partners from Accession Countries.
1.36
The Welsh Assembly Government is grateful to all its partners within Wales for their support
in preparing for, and following up on, the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Special
thanks are due to Oxfam Cymru and WWF Cymru, who co-hosted the preparatory Wales
& the World Conference with the Assembly in April 2002. With Assembly support, the Centre
for Alternative Technology and Techniquest combined to stage two conferences for young
people either side of the Summit.The first nominated a small group to represent the young
people of Wales in Johannesburg, and the second gave those who had gone an opportunity
to report back and looked at how to carry the Summits deliberations forward within Wales.
The City and County of Swansea, in conjunction with the Welsh Assembly Government,
hosted a major conference in December 2002 on translating the Summit outcomes into
practical action.
1.37
The First Minister attended the World Summit in Johannesburg as part of the UK delegation
and was able, whilst there, to help establish a global network of regional governments
committed to sustainable development.The Welsh Assembly Government co-sponsored a
conference arranged by Stakeholder Forum for regional governments and associations of
regions, at which the First Minister chaired the session which agreed the Gauteng Declaration.
This draws attention to the importance of regional and other sub-national governments in
putting sustainable development into practice; commits its signatories to try to make all their
development sustainable development; and announces a global network of regional
governments building and exchanging good practice.
1.38
The Welsh Assembly Government looks forward to taking these and other initiatives forward
in 2003, with its partners at home and abroad. For further information visit
www.wales.gov.uk/themessustainabledev/index.htm or
www.cymru.gov.uk/themessustainabledev/index.htm
17
English Regional Development Agencies

Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) were formally launched in eight English
regions on 1 April 1999.The ninth, in London, was established on 3 July 2000 following
the creation of the Greater London Authority (GLA).
RDAs aim to co-ordinate regional economic development and regeneration, enable the
English regions to improve their relative competitiveness and reduce the imbalances
that exists within and between regions to benefit the nation. RDAs work together
at the regional level with the Regional Assemblies and Chambers to identify the
overarching sustainable development priorities in the regional sustainable development
framework for their region and to ensure that they deliver on the targets they have
signed up to.
Each RDA has also co-ordinated the development of a Regional Economic Strategy
tailored to the particular circumstances of each region.These strategies are a primary
delivery mechanism for the delivery of sustainable economic development across
England.They therefore aim to contribute to the delivery of the Governments
Sustainable Development Strategy. In particular they will be a key driver for
improvements in economic outputs, investment, education and in combating poverty
and social exclusion through the generation of employment opportunities.
All the RDAs have adopted an integrated approach to the delivery of economic
growth, social progress, environmental protection and resource efficiency.This has led
to the development of innovative programmes and projects which aim to integrate the
delivery of economic, social and environmental goals.
The RDAs have developed mechanisms for ensuring sustainability is considered both
at a strategic, programme and project levels via sustainability appraisals. As part of
this mainstreaming the London Development Agency is also undertaking a Best
Value Review of Sustainability which has been designed to build on their existing
Sustainability Checklist to develop a wider set of tools and processes for integrating
and raising awareness of sustainability throughout their programme development.
For further information visit www.sustainabledevelopment.gov.uk/search_by/sector/regional.htm
European Union
1.39
Sustainable development requires international co-operation on matters such as trade, the

relief of global poverty, and environmental protection. For the UK, the European Union is
especially influential.The following section focuses on the key developments in a European
context in 2002: the EU Sustainable Development Strategy; progress being made in
implementing the Aarhus Convention; sustainability impact assessment; and the advances
in the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.
EU Sustainable Development Strategy

1.40
18
At the Barcelona European Council on 15 and 16 March 2002, Heads of Government

gave a brief review of progress on the EUs Sustainable Development Strategy agreed in
Gothenburg in 2001.They agreed on the need to incorporate the global dimension of
sustainable development into the Strategy and to review the overall Strategy at their next
Spring meeting, focusing on implementing outcomes from the World Summit on Sustainable
Development in Johannesburg.The European Commission produced its proposal for this
Strategic Direction
global dimension in February 2002, and the Development Council agreed conclusions drawing
on this in May 2002.
1.41
Following the World Summit, the General Affairs and External Relations Council has agreed
to oversee development of an implementation plan which will follow up commitments made
at Johannesburg.The UK supports this work and hopes it will identify actions which draw on
commitments already made by the EU as well as new undertakings from Johannesburg, to
provide a practical map of how the EU is addressing its global responsibilities.
Aarhus Convention
1.42
The EU have been making progress with their proposals to implement the Aarhus
Convention. A Directive on Public Access to Environmental Information, repealing Council
Directive 90/313/EEC, was adopted in December 2002. A draft directive for public
participation in respect of the drawing up of certain plans and programmes relating to the
environment has completed most of its stages in Brussels. We expect this to be adopted in
2003. Meanwhile the European Commission have also consulted on proposals for a draft
directive providing access to justice in environmental matters and on proposals for applying
the provisions of the Aarhus Convention to the institutions of the Community themselves.
Sustainability impact assessment

1.43
The UK sponsored an EU seminar in April 2002 to consider how the European Commission
might carry out its commitment to undertake sustainability impact assessments of major
policy proposals, by looking at experience in different Member States.The Commission
produced its proposal on impact assessments in June 2002 as part of an action plan for
better regulation in the EU.The proposal incorporates much of the approach suggested at
the seminar, requiring policy-makers to assess the economic, social and environmental benefits
of their proposals, and will be phased in with initial assessments starting from 2003.The
system should be fully operational by 2004. For further information visit www.europa.eu.int
Common Agricultural Policy reform

1.44
The World Summit on Sustainable Development made clear the importance of agricultural
reform for delivering global sustainable development goals and urged World Trade
Organisation members to fulfil the commitments made in the Doha Ministerial Declaration.
Despite the positive developments of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform agreements
over the past decade, the CAP still does not create a sustainable framework for ecological,
social and economic development. Renewed efforts are needed to further integrate
environmental concerns and to achieve sustainable development domestically and globally.
1.45
For this reason the UK supports the European Commissions most recent proposals for
reform of the CAP which will be the subject of intense negotiations into 2003. Internationally,
reform is essential to rectify the distortions of world markets which flow from the CAP (and
other developed country agricultural policies). It is among the very highest priorities for
developing countries who have consistently demanded that the EU reduce its subsidies
substantially, in order to allow them to compete fairly on domestic and world markets and
because of the damaging impact of EU subsidies and protection on their ability to develop
their agriculture sectors.
1.46
Implementation of the main elements of the Commissions proposals is essential if we are to

achieve our global sustainable development goals. But reform as proposed would also assist
the EU in reaching some of its domestic sustainable development objectives, including the
19
production of high-quality food, the use of environmentally sustainable production methods,

and the better protection of biodiversity. In particular, the proposals would bring producers
much closer to the needs of the market and, over time, allow significant extra expenditure on
public goods that the public wants and needs. For further information visit
www.defra.gov.uk/farm/capreform/index.htm
Sustainable Development in Government

1.47
This section covers the strategic progress this year within Government. It includes the
introduction of the requirement in the 2002 Government spending review for departments
to provide information on the sustainable development impacts of their proposals for the use
of public funds. It also highlights examples of progress within individual departments and
across Government where the first annual report on Sustainable Development in Government
and the launch of the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate were
the key events of the year.
Spending Review SR2002

1.48
Sustainable development was an overarching aim of SR2002. Each department with its own
Public Service Agreement (PSA) participating in SR2002 was required to produce a separate,
freestanding Sustainable Development Report (SDR) giving departments an opportunity to
explain in more detail the sustainable development implications of their bids and expand on
information provided elsewhere in the SR2002 bid.The SDRs set out any anticipated
significant social, economic and environmental implications for each departments five or so
top priorities. HM Treasury, for the first time, provided detailed guidance to departments on
how to incorporate sustainable development into their work.This guidance was made publicly
available in November 2001.
Sustainable development is a challenge for us all and cannot be delivered by
governments alone. But this Government recognises the importance of showing
leadership on sustainable development, at home and internationally. The
significant additional resources provided in this Spending Review for the delivery
of a better quality of life for all demonstrate that leadership.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Paul Boateng, July 2002
Government departments
1.49
Placing sustainable development at the heart of an organisation can be achieved in a number

of ways, including legislative approaches, policy directions by the relevant Secretary of State,
or inclusion in non-statutory aims and objectives.This section will look at two key examples
of placing sustainable development at the core of central government departments in 2002.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)

1.50
20
In June 2002, Defra launched its departmental sustainable development strategy Foundations
for Our Future a high profile initiative designed to embed sustainable development at the
heart of the department.The strategy was developed on the basis of wide-ranging
consultation, with stakeholders, staff and members of the public.The outcome of these
exercises directly influenced the structure and scope of the strategy.
Strategic Direction
This strategy marks the start of a process by which we hope to embed the tenets
of sustainable development deep within the culture of the Department and, by
example, within Government.
Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs,
Margaret Beckett, June 2002
1.51
The strategy provides a framework for how Defra will develop policies and states that the
department will:
be more transparent and accessible;
base decisions on sound science and analysis;
include and learn from others as much as possible, recognising that the best outcomes
usually result from a broad base of advice, evidence and opinion;
take a long-term perspective of its work;
ensure that the environmental, social and economic costs and benefits of its work are
understood and addressed; and
review progress every year with staff and stakeholders.
1.52
The strategy identifies a set of indicators which will be used to monitor Defras progress, and
sets the tone for future policy documents.
1.53
Following the launch of the strategy the department is carrying out an awareness raising
campaign that includes;
1.54
professionally run discussions for Defras directorates to help staff fully understand the
importance of sustainable development and the contribution they can make to its
success;
contact points in each division so information can be disseminated effectively to teams;
spotlight projects in a number of directorate generals, demonstrating how to put the

strategy into action, and to trial the use of the Integrated Policy Appraisal tool;
the inclusion of sustainable development as a key theme in induction training;
a new competency and skills framework reflecting Defras values, including the
behaviours needed to make sustainable development a reality;
awareness raising and training on access to information; and
new and improved information for staff on the intranet and the Defra website.
Defra is committed to working in partnership with the rest of Government, and the public,
private and voluntary sectors to achieve its sustainable development goals; the strategy will
help to achieve this. For further information visit www.defra.gov.uk
21
Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food

The Government is committed to delivering a better future for all those who live,
work in and visit the countryside. It aims to create a framework of opportunities to
help the farming and food industry meet the challenges it faces and become more
competitive, diverse, responsive to consumers wishes, environmentally responsible and
an integral part of the rural and wider economy.The independent Policy Commission
on the Future of Farming and Food was set up to advise the Government on how to
achieve this objective in England.The Commissions report, published in January 2002,
made a substantial contribution towards a new strategy for sustainable farming and
food which was launched in December 2002.
The Strategy, which is integrated with wider Government goals, including sustainable
development and rural polices, sets out a framework for building on existing policies
and working with the industry to develop new approaches to deliver genuinely
sustainable farming and food industries. A full response to each of the Policy
Commissions recommendations was published with the Strategy. For further
information visit www.defra.gov.uk
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

1.55
In July 2002, Baroness Hollis of Heigham and Sir Richard Mottram, the Permanent Secretary
of the Department for Work and Pensions, demonstrated their support for, and commitment
to, sustainable development by signing the Departments new Sustainable Development Policy
Statement. Baroness Hollis, Green Minister for DWP, launched the new Policy Statement as
an important milestone in the departments contribution to the Governments sustainable
development objectives.
1.56
The new Policy Statement makes an important contribution to the integration of sustainable
development at all levels within DWP and forms the bedrock for the strategy that is
currently being developed.The Statement covers all of DWPs business, from decision making
to delivery and has been made available to all staff by being posted on the departments
intranet, and on notice boards in all departmental buildings. For further information visit
www.dwp.gov.uk
We have made real progress in reducing the Departments impact on the
environment, particularly in the areas of renewable energy, awareness, travel, and
the introduction of Environmental Management Systems, and this statement
marks an important milestone in our contribution to the Governments
Sustainable Development objectives.
Minister for Work and Pensions, Baroness Hollis, July 2002
Sustainable Development in Government First Annual Report 2002

1.57
The Sustainable Development in Government First Annual Report was launched by the
Minister for Environment, Michael Meacher, at the Sustainability in Public Services Conference
on 27 November 2002.This report signalled the transition from the Greening Government
Initiative to Sustainable Development in Government and a wider review of Government
departments progress on the three broad priority areas agreed in 2001:
22
integrating sustainable development into decision making;
Strategic Direction
improving performance of the Government Estate; and
promoting understanding of sustainable development across Government.
1.58
The report, covering the period 1 April 2001- 31 March 2002, showed good progress being
made: there were continuing improvements in environmental performance on the
Government Estate particularly in respect of energy and water use and waste emissions; an
inter-departmental agreement was made on a new Framework for Sustainable Development on
the Government Estate with targets for future progress on travel, water and environmental
management systems; and all departments were being encouraged to integrate sustainable
development into decision making, and to build on the increasing focus on sustainable
development across all sectors of society arising from the World Summit on Sustainable
Development.
1.59
In addition to measures focused on improving performance of the Government Estate, the

report set out how departments were being encouraged to integrate sustainable
development into their policy making. Key initiatives include:
all departments with a Public Service Agreement being required to submit separate
Sustainable Development Reports in support of their bids for resources in the 2002
Spending Review;
a selection of departments piloting the Integrated Policy Appraisal tool developed initially
by the former Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions in
association with Defra and the Department of Health;
the Government beginning a review to consider the implications of climate change for
the full range of their policy and operational responsibilities;
departments beginning to set up Sustainable Development Units to better co-ordinate

sustainable development issues; and
the Greening Government website being replaced by the Sustainable Development in

Government website, which offers up-to-date guidance to departments and provides the
general public with information on Government commitments:
www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/sdig/
Future priorities
1.60
Planned activities for the year ahead mainly build on projects initiated over the last year.
Priorities include:
the further development and piloting of Integrated Policy Appraisal tools across
Government by the end of 2003;
the development and publication of the remaining sections of the Framework for
Sustainable Development on the Government Estate during 2003;
the complete consideration of scope for reporting on social impacts of Government

Estate during 2003.
23
1.61
Last years Greening Government report signalled the Governments intention to consider
wider impacts beyond Greening Operations including the social impacts of the operation of
the Government Estate. A Social Impacts Sub-Group of the Green Ministers Official Working
Group (GMOWG) has been established and Defra has also commissioned a consultancy
study to consider the benefits and burdens of social reporting to Government departments.
Departments will consider the consultants recommendations over the next few months. For
further information visit www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/sdig/
Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate

1.62
The Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate was launched in July
2002 by Michael Meacher, along with publication of the first parts of the Framework which
include targets on environmental management systems, travel and water.The remaining parts,
covering waste, energy, procurement, estate management, biodiversity and social impacts will
be built up in stages over the next year.The Framework also contains guidance to support
departments in achieving these targets.
1.63
This new approach covering central departments and executive agencies is the main vehicle
for systematically assessing, managing, reporting and improving the performance of the
Government Estate.This is the first time that such an approach has been agreed across the
Government Estate. For further information visit www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/sdig/
Procurement
1.64
The interdepartmental Sustainable Procurement Group (SPG) was established in November

2001 by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Margaret Beckett, to
consider how Government bodies can carry out the procurement of goods and services in
a manner that supports the Governments policy and objectives for sustainable development.
It is envisaged that outcomes from SPGs recommendations will inform the procurement
section of the Framework.
Environmental Audit Committee
24
1.65
The Environmental Audit Committees (EAC) remit is to consider how far Government
policies are contributing to sustainable development and to audit its performance against
related targets. Issues examined this year have included: the headline indicators for sustainable
development; sustainable energy; and Government timber procurement.
1.66
The World Summit on Sustainable Development has been a major strand of the Committees
recent work. In March 2002, the Committee acknowledged that the Government was preparing
well for the Summit and a small EAC delegation to the Summit observed the UK in action.The
Committee continues to monitor the Governments implementation of Summit commitments.
1.67
The Committee has also continued to scrutinise the impact of Government expenditure and
revenue raising on sustainable development, largely through its examination of the annual
Pre-Budget Report. Other strands of work, some of which will continue into 2003, have
included: an examination of the impact on sustainable development policy-making and
delivery of the post-election Whitehall reorganisation; the New Electricity Trading
Arrangements and the progress made in relation to the Voluntary Initiative on Pesticides; and
a major examination of the effectiveness of the Governments Waste Strategy.
1.68
The EACs reports, recommendations and details of current inquiries can be found at
www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/environmental_audit_committee.cfm
Strategic Direction
Sustainable Development Commission

The Sustainable Development Commission is a UK-wide, non-departmental public body,
reporting to the Prime Minister and the leaders of the devolved administrations. It is chaired
by Jonathon Porritt.The Commissions remit is to advocate sustainable development across
all sectors in the UK, review progress towards it, and build consensus on the actions needed
if further progress is to be achieved. Its mission is to inspire government, the economy and
society to embrace sustainable development as the central organising principle.
For the Commissions own part, we have been enacting our remit in the following
main areas.
Coming ten years after Rio, the World Summit on Sustainable Development in
Johannesburg represented the most important opportunity for a decade to put
sustainable development at the top of the political agenda. We used the occasion to
focus attention on Sustainable Development here in the UK, including a challenge to
Government departments to take effective action to follow up the Summit.
We have mirrored that theme in our input to the Governments forthcoming Energy
White Paper, calling for a sustainable energy policy to stimulate a low carbon, competitive
economy, and seeking a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by at least some 60% by
about 2050. We have also initiated a partnership to develop dCARB-uk.This programme
will assess the feasibility of achieving deep carbon-reduction targets at a variety of spatial
and sectoral levels in the UK.
And weve also recently completed an audit of the Governments Climate Change
Programme. Our analysis shows that although the Government is on track to meet its
Kyoto targets, it will fall well short of its goal for reducing emissions of CO2 by 20 per
cent by 2010 unless radical new measures are introduced in the forthcoming Energy
White Paper.
Following our submissions to the Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food,
we have worked closely with Defra on its Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food. We
have also provided advice about sustainable food procurement within the NHS. (See
comments by the Commissions Chairman below).
We have sought to influence the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) on
establishing a statutory purpose for planning. We have also produced, and are following
up, a discussion paper Vision for sustainable regeneration: environment and poverty the
missing link, which included a set of principles for sustainable regeneration. Central to this
is the concept of environmental justice: equal access to a clean environment and equal
protection from possible environmental harm, irrespective of race, income or class.
We have started to investigate the degree to which the pursuit of conventional
economic growth is compatible with the Governments other objectives for sustainable
development, raising all sorts of issues regarding the measurement of well-being, quality
of life and resource productivity (for further information on this project please check our
Redefining the Debate page on our website address below).
For the future, the Commission intends integrating these work themes, to assess how, for
example, our work on climate change and regeneration can be linked particularly at a
local level.
More information about the Commissions activities is contained in our flagship
publication Agenda. For further information visit www.sd-commission.gov.uk
25
Jonathon Porritt, Chairman, Sustainable Development Commission

Sustainable development should be the organising principle of all democratic societies,
underpinning all other goals, policies and processes. It provides a framework for integrating
economic, social and environmental concern over time, not through crude trade-offs, but
through the pursuit of mutually reinforcing benefits. It promotes good governance, healthy
living, innovation, life-long learning and all forms of economic growth which secure the natural
capital upon which we depend. It reinforces social harmony and seeks to secure each
individuals prospects of leading a fulfilling life.
This is the most important principle against which the performance of the Sustainable
Development Commission is likely to be measured at the end of our first five years.
Since the Earth Summit back in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, and the emergence of the UKs
first sustainable development strategy under John Major as Prime Minister, sustainable
development has lurked around the fringes of UK politics, occasionally warranting a
starring role (as at last years World Summit on Sustainable Development in
Johannesburg, for instance), but never quite making it into the big time.
I dont think anyone should be too surprised by that. Sustainable development is still
pretty much a newcomer on the block, and as a cross-cutting, even all-embracing
concept, it will always be working against the grain of Whitehall, the skyline of which
remains as dominated today by its vertical policy silos as in any preceding
administration. A succession of admirable efforts to get more of the joined-up feel
between the silos has certainly helped, but its still the case that policy gets sorted and
budgets spent without a great deal of cross-cutting co-ordination.
So Ministers outside of Defra have to go the extra mile to factor in the challenge of
doing whatever they do in a more sustainable fashion. Persuading them to do that
invariably needs leadership from on high, and it has to be said that this particular political
commodity has been in somewhat inconsistent supply when it comes to sustainable
development. But the optimist in me is persuaded that this is now beginning to change.
Indeed, it would be unduly cynical not to be encouraged by the following statements:
Tony Blair: We know the problems, and we know the solution: sustainable development.
The issue is the political will.
John Prescott: Sustainable development is not just about the environment, its also about
social justice and economic development within a sustainable framework. It is also about
partnership between rich and poor countries. Between governments and civic society. Between
scientists, business and NGOs. At home and abroad.
Gordon Brown: We talk a great deal about the 1944 economic objectives that governments
across the western world have followed: high and stable levels of growth and employment.
With the understanding we have now, I believe that these objectives are better expressed as
high and stable levels of growth, employment and sustainable development.
And you will have seen for yourself Margaret Becketts commitment to promoting sustainable
development across Government in her Foreword.The challenge now is to convert that
high-level commitment into policies that really begin to make a difference on the ground.
The first manifestation of this has to be the Governments new Strategy on Sustainable
Farming and Food.The crisis in UK farming is now so deep that even those farmers
who are not yet personally persuaded of the need for radical change can see the
writing on the wall. Sooner or later, the CAP will come to the end of its unnatural life,
to be replaced by something which ensures that public money is used to generate
rural benefits that the public really wants in terms of protected landscapes, easier
access, enhanced biological biodiversity, thriving rural economies and so on.
26
Strategic Direction
Unfortunately, the speed with which this transition can be effected is not completely
within our control. In a move that took policy-makers completely by surprise,
President Chirac and Chancellor Schroeder stitched up a deal at the EU Summit in
October last year which means that CAP expenditure, excluding rural development,
will be constrained at 2006 levels (plus 1% inflator) until 2013.This does not go as far
as the UK was arguing for.The UK has been in the vanguard of those EU countries
seeking to reform the CAP, not just in terms of sorting out a more sustainable set of
policies for our own farmers, but in terms of meeting our obligations to developing
countries whose farmers are so adversely affected by continuing subsidies in both the
EU and the US. But the Mid-Term-Review proposals are still on the table. If agreed,
these will delink subsidies from production and reduce some commodity prices, with a
positive impact on developing countries.
There should be no such barriers as far as the DTI is concerned in fashioning a
genuinely sustainable energy strategy for the UK. Its had all the advice it could possibly
need from the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (advocating the adoption
of a target to reduce CO2 emissions by 60 % by around 2050), the Performance and
Innovation Unit in Number 10, the Carbon Trust and the Sustainable Development
Commission itself all recommending an unambiguous shift to renewables, energy
efficiency and CHP as the fundamental elements in a new sustainable strategy.
What matters most is that all the different options (including coal, gas, nuclear,
renewables, efficiency, Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and hydrogen) should be
assessed against the same sustainable development criteria making like-for-like
comparisons on economics, security of supply, environmental issues, employment
implications and so on.There should be no special deals this time round. If nuclear, for
instance, doesnt perform well against these criteria (and our own appraisal indicates that
it certainly doesnt), then there is no logical justification for continuing to spend billions
of pounds of public money on a supply option that simply cant deliver the goods.
And if, as we believe, the combination of renewables, energy efficiency and CHP can be
demonstrated to deliver best value on all counts in terms of a sustainable strategy,
then Government must pursue these options with vigour and single minded
determination. Any perpetuation of the incoherent, contradictory and half-hearted
approaches that have dominated the scene until now would be disastrous.
If we could sort out both agriculture and energy, which affect so many peoples lives
directly and indirectly, then the principle with which this article started can be brought
to bear on many other policy areas. Its clear, for instance, that both Number 10 and
the Treasury are now seriously engaged in sorting out some of the most vexed issues
surrounding waste minimisation and recycling issues that have kept us embarrassingly
close to the bottom of the EUs recycling league tables ever since the Government was
elected in 1997.And that leads into the whole area of resource productivity driving
down inputs of energy and raw materials for each unit of production or value added
on which all todays enduring assumptions of reconciling the pursuit of conventional
economic growth with genuine sustainability so optimistically rest.
Then urban regeneration; housing; environmental justice; planning and land use;
aviation; public transport; public health; education as I said, sustainable development
is not just cross-cutting but all-embracing! Thats what makes it such a devil to deal
with for hard-pressed Ministers, but its also what gives it such integrating power.
Which is why we often find ourselves speculating, on the Sustainable Development
Commission, why its taking so long for this Government to realise they dont need to
fabricate phoney big ideas theyve already got the most authentic of big ideas to
hand, which theyre just beginning to make a fist of.
27
CHAPTER TWO
Guiding Principles and

Approaches
2.1
The following Chapter introduces the ten guiding principles and approaches outlined in the
Strategy for sustainable development for the UK that underpin the achievement of
sustainable development. Four of the principles and approaches are considered in more detail
Transparency, information, participation and access to justice; Using scientific knowledge; The
precautionary principle; and Taking a long term perspective charting key developments in
these areas in 2002 and featuring related case-studies.
1. Putting people at the centre
Sustainable development must enable people to enjoy a better quality of life, now and
in the future. In the words of the Rio Declaration, human beings are at the centre of
concerns for sustainable development.They are entitled to a healthy and productive
life in harmony with nature.
2.Taking a long term perspective
Sustainable development thinking cannot restrict itself to the life of a Parliament, or
the next decade. Radical improvements have to begin now to safeguard the interests
of future generations. At the same time we must meet todays needs for example,
people need warm homes, which, at present, means using predominantly fossil fuels.
3.Taking account of costs and benefits
Decisions must take account of a wide range of costs and benefits, including those
which cannot easily be valued in money terms. In pursuing any single objective, we
should not impose disproportionate costs elsewhere. Public values, the timing of costs
and benefits and risks and uncertainties should be taken into account.
4. Creating an open and supportive economic system
Sustainable development requires a global economic system which supports economic
growth in all countries.We need to create conditions in which trade can flourish and
competitiveness can act as a stimulus for growth and greater resource efficiency.
5. Combating poverty and social exclusion
Eradicating poverty is indispensable for sustainable development.We must help
developing countries to tackle widespread abject poverty. In this country, everyone
should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential, through access to high quality
public services, education and employment opportunities, decent housing and good
local environments.
6. Respecting environmental limits
Serious or irreversible damage to some aspects of the environment and resources
would pose a severe threat to global society. Examples are major climate change,
overuse of freshwater resources, or collapse of globally significant fish stocks. In these
cases, there are likely to be limits which should not be breached. Defining such limits is
difficult, so precautionary action needs to be considered.
28
Guiding Principles and Approaches
7.The precautionary principle

The Rio Declaration defines the precautionary principle as where there are threats of
serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a
reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.
Precautionary action requires assessment of the costs and benefits of action, and
transparency in decision-making.
8. Using scientific knowledge
When taking decisions, it is important to anticipate early on where scientific advice or
research is needed, and to identify sources of information of high calibre.Where
possible, evidence should be reviewed from a wide-ranging set of viewpoints.
9.Transparency, information, participation and access to justice
Opportunities for access to information, participation in decision-making, and access
to justice should be available to all.
10. Making the polluter pay
Much environmental pollution, resource depletion and social cost occurs because
those responsible are not those who bear the consequence. If the polluter, or
ultimately the consumer, is made to pay for those costs, that gives incentives to reduce
harm, and means that costs do not fall on society at large. At the same time, it may
not always be possible for everyone to bear all such costs, particularly for essential
goods and services.
Transparency, information, participation and access to justice

2.2
Sustainable development is the responsibility of everyone, not just every level of government.
Improved awareness of sustainable development can be a powerful tool for change.To ensure
a long term perspective, people from all sectors must be aware of the influence they can
have on the local and global environment, and the improvements that this can make to their
own quality of life and that of generations to come.
2.3
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000 requires all public authorities to make
information available pro-actively. Central Government departments and Non-Departmental
Public Bodies were required to have Publication Schemes in place by the end of November.
These schemes give details of the information that an authority makes available, and how to
access it.The Lord Chancellors Department (LCD) provided guidance in July for Government
departments and NDPBs on what to consider in producing their schemes. Other public
authorities will be preparing Publication Schemes in 2003.
2.4
In 2002 Defra went out to consultation on draft regulations to replace the existing
Environmental Information Regulations (EIRs) 1992. More than 2000 public authorities, NonGovernmental Organisations and other stakeholders were consulted and this was followed
by meetings and discussions in the autumn.The intention is to implement the requirements of
pillar 1 of the Aarhus Convention on access to environmental information and also to
implement the new EU Directive.The new regulations are now being prepared.They will be
accompanied by updated guidance. An awareness raising campaign to ensure that officials in
public authorities and members of the public are aware of their information responsibilities
and rights will follow, co-ordinated in parallel with work by the LCD to raise awareness and
understanding of the FOIA.
29
2.5
In October 2002 the Magistrates Association Annual General Meeting focused on

environmental crime.The session, named Costing the Earth, identified the domestic and global
costs of environmental crime as well as regulatory costs. Staff from across Defra, as well as
from local authorities and the Environment Agency, supported the Associations work which
aimed to raise magistrates awareness and understanding of sustainable development and to
give a better understanding of the breadth of environmental law; the amounts of money
involved; and the harm being done to our environment.The meeting was a complete success.
Presentations were well received.This event was followed in November by a press launch by
Michael Meacher of a training package for magistrates on environmental crime.The pack,
developed by the Magistrates Association, aims to help magistrates deliver effective sentences
for environmental offences. Environmental crime affects the quality of our lives, now and for
generations to come.The magistrates can therefore play a key role.
2.6
An International Symposium on Environmental Law for Judges was held in October 2002.The
Symposium was attended by senior judges from across the world, many of whom spoke
about the system and problems in their country. For example, Chief Justice Mahla Pearlman
spoke about the New South Wales Land and Environment Court in Australia.The discussions
showed the amount of serious international interest in the subject.
Using scientific knowledge

2.7
The Sustainable Development Research (SDR) Network is a Defra funded initiative

co-ordinated by the Policy Studies Institute (PSI) in collaboration with the Centre for
Sustainable Development (CfSD) at the University of Westminster and the Centre for the
Study of Environmental Change and Sustainability (CECS) at the University of Edinburgh.
The Networks goal is to contribute to sustainable development in the United Kingdom by
facilitating the better use of evidence and research in policy-making.
Sustainable development is all about integration and this Network is an
excellent example of taking an integrated approach to solving multi-dimensional
problems and cross-cutting issues
Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Environment,
Food & Rural Affairs, Elliot Morley, May 2002
30
2.8
As well as organising regular meetings and workshops, through its academic Advisory Group
and research User Forum, the SDR-Network hosts an Annual Sustainable Development
Research Conference and publishes an online database of UK sustainable development
research activities.The proceedings of the Networks 2001 conference were published this
year as part of a Joseph Rowntree Foundation report Sustainable Development and Social
Inclusion reviewing the linkages between social exclusion, environmental justice and
2.9
Interest in the SDR-Networks activities has grown rapidly, with some seven hundred
individual researchers, policymakers and practitioners subscribing to the Networks electronic
newsletter the SDR-Network Mailing.
2.10
A key task of the SDR-Network over the last year has been liaising with funding bodies to
promote support for crosscutting sustainable development research. In May 2002 the
Network published A New Agenda for UK Sustainable Development Research.This set out a
challenging agenda for funders and researchers alike to develop the institutional frameworks,
research programmes and specific projects necessary to better equip the UK on the path to
sustainable development.The Network is continuing to develop this agenda through detailed

dialogue with Research Councils UK, individual funding bodies and Government departments.
For further information visit www.sd-research.org.uk
Research Council funding for sustainable development
In recent years the UK Research Councils have invested significant collaborative
funding in multidisciplinary centres and programmes (such as the Tyndall Centre for
Climate Change and Sustainable Technologies Initiative) relevant to sustainable
development.
Together the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC), the
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the Economic and Social
Research Council (ESRC) and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
have an annual spend of some 61.8 million on research relevant to sustainable
development (BBSRC approx. 22 million; EPSRC approx. 20 million; NERC
approx. 16.8 million; ESRC approx. 3 million).
The precautionary principle

2.11
The Strategy for sustainable development for the UK makes it clear that precaution is not just
relevant to environmental damage it is relevant also in the fields of health and safety. It
emphasises that precautionary action requires assessment of costs and benefits of action,
transparency and proportionality; and that decisions should be reviewed to reflect better
understanding of risk as more evidence becomes available.
2.12
The Interdepartmental Liaison Group on Risk Assessment (ILGRA) was commissioned by

Ministers to develop guidance on a more consistent approach to application of the principle
across Government.This guidance was set out in the paper The Precautionary Principle: Policy
and Application, published by ILGRA in June 2002. It makes the following key points:
The precautionary principle should be invoked when:
there is good reason to believe that harmful effects may occur to human, animal or
plant health or to the environment; and
the level of scientific uncertainty about the consequences or likelihood of the risk is
such that the best available scientific advice cannot assess the risk with sufficient
confidence to inform decision-making.
The precautionary principle should be distinguished from other drivers that require
caution such as societys view on the extent of protection afforded to children or others
considered to be vulnerable, or the wish to ensure that conventional risk assessment
techniques deliberately over rather than under-estimate risk.
Action in response to the precautionary principle should accord with the principles of
good regulation, i.e. be proportionate, consistent, targeted, transparent and accountable.
Applying the precautionary principle is essentially a matter of making assumptions about

consequences and likelihoods to establish credible scenarios, and then using standard
procedures of risk assessment and management to inform decisions on how to address
the hazard or threat.
31
Decision-making should bring together all relevant social, political, economic and ethical
factors in selecting an appropriate risk management option.
Invoking the precautionary principle shifts the burden of proof in demonstrating

presence of risk or degree of safety towards the hazard creator.The presumption should
be that the hazard creator should provide, as a minimum, the information needed for
decision-making.
For further information visit www.hse.gov.uk/dst/ilgra/ilgra.htm
Taking a long term perspective

2.13
Civil society is often better at taking a long term view. Education is needed to ensure that
each new generation can learn from our experience and understand sustainable
development. For sustainable development to become a reality, individuals, communities,
businesses and Government need to develop the skills and commitment to live and behave
sustainably, together with the vision and understanding of why it is necessary to do so.This
section features four case-studies dealing with different aspects of sustainable development
education. For further information visit
www.defra.gov.uk/environment/sustainable/educpanel/index.htm
Learning to Last
In 2000 the Government set up the Learning and Skills Development Agency (LSDA)
to support the development of post-16 education and training, advising the national
Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and its 47 local councils. LSDAs Learning to Last
project focused on integrating sustainability principles and practices into all levels of
post-16 education.
Early in 2000 three seminars on Citizenship, Sustainability and Social Inclusion, Education
for Sustainable Economic Development and Responsibility in Education in a Risk Society in
London and Birmingham kicked off the initiative.These involved formal presentations
by leading figures in education and sustainable development and workshops that
facilitated creative multi-disciplinary dialogues. Key findings were published at a launch
conference focusing on practical and policy issues raised during the seminars.
This complemented a 2001-02 LSC initiative funding projects at 11 Further Education
colleges to devise and promote best practice in education for sustainable
development.This proved so successful that the LSC has made further funding
available and 12 new projects have been planned, including a joint Cornwall College
scheme with the Eden Project, and work on key skills for sustainable development at
St Helens College.
For further information visit www.lsda.org.uk/pubs/ (put learning to last in the
search box) or for the Dissemination of good practice in Sustainable Development
Education www.lsda.org.uk/research/activeproj.asp
32
UK universities and colleges sectoral sustainability strategy

The Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability is a 3-year project funded by UK
higher education funding councils. Its purpose is to help 18 universities and colleges
deliver their own strategic objectives through a positive engagement with sustainable
development and to share that experience with the sector.
One of the key outputs of the partnership is the development of a sustainability
reporting system for the sector. Designed to celebrate the diversity of the sector, the
system will track the contribution universities and colleges can make to sustainability
through their teaching and research programmes as well as how they run their estates
and relate to their local community. Finance Directors working in the sector are also
considering how green accounting techniques can help not only reduce costs, energy
use and waste, but also manage risks.
An important step in helping the sector integrate sustainability issues into the
strategic planning process will be the new Sustainable Development Strategy Group
set up by UUK/SCOP (the body that represents the sectors Vice Chancellors and
Principals).
For further information visit www.heps.org.uk
Workplace sector guidelines on sustainable development

The Sustainable Development Education Panel, with support from the Department for
Education and Skills and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, have
developed a set of guides designed to promote education for sustainable development
across a range of workplace sectors where organisations are keen to embrace
sustainable development but do not know how to get started.
Guides for professions and sector skills councils were launched on 24 September
2002; over 30 representatives of the sectors attended the launch. Key representatives
put their names to a Sign Up for Sustainable Development pledge board, promising to
promote sustainable development through education and awareness raising in their
sectors.
This is a much needed initiative to help employers and employees meet the challenge of
sustainable development in the workplace, particularly in the light of the World Summit.
Minister for Environment, Michael Meacher, September 2002
For further information visit www.dfes.gov.uk
33
Communicating sustainable development

FUTERRA is a not-for-profit organisation originally sponsored by the National
Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts. Dedicated to the effective
communication of sustainable development, one of their first activities was the
creation of two short films to be used by business, local government and educators.
These films, launched in July 2002, explore sustainable development themes in very
different styles.
One Minute is about coaxing people into realising the immense impacts we all have in
our everyday decision-making.The theme of the film is the forgotten power each of us
wields, whether its deciding to favour renewable energy for our domestic electricity
supply, buying fairly traded goods like coffee, or choosing ethical investment funds.
The Seasons Alter is a contemporary short film interpretation of a sequence from
William Shakespeares A Midsummer Nights Dream.The vision for this film centres on
the famous weather speech by Titania.
It is still not enough just to describe the term ... [sustainable development]. People need to
understand what it means to them in practice if they are going to be engaged in its activities.
Minister for Rural Affairs, Alun Michael, July 2002
For further information visit www.futerracom.org
Keira Knightley and Lloyd Owen in The Seasons Alter.
34
CHAPTER THREE
Headline Indicators
3.1
In the Strategy for sustainable development for the UK, the Government made a
commitment to report annually on progress against a set of 15 headline indicators1 a
quality of life barometer in order to provide a high level overview of progress, and be a
powerful tool for simplifying and communicating the main messages for the public. In addition,
the Government stated that its aim is for all the headline indicators to move in the right
direction over time or, when a satisfactory level has been reached, to prevent a reversal.
3.2
This chapter gives an overview of the progress being made in each of the headline indicators,
and provides related case-studies showing the range of activities being carried out across
government and by stakeholders at all levels of society to further sustainable development.
3.3
The indicators are divided into three sections: economic, social, and environmental. Progress is
highlighted for each individual indicator by the use of traffic light assessments. In most cases
there is information in the text or a graph providing a forward look, reflecting either the
expected or desired outcome of policies or actions in place or planned, or targets or
objectives to which the Government is committed, or a combination of these.The casestudies illustrate how these policies can affect the individual headline indicators, as well as
looking more widely at their cross-cutting implications.There is also information on public
attitudes2 to some of the issues behind the indicators, taken from the Survey of public
attitudes to quality of life and to the environment, published in October 2002.
Assessment of the indicators

3.4
Table 3.1 overleaf provides a summary of the latest traffic light assessments for each of the
indicators based on information available up to the end of 2002.These are on two bases: the
latest data compared with the position in 1990, Change since 1990; and the latest data
compared with the baseline position of the data available at the time of the Strategy in 1999,
Change since Strategy. In most cases the baseline related to one or two years prior to the
Strategy.
3.5
Progress is indicated by green (significant change, in the direction of meeting the objective),
amber (no significant change), and red (significant change, in the direction away from meeting
the objective).Year to year fluctuations in the individual indicators in the right and wrong
directions are to be expected, even when the long-term trend is showing good progress.
3.6
It should be emphasised that the traffic lights only signify progress compared with the 1990
and Strategy baselines. A green traffic light does not mean that we have now reached our
goals, only that we are making progress in the right direction.
The headline indicators are part of a larger set of indicators, Quality of life counts, published in
December 1999 to provide a baseline assessment against which progress towards sustainable
development can be measured.
Survey of public attitudes to quality of life and to the environment 2001, Defra 2002
(www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/pubatt/index.htm)
35
Summary of progress
36
3.7
Compared with the position in the 2001 annual report, individual indicators that continue to
make good progress and show green traffic lights since the Government introduced the
Strategy include Economic output (H1), the selected indicators on Poverty and Social
Exclusion (H4) and River water quality (H12).There has also been significant progress, and
hence green traffic lights both since the Strategy and since 1990, for Land Use (H14). In
addition, new data have, for the first time, allowed an assessment for Housing (conditions)
(H7) since the Strategy to be made this too is a green traffic light.
3.8
The indicators for Employment (H3), Crime (burglary from dwellings and thefts of or from
vehicles) (H8), and Climate change (H9) still show good progress and hence show green
traffic lights since the Strategy, but recent progress has slowed or has changed direction.
Wildlife (woodland birds) (H13), shows good progress. However, access restrictions related
to the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak severely restricted data collection in 2001.
It is not possible, therefore, to provide a meaningful update of the headline indicator for 2001.
3.9
Indicators for Investment (H2), Education (H5) and Air Quality (H10) previously showed
good progress since the Strategy, but figures updated during 2002 show little change
indicated by amber traffic lights compared with the position at the time of the Strategy.
3.10
For most indicators, the recent figures have not justified changing the longer-term assessment
of Change since 1990 originally made in the year of the Strategy. However, in addition to the
progress in the Land use (H14) indicator, Change since 1990 for Investment (H2) now
shows an amber traffic light, rather than a red and Change since 1990 for Housing
(conditions) (H7) now shows a green traffic light rather than amber.
3.11
As also proposed in the 2001 report, the violent component of the Crime (H8) indicator
has been refined to robbery a subset of violent crime. However, this has not affected the
red traffic light assessments for this component, rather, recent trends in robbery reinforce this
as an area of particular concern.
3.12
The indicator for Road traffic (H11) has previously caused some confusion as to whether
assessments were based on absolute traffic levels or rates of growth.The position is not
helped by the weak relationship between the indicator and the overall objective against
which the assessment is made. We will be reviewing this objective, and the most appropriate
headline indicator to reflect it, ahead of the next report. In the meantime, in order to remove
any ambiguity, a new split assessment has been introduced. One component highlights the
continuing pressures that increasing road traffic volumes continue to generate.The second
component highlights progress in weakening the association between traffic and economic
growth which has prevailed strongly over the last few decades.
3.13
The assessment of Waste (H15) has also been split, as it is not currently possible to update
figures on all waste arisings and management. A separate red traffic light assessment is
therefore made for household waste, which reflects the continual increase in the levels of
waste generated.This and the changes mentioned above are explained in more detail in the
supporting text for each indicator.
3.14
Putting some of these indicators on a sustainable path will not happen overnight. As the
Strategy explains, however, a key test of whether progress is being made towards sustainable
development is whether improvements are to be found across the three pillars of social,
economic and environmental indicators. As Table 3.1 shows, this is still the case.
Table 3.1 Headline indicators assessment of progress since baselines

based on information available up to the end of 2002
(Full explanations of assessments are given in the individual indicator sections)
Headline Indicator
Change since
1990
Change since
Strategy
Economic
H1
Economic output
H2
Investment
H3
Employment
H4
Poverty and social exclusion
H5
Education
H6
Health
H7
Housing conditions
H8
Crime robbery
(3)
Social
theft of, or from vehicles and domestic burglary
(3)
Environment
H9
Climate change
H10
Air quality
H11
Road traffic total road traffic volumes
road traffic intensity (traffic per GDP)

H12
River water quality
H13
Wildlife farmland birds
woodland birds
H14
Land use
H15
Waste household waste
...
...
all arisings and management
(3)
(4)
Key
Significant change, in direction of meeting objective
No significant change
Significant change, in direction away from meeting objective
Insufficient or no comparable data
...
Recent progress has slowed or has changed direction, but not sufficiently to change the assessment
of progress since the Strategy
New data are expected in 2004

37
Economic indicators
3.15
A better quality of life for all will require better, more widely available goods and services:
decent housing, efficient household equipment; safe and nutritious food; and access to a
growing range of leisure activities. We have to meet those needs in ways which deliver overall
sustainable development objectives on social progress, the environment, resource use, and
economic growth and employment.
3.16
To do so requires a stable and competitive economy. We must continue to increase the

productivity and efficiency with which we use resources. Also, goods and services must be
produced in ways that treat people fairly, give them the opportunity to fulfil their potential
and make the best use of their skills and knowledge.
UK Priority Areas identified in the Strategy for sustainable development for the UK
a better quality of life (1999):
We need more growth not less. Although, compared with many countries, the UKs economy
is highly productive and our average incomes are high, we have steadily been overtaken by
other nations in both respects.
That growth must be of a higher quality than in the past. It needs to be achieved while
reducing pollution and the use of resources.
3.17
The following section looks at the progress made by the end of 2002 as shown by the three
economic headline indicators: Economic output (H1), Investment (H2) and Employment
(H3). It features related policy examples and case-studies from a range of stakeholders
showing the importance of action at all levels and the need for a joined up approach to
achieving sustainable development.
The Bank of England

38
Headline Indicators
H1 Economic output
Objective: Our economy must continue to grow.
GDP and GDP per head*
United Kingdom
260
2002 PSA target: Demonstrate progress on raising the
trend rate of growth from the current estimate of 2.5 %
by 2004 and make further progress towards increasing
trend growth up to 2006. Arrow shows 2.5% annual
growth from the base year 1999.
240
220
200
Index (1970 = 100)
180
GDP
160
140
GDP per head
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004
Source: Office for National Statistics
3.18
*Based on constant 1995 prices
Change since 1990: Output of the economy per head grew by 25 per cent,
2.1 per cent per year on average, between 1990 and 2001.
[data: UK, 1990-2001]
Change since the

Strategy:
Output of the economy rose by 2.7 per cent in 1998,

2.1 per cent in 1999, 2.9 per cent in 2000 and 1.6 per cent
in 2001. [data: UK, 1998-2001]
Maintaining high and stable levels of economic growth is one of the key objectives of
sustainable development, the quality of that growth is just as important as the quantity.
Public Service Agreement target relevant to H1
HMT: Raise the trend rate of growth from the current estimate of 2.55 per cent and make
further progress towards increasing trend growth up to 2006.
Related Public Service Agreement target

Joint DTI, HMT & ODPM: Make sustainable improvements in the economic performance of
all English regions and over the long term reduce the persistent gap in growth rates between
the regions, defining measures to improve performance and reporting progress against these
measures by 2006.
The economic projections presented in Budget 2002 are anchored on a neutral assumption of 2.75
per cent for annual trend output growth over the period.This revised estimate underpins the midpoints of the Budget 2002 economic forecast ranges and is in line with those produced by a number
of independent organisations, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
39
3.19
Economic progress should not conflict with social and environmental goals.The following
section looks at some of the predominant policies and processes for a sustainable economy,
balancing quantity and quality of growth. One of the priorities recognised at the World
Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) was the need to make our patterns of
consumption and production more sustainable.
Sustainable production and consumption
40
3.20
The implementation plan agreed at WSSD included a commitment to encourage and

promote the development of a 10-year framework of programmes in support of regional and
national initiatives to accelerate the shift towards sustainable consumption and production ...
delinking economic growth and environmental degradation through improving efficiency and
sustainability in the use of resources and production processes.
3.21
This is potentially a massive agenda, so a key challenge for the Government is to establish a
clear and practical vision for taking it forward. Over the next few months Defra will be
working with others to develop a sustainable consumption and production strategy which will
set out what the Government is already doing and identify what more needs to be done.
3.22
At the strategic level, we will need to work out priorities with our European Union partners
and integrate those with other relevant strategies for sustainable development, innovation and
growth.The Government will play a full part in this strategic work, and in getting clarity about
the wider international role of bodies like the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
3.23
Within the UK, there are a number of existing programmes which help to support
sustainable production and consumption such as the Sustainable Technologies Initiative,
Envirowise, the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), the Market Transformation
Programme and the work of the Carbon Trust. Further important work is already in progress,
for example in following up the Strategy Units reports on resource productivity and waste
and in the forthcoming White Paper on energy. We shall also be looking hard at the future
role of public procurement, in the light of a review currently being carried out within
government.
3.24
Initial discussions have been held with stakeholders about the priorities the Government
should be considering for further action. Our advisory committees working in this field will
also have recommendations to make.There is undoubtedly a lot of work to be done to
shape this into a focussed and practical plan of action. However, we are well-positioned to get
the necessary coherence over the coming year, to lay the ground for what WSSD envisaged
as being a full 10-year initiative.
Headline Indicators
UK Business Council for Sustainable Energy

Following WSSD, the UK Business Council for Sustainable Energy (UKBCSE), together
with its US, European and Australian equivalents launched a new strategic alliance
between the organisations for promoting sustainable energy internationally including
taking forward outcomes of Johannesburg.
The UKBCSE worked with other business organisations to demonstrate a credible
business voice supporting an international framework for action, specifically calling on
world leaders in Johannesburg to:
support a global target for renewable energy; and

keep the focus on new renewable technologies to build market confidence.
This was supported by the Business Council organisations, and UKBCSE companies in
Johannesburg such as Shell and BP. Other organisations such as the Brazilian Business
Council for Sustainable Development and the Canadian Environmental Industries
Association also supported the call for a global renewable energy target.
For further information visit www.bcse.org.uk
Resource efficiency
3.25
At the heart of achieving a sustainable economy is resource efficiency; it is what the Strategy
calls a key to change. Often it is the environmental impacts of resource use which are of
most concern. Fossil fuel use is already causing climate change; we are producing volumes of
waste which can be expansive and increasingly difficult to dispose of and generating more
traffic than roads and many communities can cope with.This was the subject of a research
project commissioned by DETR/Defra from the Wuppertal Institute6 in collaboration with
the Office for National Statistics. Amongst other things the study showed that:
economic growth in the UK is becoming de-coupled from the total use of materials
(Total Material Requirement7) [see figure below];
resource use per capita in the UK has remained fairly stable over the past three decades,
despite a steady increase in the output of the UK economy; and
UK resource productivity is within the top five of the European Union.
The full report of the study, Total Material Resource Flows of the United Kingdom is available on
request from Defra, by contacting: enviro.statistics@defra.gsi.gov.uk
The Total Material Requirement (TMR) measures the total material basis of the economy.That is to
say the total primary resource requirements of all the production and consumption activities. It
includes not only the direct use of resources for producing exports, but also indirect flows associated
with domestic extraction and the production of goods imported into the UK from other countries.
Although TMR is widely favoured as a resource use indicator, the estimates of indirect flows are less
reliable than those for materials directly used by the economy, and the indicator therefore needs to
be considered alongside other indicators.
41
Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Population,Total Material Requirement

(TMR), and Direct Material Input (DMI) in the UK 1970 to 2000
250
United Kingdom
Index (1970 = 100)
200
150
100
50
0
1970
1975
Gross Domestic
Product
1980
Total Material
Requirement
1985
1990
Direct Material
Input
1995
2000
Population
Source: Defra/Wuppertal Institute
3.26
The development of such an overarching measure anticipated one of the recommendations

of the Performance and Innovation Unit (PIU, now Strategy Unit) report on resource
productivity Making more with less8. In this connection the PIU report also included
recommendations for developing simple proxy measures to track progress on resource
productivity, considering the use of long term indicative targets, and reflecting resource
productivity and other aspects of sustainable development in Government procurement.
3.27
As work on developing a strategy for sustainable consumption and production incorporating

resource productivity proceeds, it needs to take account of other parallel workstreams.These
include the recently published Strategy Unit report on waste, the work of the Sustainable
Procurement Group and the Energy White Paper.
3.28
While the UK has been making progress in decoupling growth from resource use much
remains to be done.
3.29
Every year, industry and commerce in the UK produces more than 70 million tonnes of
waste, equivalent to over 1 billion in disposal costs alone and up to 20 billion every year
through the inefficient use of resources.
3.30
To encourage action by individual businesses Government funds the Envirowise, resource

efficiency best practice programme.This aims to help UK businesses become more resource
efficient, by offering free, independent advice on ways to reduce costs, convert more turnover
to profit and improve environmental performance.
42
Resource Productivity: making more with less, November 2001,

Cabinet Office www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/innovation/2001/resource/report
Headline Indicators
3.31
In 2001, the programme helped UK business to make resource efficiency savings of over
217 million and reduce solid waste by 1.6 million tonnes. Information about these services
and of the many guides and case studies can be accessed via the Envirowise website or from
the freephone helpline (0800 585794). For further information visit www.envirowise.gov.uk
Corporate Social Responsibility

We cant afford to see economic success as being necessarily in conflict with social and
environmental goals, and we dont need to see those things as being in conflict either. We have
learnt that creating a fairer society and a dynamic economy go together. And that caring for the
environment can create jobs.
Minister for e-Commerce and Competitiveness, Stephen Timms, October 2002
3.32
The Government has an ambitious vision for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): to see
private and public organisations in the UK take account of their economic, social and
environmental impact, and take complementary action to address key challenges based on
their core competences locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
3.33
In May 2002, the Government published its second Corporate Social Responsibility report
Business and Society. It sets out what the Government has been doing to promote CSR and
highlights examples of initiatives at national and international level. For further information
visit www.societyandbusiness.gov.uk/2002/report
Environmental reporting by business/corporate disclosure

3.34
In October 2000, the Prime Minister challenged the top 350 UK companies to produce
environmental reports by the end of 2001. Environmental reporting involves the publication
in a companys annual report and/or self-standing reports of general environmental policy
statements, usually including details of environmental performance such as greenhouse gas
emissions, waste, water use and other relevant impacts giving quantified data and
improvement targets.
3.35
Defra reported back to the Prime Minister in July 2002 and estimated that 99 companies in
the FTSE 350 have met the Prime Ministers challenge by reporting on their environmental
policies and publishing some environmental performance data. A further 144 have taken the
first steps although they are not as yet publishing a full environmental report.
3.36
The Government is continuing to encourage business to measure, manage and report on its
environmental performance, including through the White Paper on Modernising Company
Law published in July.The proposals would make it a requirement for larger businesses to
report on a range of non-financial issues where the directors judge them to be material to an
understanding of the business.The White Paper stressed that company directors need to
consider the companys impact on the environment as first among equals.
3.37
The Government is appointing an independent group of experts to provide guidance on how

directors can assess whether an item is material to their company and hence must be
included in their report.The Group will aim to produce guidance by autumn 2003.
43
Sectoral strategies
3.38
Much can be achieved by concerted action by business sectors.Through the Pioneers

Group, Defra and the DTI have been encouraging some 20 trade associations or sector
bodies to develop sectoral sustainability strategies.These provide a practical framework for
identifying key issues facing their industry and priorities for action.To date six sectors have
published strategies: motor manufacturing; oil and gas; retail; civil engineering; brick
manufacturing and steel construction.The chemical industry is building on its existing
Responsible Care programme, while others, the Non-Ferrous Alliance and Water UK, have
focused on developing environmental/sustainability indicators.
3.39
The Pioneers Group have developed best practice toolkits for producing a strategy and
reporting on progress, whilst the Sustainable Development Commission have published a selfassessment guide to assess draft strategies. All of these documents can be downloaded from
the DTI website. For further information visit www.dti.gov.uk/sustainability
Food and Drink Federation Sustainable Development Report
On 15 August 2002, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) published its Sustainable
Development Report, in effect an industry blueprint to help companies develop more
sustainable policies.This was prepared following extensive consultation with a wide
range of stakeholders. It has been sent to over 160 individuals and is available on the
FDF website.
The Report reviews progress by the industry in tackling sustainable development since
Rio 1992, set against the Governments four sustainable development objectives and
identifies some of the remaining challenges and future goals for the industry.
Most importantly, the Report sets out FDFs Sustainable Development Guiding
Principles together with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to enable companies to
measure and report on their performance and practical steps that companies can take
to improve their performance. FDF is encouraging its members to implement the KPIs
and hopes that widespread adoption will enable the sector to measure and report on
progress made towards sustainable development.
FDF is also initiating dialogue with other parts of the food supply chain, principally the
British Retail Consortium and the National Farmers Union, on the need to develop
common initiatives to increase sustainability of the food supply chain and to measure
progress.
For further information visit www.fdf.org.uk
44
Headline Indicators
H2 Investment
Objective:
Investment (in modern plant and machinery as well as research and

development) is vital to our future prosperity.
Investment as a percentage of GDP

United Kingdom
20
18
16
Total investment
(constant prices)
Percentage of GDP
14
12
10
8
6
Social investment
(current prices)
4
2
0
1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000
Source: Office for National Statistics
Change since Total investment at constant prices as a percentage of GDP fell from
1990:
18.1 per cent in 1990 to 17.2 per cent in 1997, but was
18.0 per cent in 2001. [data: UK, 1990-2001]
Change since Total investment at constant prices as a percentage of GDP was
the Strategy: 18.0 per cent in 2001, down slightly from 18.9 per cent in 1998.
[data: UK, 1998-2001]
The latest data for social investment is for 1998 when it was estimated to
be around two per cent of GDP.
3.40
The slowdown in the global economy during 2001 clearly had a marked impact on UK
business investment and, amidst heightened global uncertainties, business investment has
weakened further in 2002. Business investment has now declined for seven consecutive
quarters, with the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) industrial trends survey indicating
that uncertainty about demand has remained the key factor holding back investment.
3.41
While significant global downside risks remain, investment growth is forecast to pick up from
next year. Strengthening global demand, reduced uncertainty and improvements in corporate
finances are expected to encourage firms to replace existing assets, bring deferred capital
spending back on stream and begin expanding capacity again. Government investment is
forecast to show further strong expansion in 2003, providing support for whole economy
investment, as the Governments spending plans continue to deliver sustained spending
increases on priority public services.
45
3.42
Investment is vital to our future prosperity, but in the past the UK has invested too little in
our future, and our competitiveness has suffered.
3.43
The latest data show that total investment has increased in real terms by almost 3 per cent
since 1998, but GDP has increased by over 7.5 per cent, so that total investment as a
proportion of GDP has fallen.
3.44
As was proposed in the 2001 annual report, the way total investment is reported has been
changed from current to constant prices. In recent years, Information Technology (IT) and
related goods and services have become increasingly important to investment. However, the
cost of IT has fallen sharply, so measuring investment in relation to GDP on a constant rather
than current price basis better reflects the volume of investment taking place. Social
investment is only available at current prices, and includes public and private (including Private
Finance Initiatives (PFIs)) investment in social assets such as railways, hospitals, schools and
investment in water and sewerage services.
Joint FCO-DTI: Maintain the UK as the prime location in the EU for foreign direct
investment.
Financing the Future The London Principles of Sustainable Finance

The City of London is home to an immense concentration of environmental
expertise.The insurance industry were conducting research on the possible effects of
the Greenhouse Effect a decade before the term became common currency, and
investment bankers have long been assessing the environmental risk associated with
capital.
The Corporation of London, the body that provides the local authority function for
the City of London, believes sustainable development presents a range of business
opportunities to the City. In conjunction with Defra, the Corporation developed the
UKs financial services submission to WSSD. In response, the London Principles Project
was developed, which from the start generated a great deal of interest in the finance
industry both at home and abroad.
The London Principles were given high level exposure at several events at WSSD,
including a dedicated round table on finance, and specific coverage by the Prime
Ministers in his post-plenary speech.The Project benefited from the fact that it was
the only major financial initiative to have a presence at the Summit.
As a result of this project, and the exposure afforded by WSSD, the Citys lead in this
market area has been firmly established on the international stage. Future action will
include discussions with other major financial centres, particularly New York, and the
development of the relationship with the United Nations Environment Programme.
For further information visit
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/living_environment/sustainability/sustainable_development.htm
46
Headline Indicators
H3 Employment
Objective:
Maintain high and stable levels of employment so everyone can share

greater job opportunities.
Percentage of people of working age who are in work*

100
90
80
United Kingdom
Men
All
70
Women
Per cent
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002
Source: DWP, ONS Labour Force Survey
*Percentage in May-July quarter each year
Change since The percentage of working age people in work was 74.6 per cent
1990:
in 2002 compared with 74.7 per cent in 1990.
[data: UK, 1990-2002]
Change since The percentage of working age people in work was 74.6 per cent
the Strategy: in 2002, unchanged since 2001 and up from 74.0 per cent in 1999.
[data: UK, 1999-2002]
3.45
The number of people in work and the employment rate have both risen significantly in the
long economic upswing since 1993, with the employment rate recently being one of the
highest on record.There have also been a number of structural reforms over this period that
aim to improve the functioning of the labour market and reduce the equilibrium level of
unemployment.The employment rate is now at about the same level as it was in 1990, at the
peak of the previous economic cycle.
3.46
The latest figures show that Labour Force Survey (LFS) employment stands at a near record
level of 27.8 million (September-November 2002).We have the lowest International Labour
Organisation unemployment rate of any of the G7 major industrialised countries and claimant
unemployment is now 3.1 per cent (December 2002), which is around the lowest level
since 1975.
3.47
The Governments key labour market objective is to achieve high and stable levels of
employment so everyone can share in growing living standards and greater job opportunities.
The highly successful New Deals scheme provides people with individually tailored help to
moving into work, and Jobcentre Plus is now up and running.The Government has
introduced the Working FamiliesTax Credit and the National Minimum Wage to make sure
that work pays. For further information visit www.dwp.gov.uk
47
Related Public Service Agreement targets

Joint DWP-HMT: Demonstrate progress by Spring 2006 on increasing the employment rate
and reducing the unemployment rate over the economic cycle.
DWP: Over the three years to Spring 2006, increase the employment rates of disadvantaged
areas and groups, taking account of the economic cycle lone parents, ethnic minorities,
people aged 50 and over, those with the lowest qualifications, and the 30 local authority
districts with the poorest initial labour market position and significantly reduce the difference
between their employment rates and the overall rate.
The South Acton Skills and Arts Collaborative

The South Acton Skills and Arts Collaborative (SASAC) aims to give local people
often women and their families new to this country the skills and confidence
necessary to improve their employment and educational prospects and to develop
their ability to enhance the lives of their families. Based in a community room on the
South Acton Estate and run by Sydoney Massop, SASAC does this in an ever-increasing
number of innovative and practical ways.
Due to the successes of SASAC the idea has spread and new groups are starting
up. Participation between groups helps to build up a support network, crucial for
the sustainability of the project and for students to gain and build on the skills
they need.
The physical environment of the estate has been improved by the project.
Stairwells and the lobby have been cleaned and painted.
To achieve genuine sustainability, SASAC needs to become a social enterprise
where people can make a living from it.This is the next aim for SASAC and for
other groups that will emerge from it.
For further information visit www.london21.org
Public Attitudes Survey

Peoples attitudes to economic issues9
48
Health, education and crime were more frequently mentioned as an issue for
government than the economy.
Money was regarded as the most likely issue to affect quality of life.
Investment was regarded as less important than all but one of the headline issues,
although nine out of ten respondents regarded it as being at least fairly important.
People also regarded their jobs as an important factor in their quality of life.
Employment/jobs was regarded as a very important headline issue by four out of
five people.
Survey of public attitudes to quality of life and to the environment 2001, Defra 2002.
Headline Indicators
Social indicators
Prosperity must be shared more widely and fairly: some parts of the country and some
groups are falling too far behind.
Our towns and countryside contribute significantly to our quality of life.We need to make our
towns and cities better places to live and work, and to retain the special characteristics of our
landscape which we most value.
3.48
The following section looks at the progress by the end of 2002 as shown by the five social
headline indicators: Poverty and social exclusion (H4), Education (H5), Health (H6), Housing
(conditions) (H6), and Crime (H8). It features related policy examples and case-studies from
a range of stakeholders showing the importance of action at all levels and the need for a
joined up approach to achieving sustainable development.
49
H4 Poverty and social exclusion

Objective:
Tackle poverty and social exclusion.
Selected indicators of poverty and social exclusion for working age people,
children and the elderly
90
Great Britain
Single elderly households experiencing fuel poverty*
(before housing benefit and income support
for mortgage interest)
80
Per cent of relevant population
70
60
50
2002 PSA Target: Reduce

the number of children in
low income households by
at least a quarter by 2004
(Base year 1998)
Children living in households with relative low

incomes (after housing costs)
40
30
Working age people with no qualifications

20
10
Working age people in workless households
0
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
Source: DWP Opportunity for All, Defra/DTI (fuel poverty)
2004
2005
*England
Change since The overall assessment since 1990 of the selected poverty and
1990:
social exclusion indicators is that there has been no significant
change. However, there has been more recent progress from the
levels seen in the 1990s.
the proportion of working-age people who live in households

where no-one works has fallen from a peak of 14.1 per cent
in the mid 1990s to 11.7 per cent in 2000 and since then has
remained broadly constant.
There has been steady progress in the proportion of working-age
people without a qualification, which has fallen from 26.4 per cent
in 1993 to 15.4 per cent in 2002.
The proportion of single elderly households experiencing fuel
poverty fell from 77 per cent in 1991 to 50 per cent in 1998.
The proportion of children living in households with relative
low-incomes fell between 1996/7 and 2000/1, from 34 per cent
to 31 per cent.
[Working age people in workless households: GB, 1990-2002]

[Working age people with no qualifications: GB, 1993-2002]
[Single elderly households experiencing fuel poverty10: Eng, 1991, 1996, 1998]
[Children living in low-income households: GB, 1994/5-2000/1]
10
50
Before housing benefit and income support for mortgage interest.
Headline Indicators
Change since The overall assessment of the selected poverty and social
the Strategy11: exclusion indicators is that there have been significant
improvements in recent years.
The percentage of working age people in workless households

fell from 12.8 per cent in 1998 to 11.8 per cent in 2002.
The percentage of working age people with no qualifications
fell from 16.7 per cent in 1999 to 15.4 per cent in 2002.
The proportion of single elderly households experiencing fuel
poverty tell from 61 per cent in 1996 to 50 per cent in 1998.
The percentage of children living in relative low-income
households fell from 34 per cent in 1996/7 to 31 per cent
in 2000/1.
[Working age people in workless households: GB, 1998-2002]

[Working age people with no qualifications: GB, 1999-2002]
[Single elderly households experiencing fuel poverty12: Eng, 1996, 1998]
[Children living in low-income households: GB, 1996/7-2000/1]
Joint: DWPHMT: Reduce the number of children in low-income households by at least a
quarter by 2004, as a contribution towards the broader target of halving child poverty by 2010
and eradicating it by 2020.
DWP: Reduce the proportion of children in households with no one in work over the 3 years
from Spring 2003 to Spring 2006 by 6.5 per cent.
ODPM: Promote better policy integration nationally, regionally and locally; in particular to
work with departments to help them meet their PSA floor targets for neighbourhood renewal
and social exclusion.

DfES: Improve the basic skill levels of 1.5 million adults between the launch of Skills for Life
in 2001 and 2007, with a milestone of 750,000 by 2004.
Defra: Reduce fuel poverty among vulnerable households by improving the energy efficiency of
600,000 homes between 2001 and 2004.
3.49
The fourth DWP Opportunity for all report sets out the main elements of the Governments
strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion. A comprehensive list of indicators is used to
monitor progress against this strategy.The key policies highlighted in the report aim at:
making work possible, making work pay and making work skilled;
ensuring financial support for those unable to work;
investing in services for children to break cycles of deprivation; and
tackling inequalities by improving public services, particularly in deprived areas.
11
These indicators were introduced in Quality of life counts.
12
Before housing benefit and income support for mortgage interest.

51
We are making progress. Employment is at record levels We are making good

progress towards our target to reduce by a quarter, by 2004, the number of
children in low-income households we are a third of the way there after a
third of the time. We know that we have a lot more to do.Tackling the root
causes of poverty takes time as well as sustained commitment and investment.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Andrew Smith, September 2002
3.50
These indicators monitor progress in key parts of the strategy for children and working age
adults.There are now 1.5 million more people in employment than in 1997 and around
250,000 fewer children in workless households. Due to changes in tax and benefits introduced
in the last Parliament since October 2001 all families with children are better off in real terms
by, on average, 1,200 a year compared with 1997. In Opportunity for All and Households Below
Average Income, the number of Children in households with relative low incomes is monitored
both before and after housing costs, using a range of low-income thresholds. Here, the 60 per
cent of contemporary median income threshold is used.The figures after housing costs are
presented above. Before housing costs, 21 per cent of children were living in households with
relative low incomes in 2000/1, down from 26 per cent in 1996/97.
3.51
A key part of the Governments strategy to prevent poverty and social exclusion is to
encourage lifelong learning, so that people can acquire the skills to help them find a job or
broaden their career opportunities.The Government is determined to continue its fight against
poverty and it will introduce new measures including a child tax credit and a working tax credit
in 2003, helping those who are in low paid work. For further information visit www.dwp.gov.uk
Faith in the Future
This project, receiving funding from the Special Grants Programme of the Office of the
Deputy Prime Minister Urban Policy Unit, utilises faith community resources for
developing social inclusion. It is responding practically to the Policy Action Team 7
(PAT 7) recommendation in the Report on Unpopular Housing that regeneration
models involving faith communities be piloted in some areas as an alternative strategy. It will
also show that housing associations can help to implement neighbourhood renewal
strategies while facilitating community participation in service delivery.
On one London estate with high unemployment, poor spoken English and low levels
of community participation, the project is providing English for speakers of other
languages (ESOL), football training for children keeping them off the streets after
school and classes enhancing educational attainment.
Similar work continues at other London estates and locations, including IT classes for
youngsters lacking home IT access, and a play scheme for 8-14 year olds from different
backgrounds who otherwise would never have played together.Youth workshops are
countering crime, drugs and gang culture. All three project areas participated in a
youth seminar on these issues, and the Faith in the Future project officer conducts
outreach work while establishing local contacts.
Further work with the Housing Corporation will focus on Registered Social Landlord
(RSL) training and empowering local people and communities. Local people should
soon be running such schemes independently.
For further information visit www.urban.odpm.gov.uk/community/sgp/index.htm
52
Headline Indicators
Social exclusion, accessibility and transport

3.52
The Social Exclusion Unit has been undertaking a major project examining the links between
social exclusion, transport and the accessibility of services and activities, such as work,
learning, healthcare and food shopping.The study emphasises that improvements in
accessibility can be both through changes in the planning and delivery of local transport and
changes in the location and delivery of non-transport services.
3.53
The study has identified the need for a more systematic process for identifying disadvantaged
groups or areas with poor access to key services. It also emphasises the importance of local
authorities and other local service providers and agencies working together more effectively
to develop a strategy for tackling these accessibility problems. Recommendations arising from
the project will impact on a number of key departments (e.g. Departments for Transport,
Education & Skills, Health, and Work & Pensions).
Neighbourhood renewal
3.54
The National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal (2001) set out the Governments
commitment to improving public service outcomes in the most deprived areas of the
country, and narrowing the gap between these areas and the rest so that no-one be
disadvantaged by where they live.To drive delivery of improved outcomes in deprived areas,
Government departments were set a number of floor (minimum standard) targets covering
health, education, crime reduction, housing and employment.The Neighbourhood Renewal
Unit leads on co-ordinating the implementation of the National Strategy across Government.
3.55
Spending Review 2002 saw the suite of floor targets rolled forward and strengthened and
significant additional resources made available to improve public service delivery over the
three years to 2006. For further information on the Governments approach to
neighbourhood renewal visit www.neighbourhood.gov.uk
Urban Summit
3.56
The Urban Summit 2002, which took place on the 31 October and 1 November 2002,
discussed progress with urban renaissance since publication of the Governments White Paper
Our Towns and Cities; the Future in November 2000. Hosted by the Deputy Prime Minister,
the Summit provided delegates from a wide range of sectors professionals, private sector,
local national and regional government, academics, media, and community and voluntary
groups with the opportunity to share experiences of urban regeneration, discuss what
works and what does not, and outline priorities for the future.
3.57
In the themed session on social exclusion, participants were given four different perspectives
on social exclusion from grass roots experiences to policy making at national level.The
perspectives formed the basis of a broader discussion, with participants invited to think
about:
ways to refocus services on preventative action;
practical steps to help partners to effectively deliver joined-up services;
designing and delivering services that meet the needs of the hardest to reach groups;
53
striking a balance between rights and responsibilities for socially excluded people; and
delivering minimum standards in public services and more for those who need it most.
For further information visit www.socialexclusionunit.gov.uk
Fuel poverty
54
3.58
Between 1996 and 2000, it is estimated that about one million households in the UK were
removed from fuel poverty (a fuel poor household is one that cannot afford to keep
adequately warm at reasonable cost).This is as a result of improved incomes, lower energy
prices and better housing. Provisional analyses indicate that the number of fuel poor
households in England may have fallen by a further half a million as a result of income polices
in the period 2000-2002.
3.59
Fuel poverty can be assessed on two bases before or after housing benefit and income
support for mortgage interest (ISMI).The indicator in the chart represents single elderly
households experiencing fuel poverty before housing benefit and ISMI. After these are taken
into account, 52 per cent were experiencing fuel poverty in 1996, falling to 40 per cent
in 1998.
3.60
The Governments UK Fuel Poverty Strategy was published in November 2001. It sets out
measures to ensure that no vulnerable household will be in fuel poverty by 2010.
3.61
Progress in tackling vulnerable households continues through a number of different routes:
in England the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme, now marketed as Warm Front Team,
provides measures to improve the comfort of homes and the quality of life for
vulnerable households in the private sector. Since its inception in June 2000 the scheme
has assisted over 400,000 vulnerable households. Similar schemes exist in each of the
devolved administrations;
households in the social sector will be assisted primarily through work to bring all social
housing up to a decent standard by 2010;
five pathfinder Warm Zones have been established across England. Warm Zones is a
major Government-sponsored initiative to systematically address fuel poverty on a local
area basis.The aim is to substantially deal with fuel poverty in a locality within 3 years,
using a range of approaches aimed at proactively identifying and helping fuel poor
households within the area;
in line with a commitment made in the UK Fuel Poverty Strategy a scoping study is now
underway to assess the potential use of alternative technologies in combating fuel
poverty in England; and
the Fuel Poverty Advisory Group (FPAG) was set up following the publication of the UK
Fuel Poverty Strategy to advise the Government about delivery of its target of
eradicating fuel poverty. FPAG is an Advisory Non-Departmental Public Body jointly
sponsored by Defra and DTI. It has a range of representatives from bodies in the energy
sector, local government, the health sector and Non-Governmental Organisations. Its
primary task is to report on the progress of delivery of the Governments Fuel Poverty
Strategy and to propose and implement improvements to regional or local mechanisms
for its delivery.
For further information visit www.dti.gov.uk/energy/consumers/fuel_poverty/
Headline Indicators
Sunderland Fuel Poverty Strategy

Sunderlands Strategy has arisen from the Healthy City Initiative which works to
deliver the Health Improvement and Modernisation Plan.This identified that Fuel
Poverty action could lead to reducing local health inequalities. Consequently a Forum
was established to develop an Affordable Warmth Strategy in 2002, its membership
being drawn from public, private and voluntary sector organisations, including utilities.
The Strategy is designed to eliminate Fuel Poverty across Sunderland and aims to
connect with the most vulnerable groups affected whilst deliberately allowing for
duplication and overlapping as some of those defined as vulnerable fall into more than
one category.
Key aims include:
To reduce the numbers of families with young children (under 16) in Fuel Poverty
families with children account for 17 per cent of Fuel Poor households cold
homes can also affect educational attainment and access to employment; and
To assist GAP households and the Fuel Rich The GAP programme is designed to
assist those who are in Fuel Poverty but are not eligible for assistance.This group
are often overlooked but may benefit from advice and assistance.
Other key aims include the reduction of the number of people suffering in the private
rented and social housing sectors, and people suffering from health related illness and
disabilities.There is also an emphasis on black and ethnic minority groups including
asylum seekers.
The Strategy is successful in attracting funding and resources, eg. New Deal for
Communities, particularly where area programmes are developed and guided by
community led steering groups, a Citizens Panel and the Citys Sustainable
Development Strategy.
For further information visit www.sunderland.gov.uk
55
H5 Education
Objective:
Equip people with the skills to fulfil their potential.
Percentage of 19 year olds in the UK with level two qualifications

eg: five GCSEs or above at grades A* to C
100
United Kingdom
90
80
70
Per cent
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1984
1986
Source: DfES
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
Spring quarter each year
Change since The percentage of 19 year olds with level 2 qualifications (e.g. five
1990:
GCSEs at grades C or above, NVQ level 2 or equivalent) was
75.6 per cent in 2002 compared with 52 per cent in 1990.
[data: UK, 1990-2002]
Change since The percentage of 19 year olds that have level 2 qualifications has
the Strategy: remained relatively unchanged from 74.5 per cent in 1999 to
75.6 per cent in 2002, having fallen slightly from a peak of 75.9
in 2001. [data: UK, 1999-2002]
3.62
A substantial proportion of young people are not achieving the level 2 equivalent through
school and a minority (5.4 per cent) are achieving no qualifications at all.There is no overall
UK target for this indicator and, therefore, future projections cannot be shown on the chart.
The following targets have been set for the proportion of 19 year olds achieving a level
2 qualification:
England: increase the proportion of 19 year olds attaining a level 2 qualification at the
end of 2002 by three percentage points by the end of 2004, and by a further three
percentage points from 2004 to 2006;
Wales: one in five 19 year olds without a level 2 qualification by the end of 2002;
Scotland: there is no equivalent target in Scotland; and
Northern Ireland: target not currently available.
For further information visit www.dfes.gov.uk

56
2002
Headline Indicators

DfES: Raise standards in schools and colleges so that the proportion of 19 year olds who
achieve qualifications equivalent to 5 GCSEs at grades A* to C rises by 3 percentage points
between 2002 and 2004, with a further increase of 3 percentage points by 2006.
DH: Improve life chances for children by improving the level of education, training and
employment outcomes for care leavers aged 19, so that levels for this group are at least 75 per
cent of those achieved by all young people in the same area, and at least 15 per cent of
children in care attain five good GCSEs by 2004.
Flying Start Initiative

Lutons Flying Start initiative was introduced in 2000 to tackle under-achievement in
young children, especially those from the local Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities.
It is led by Lutons Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership working with
Luton Council, and implemented through a Borough wide group which also includes
head teachers, early years staff from schools and pre-schools, community
representatives, family workers and health visitors.
Flying Start delivers full time education for all four year olds in the area; part-time
education for all 3 year olds where there is seen to be insufficient provision in the
area; a family worker in each school to support families; and wider community use of
school premises for activities like family and adult learning and out of school childcare.
The initiative is being delivered on a four to five year cycle, concentrating initially on
neighbourhoods with the greatest social need. In the first eight Flying Start areas, 292
new part time education places were created for 3 year olds and 26 people from
minority ethnic backgrounds were appointed to new posts in pre-schools or as family
workers.
Pending the results of some external research now up and running, there is strong
anecdotal evidence of the many and wide ranging benefits of Flying Start.These
include: redressing inequalities in early education provision; allowing schools to play a
key role in community regeneration; facilitating family learning in child development
and behaviour; encouraging families to be closely involved with their childrens
education; and providing increased adult education opportunities leading to further
training and employment.
For further information visit www.luton.gov.uk/learning/schools/
57
Learning and Skills

Learning and Skills covers key providers such as further education and sixth form
colleges, schools with sixth forms, local authority and adult education institutions and
private and voluntary sector providers.The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) is
responsible for funding and planning education and training for those over 16 years
old, excluding higher education, in England. Its mission is to raise participation and
attainment through high-quality education and training which puts learners first. Listed
below are two examples of the type of projects carried out by LSC.
Tyne & Wear Learning and Skills Council
Tyne and Wear LSC held a provider event in April 2002 on improving retention and
achievement.The event brought together work based learning providers, colleges,
schools with sixth forms, employers, Connexions, Learning Partnerships and Education
Business Partnerships. Ninety-one per cent of participants rated the event as excellent.
The event covered issues on approaches to student support, creative collaboration
between providers, how e-learning could improve retention and achievement and
particular strategies for work based learning.Workshops were held on: tools available
to providers, curriculum design and teaching, recruitment and induction, addressing the
needs of the disadvantaged and Sunderland Colleges experiences of a pilot
programme for student mentors.
Cumbria Learning and Skills Council
Cumbria Learning and Skills Council is currently funding a participation strategy for
the land-based industries (value of 300,000 through European Social Fund (ESF)
co-financing).The project is varied and will make a significant impact on the sector,
particularly in the wake of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD).
The project builds on 500 skills check analyses that have already been carried out, by
providing learning/re-training and diversification skills to individuals employed in the
sector. It is anticipated that 500 individuals will gain qualifications at level 2 and 3 in
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and business management, as well
as sector specific training in coppicing, driving, instructional techniques and first aid.
The project will also provide a kick start towards a Workforce Development Strategy
for the sector in Cumbria.
During the summer break in 2001 and 2002, Cumbria Learning and Skills Council
funded a summer programme for young people covering a range of different short
courses (value of 100,000 p/a through ESF).The benefits of this have been
significant. Each year, some 700 learners have taken part in post-compulsory provision
and many have subsequently decided to remain/re-enter learning. Of particular note in
2001, is that young people had the opportunity to undertaking learning and gain skills
when there were still many restricted areas due to FMD.
For further information visit www.lsc.gov.uk
58
Headline Indicators
H6 Health
Objective:
Improve health of the population overall.
Life expectancy and expectancy of years spent in good or fairly good

general health
Great Britain
85
Males
Females
80
Life expectancy
Years
75
Life expectancy
70
Healthy life expectancy
65
Healthy life expectancy
60
55
50
1981
1985
1990
1995
1999
1981
1985
1990
1995
1999
Source: ONS, Government Actuarys Department
3.63
Change since Between 1990 and 1999 healthy life expectancy increased only
1990:
slightly, from 66.1 to 66.6 years for men and from 68.3 to 68.9
years for women. [data: GB, 1990, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999]
Change since Between 1995 and 1999 healthy life expectancy increased only
the Strategy: slightly from 66.4 years to 66.6 for men and from 68.7 years to
68.9 for women. [data: GB, 1997, 1999]
Between 1981 and 1999 average life expectancy in Great Britain increased from 70.9 to 75.1
years for men (by 4.2 years) and from 76.8 to 80.0 years for women (by 3.2 years). Over the
same period healthy life expectancy increased from 64.4 to 66.6 years for men (by 2.2 years)
and from 66.7 to 68.9 for women (by 2.2 years). So whilst overall life expectancy has
increased, this is in part owing to an increased life expectancy whilst in poorer health.
DH: Reduce substantially the mortality rates from major killers by 2010: from heart disease
by at least 40 per cent in people under 75; from cancer by at least 20 per cent in people
under 75.
Joint Defra DfT: Improve air quality by meeting the Air Quality Strategy targets for carbon
monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, particles, sulphur dioxide, benzene and 1-3 butadiene.
59
3.64
Tackling Health Inequalities The Results of the Consultation Exercise was published in June
2002 by the Department of Health and identified a number of key themes that need to be
addressed in tackling health inequalities.These included:
the need for strong government leadership and more co-ordination of policies and
policy mechanisms;
the need to look beyond the NHS to the wider determinants of health inequalities;
the crucial importance of effective partnerships at all levels; and
the potentially pivotal role of Primary Care Trusts in drawing the NHS into the health
inequalities agenda.
3.65
This consultation also contributed to the cross-cutting spending review (CCSR) on health
inequalities undertaken as part of the 2002 Spending Review.The consultation and the CCSR
will provide the basis for the Governments delivery plan on health inequalities due to be
published in 2003.
3.66
There is a significant body of work already underway which is tackling health inequalities on
the ground.This work is helping to influence both the health objective as well as Headline
Indicators relating to Poverty and social exclusion (H4), Employment (H3) and Housing
(conditions) (H7). For further information visit www.doh.gov.uk
Ladywood Healthy Living Centre
The Ladywood Healthy Living Centre Partnership was awarded over 900,000 by the
New Opportunities Fund during the summer of 2002 to develop its Bridging the Gap
project. ENCAMS (Environmental Campaigns) Sustainable Communities Programme was
instrumental in developing the project which aims to bridge the gap between the
statutory and voluntary sector to reduce health inequalities in the Ladywood area
of Birmingham.
The project is engaging with the local community to promote healthy living and will
have a significant impact on local peoples basic health requirements by promoting
healthy food, encouraging physical activity and increasing safety. It has been developed
through extensive community consultation and is now managed by the Board of
Management (strategic and policy direction), Project Team (operational management)
and action groups (developing, appraising and delivering projects).
As part of the Food Action Plan,The Human City Institute will implement the
Neighbourhood Participation Project to engage targeted groups who have a poor diet
to develop healthier eating habits. A Community Caf Project has been set up by Sure
Start and Our Health and Employment Link (HEAL).This project links with the city
colleges to enable communities at risk of Coronary Heart Disease and other diseases
such as diabetes to address dietary needs and help people choose and prepare healthy
meals.This activity links with the establishment of a Food Co-operative which offers
the advantages of bulk buying.
60
Headline Indicators
The Physical Activity Plan has been led by ENCAMS and will target communities who
lead sedentary lifestyles and have been identified by GPs to take leisure activity.
Leisure buses and volunteer drivers will take communities to leisure centres and
short guided walks in and around Ladywood.The Safety Action Plan work will be
carried out with different sectors and agencies to address street safety issues such as
neighbourhood watch, racial harassment and self-defence as well as drugs and alcohol
abuse. Befriending and Practical Help will improve the home safety of the elderly and
parents who are isolated.
For further information visit www.encams.org
The Procter & Gamble (P&G) Osteoporosis European Tour

Health and Business
Awareness of osteoporosis, a debilitating bone disease that affects one in three
women worldwide, received a major boost in 2002 through the launch of the
OsteoTruck, sponsored by P&G Pharmaceuticals and the International Osteoporosis
Foundation. P&Gs Actonel team started an exciting project called The Osteoporosis
European Tour.The tour features the OsteoTruck, an impressive mobile diagnosis
centre providing on-the-spot ultrasound bone measurement testing, information, and
referrals to local specialists.
In addition, P&G Actonel have also spent time in helping with the implementation of
the National Service Framework (NSF) for Older people to help improve the lives of
senior citizens. P&G have undertaken extensive customer research to better
understand how the local NHS management is adapting to the new demands of this
key Government strategy.The results of this work were widely distributed throughout
the NHS and copied to the Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson. P&G have also
worked with experts in the field of falls and fractures to develop a Health
Improvement and Modernisation Plan (HIMP) to simplify the implementation of the
NSF for Older People.This initiative was supported by The Royal Society for the
Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and the British Geriatric Society (BGS).
For further information visit www.pg.com/sr
61
H7 Housing
Objective:
Improve the condition of housing stock.
Percentage of households living in non-decent housing

60
England
50
Per cent
40
All Stock
30
Private
Social
20
10
0
1996
2001
Source: ODPM English House Condition Survey
Change since Between 1991 and 1996 there was no significant change across a
1990:
broad range of condition measures. As housing conditions have
changed for the better since 1996 (see below), the overall
assessment is that there has been an improvement since 1990.
Change since Between 1996 and 2001 there was an improvement in the
the Strategy: condition of housing in England as assessed against the decent
home standard (in 1996, 46 per cent of dwellings were nondecent, compared with 33 per cent in 2001).This improvement
was seen in both the private and social sectors 52 per
cent of social housing was non-decent in 1996 compared with
38 per cent in 2001 and 32 per cent of private sector stock
was non-decent in 2001, falling from 45 per cent in 1996.
[data: Eng 1996 and 2001]
3.67
62
Although this indicator only covers the condition of houses, the Government is also
concerned about provision. In order to create and maintain sustainable, thriving communities,
we need a balance in the housing market, and housing pressures must be addressed.To that
end, the Government is taking action to increase overall housing supply where it is needed.
For example, it is working with regional and local partners to accelerate existing proposals for
growth in the four key priority areas of the Thames Gateway, Ashford, Milton Keynes and the
London-Stansted-Cambridge corridor. As many as 200,000 homes could be created in the
growth areas as a result of this process. In addition, it has significantly increased investment in
affordable housing through the Housing Corporations Approved Development Programme
spending has almost doubled to over 1.2bn in the three years to 2003/4. All headline
indicators are reviewed to ensure that they remain relevant to key priority areas, and the
coverage of this indicator will be considered accordingly.
Headline Indicators
3.68
Since the figures for 1996 were published in the last sustainable development report, we have
consulted upon and made refinements to the detailed definition of the decent home
standard. Prior to these refinements 47 per cent of the social sector, 40 per cent of the
private sector and 41 per cent of all housing was non-decent.The changes maintain the link
between the indicator and the PSA target.
ODPM: By 2010, bring all social housing into decent condition with most of this improvement
taking place in deprived areas, and increase the proportion of private housing in decent
condition occupied by vulnerable groups.
3.69
A decent home is one that meets all of the following criteria:
is above the current statutory minimum standard for housing;
is in a reasonable state of repair;
has reasonably modern facilities and services; and
provides a reasonable degree of thermal comfort.
3.70
In March 2002, the Homelessness Directorates report More than a Roof , was launched,
outlining the Governments plans to tackle homelessness.This includes a 35 million
programme to help local authorities ensure that by March 2004 no homeless family with
children is in a Bed and Breakfast hotel other than in an emergency, and even then for no
more than 6 weeks. Statistics show that at the end of June 2002 over 12,000 households
were living in Bed and Breakfast in England alone, of which around 6,500 were families with
children.
3.71
In addition, all local authorities will benefit from recent changes to Housing Benefit subsidy
levels, worth up to 10 million, which provide an incentive to lease private sector homes as a
better quality alternative to B&B hotels.
For further information visit www.homelessness.odpm.gov.uk
Too often, homeless people are housed in Bed and Breakfast hotels. They are
totally the wrong place to give children the right start in life. The environments
put pressure on families and are bad for childrens education and health. In the
twenty-first century this is completely unacceptable and we must help councils
find decent alternatives.
Former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions,
Alistair Darling, March 2002
63
EcoHomes Hastoe Housing Association

Holister Close consists of a mixed tenure scheme of 5 homes for rent and 12 homes
for shared ownership.The scheme was built by Hastoe Housing Association on land
owned by English Partnerships to provide affordable housing.The scheme forms
part of the Amphion Consortium, which has developed an off site manufacturing
process for timber framed housing in the UK.The consortium is a partnership
between 24 housing associations and Partnerships First. It is part of the Housing
Corporations Kick Start programme.
In accordance with Hastoe Housing Associations Environmental Policy, that of English
Partnerships, and targets set by the Housing Corporation the scheme also aimed to
reduce its environmental impact and energy costs in use.The scheme had to prove its
environmental credentials through EcoHomes, the BREs (Building Research
Establishment Ltd) environmental assessment for housing.This seeks to minimise the
adverse affects of new building on the environment, whilst promoting healthy indoor
conditions for the occupants.The environmental implications of the scheme were
independently assessed at the design stage.
This was Hastoe Housing Associations third scheme to achieve an environmental
rating using a BRE environmental assessment method.
The houses were constructed of timber cassettes.Whole walls were made and
insulated in the factory, transported to site and craned into position.The homes have a
mixture of brick and lightweight cladding. All windows are timber with a low emissivity
coating to reduce heat loss through the glazing. Materials achieved a high environmental
rating and the timber for construction was sourced from managed forests.
Energy efficient heating systems with low NOx condensing boilers, coupled with high
levels of insulation ensure the homes benefit from affordable warmth and low
pollution levels.The thermal performance of the buildings is 40 per cent better than
that required by Building Regulations.
To further reduce energy consumption advice is provided to residents on the
selection of Eco-labelled white goods and low energy lighting has been installed inside
and out.
Access to safe and easy pedestrian links to local shops, services and bus routes is
possible, providing the potential to reduce the dependence on the car. Provision for a
home office has also been designed in.
To assist householders in reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfill sites,
segregated boxes are provided for the storage of bottles, cans, paper, cardboard and
plastics.These materials are collected through a kerbside recycling scheme by the local
authority. Advice of the collection times will be given to the residents.
A full ecological assessment was carried out on site and steps were taken to enhance
the ecological value of the site through the development. As a result of this hedgehog
and bird boxes were introduced.
For further information visit www.hastoe.com
64
Headline Indicators
H8 Crime
Objective:
Reduce both crime and fear of crime.
Total number of crimes recorded by the police 19702001/2*

1,800,000
England and Wales
1,600,000
Theft of or from
vehicles
Number of crimes
1,400,000
2002 PSA Target:
Reduce vehicle crime
by 30% by 2004
(Base year 1998/9).
1,200,000
1,000,000
Burglary in
dwellings
800,000
2002 PSA Target: Reduce

burglary by 25% by 2005
(Base year 1998/9)
600,000
400,000
200,000
Robbery
0
1970
1974
1978
1982
1986
1990
1994
1997/8
2001/2
2006/7
Source: Home Office
*1970 to 1998/9 data are for the number of crimes recorded in that financial year using the coverage and rules in use until 31 March 1998.
After 1998/9 data are for the number of crimes recorded in that financial year using the expanded coverage and revised counting rules
that came into effect on 1 April 1998.
Change since Robbery

1990:
Between 1990 and 2001/2 the number of robberies recorded
by the police increased by 235 per cent from approximately
36,000 to 121,000. [data: Eng & Wales, 1990-2001/2]
Theft of, or from vehicles and domestic burglary
Between 1990 and 2001/2 recorded vehicle crime fell by
22 per cent, and burglary in dwellings fell by 19 per cent.
[data: Eng & Wales, 1990-2001/2]
Change since Robbery
the Strategy: Recorded robberies increased by 82 per cent from 68,000 in
1998/9 to 121,000 in 2001/2, increasing by 28 per cent in
2001/2. [data: Eng & Wales, 1998/9-2001/2]
Theft of, or from vehicles and domestic burglary
Recorded vehicle crime fell by 9 per cent overall between
1998/9 and 2001/2, however it increased by 1.5 per cent in
2001/2. Domestic burglary also fell by 9 per cent overall
between 1998/9 and 2001/2, but increased by 7 per cent in
2001/2, although about half of this rise is estimated to be as
a result of the National Crime Recording Standard.
[data: Eng & Wales, 1998/9-2001/2]
65
66
3.72
The use of total figures, rather than crimes per 100,000 population as previously used, is
consistent with recorded crime figures contained in the Home Office Statistical Bulletin 07/02:
Crime in England and Wales 2001/2002. Recorded crime figures are likely to have been
affected by changes to police recording practices. Figures for 2001/2 in particular have been
affected by the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS). Some police forces adopted the
principles of the standard prior to the national implementation in April 2002 and it is
estimated that this caused total recorded crime levels to be uplifted by 5 per cent in 2001/2.
3.73
The British Crime Survey, which measures peoples actual experiences of crime, can provide a
better reflection of crime as it includes crimes that are not reported to the police. Published
in July 2002, Crime in England and Wales 2001/2 is the first in a new annual publication that
combines the reporting of police recorded crime and British Crime Survey results.This will
ensure that the public has the most comprehensive picture of crime in England and Wales
available in a single volume and at the same time.
3.74
British Crime Survey data for all vehicle thefts showed a 32 per cent decrease between 1991
and 2001/2, from 3,825,000 to 2,597,000 and burglary fell by 28 per cent, from 1,373,000 to
991,000 in the same period.There has been a 14 per cent and 23 per cent fall respectively,
since 1999.
3.75
The 2000 British Crime Survey found that 19 per cent of people had high levels of worry
about burglary, 21 per cent about car crime, and 24 per cent about violent crime.Those
figures had fallen to 15 per cent, 18 per cent, and 22 per cent respectively in 2001/2.
3.76
Previously recorded violent crime per 100,000 of the population was included in the H8
Crime indicator. Police records show that recorded violent crime increased by 34 per cent
between 1998/9 and 2001/2. However the increase in recorded violent crime was not
reflected in findings from the British Crime Survey. For example, the 2001/2 British Crime
Survey estimated that the number of violent incidents had fallen by 17 per cent since 1999
and by 22 per cent since 1997.The reasons for the rise in recorded violent crime are
complex, but are likely to include changes in public attitudes towards reporting violent crime,
as well as changes in police reporting, both of which will have increased the number of
violent crimes being reported.
3.77
As a consequence, recorded violent crime may not be a reliable indicator of progress in

tackling violent crime, and by extension, assessing progress towards sustainable development.
Therefore, the H8 Crime Indicator now includes an indicator on recorded robberies, a subset
of violent crime, for which recording is more reliable. For further information visit
www.homeoffice.gov.uk
Headline Indicators

HO target contributing to Criminal Justice System PSA:
Reduce crime and the fear of crime; improve performance overall, including by reducing the
gap between the highest Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership areas and the best
comparable areas; and reduce:
vehicle crime by 30 per cent from 1998-99 to 2004;
domestic burglary by 25 per cent from 1998-99 to 2005; and
robbery in the ten Street Crime Initiative areas by 14 per cent from 1999-2000 to 2005;
and maintain that level.

Joint HO-CPS-LCD target contributing to Criminal Justice System PSA: Improve
the delivery of justice by increasing the number of crimes for which an offender is brought to
justice to 1.2 million by 2005-06.
HO: Protect the public and reduce re-offending by 5 per cent:
for young offenders;
for both adults sentenced to imprisonment and adults sentenced to community sentences;
and
maintain the current low rate of prisoner escapes, including Category A escapes.
contributing to Criminal Justice System PSA
DH: Improve life chances for children by narrowing the gap between the proportions of
children in care and their peers who are cautioned or convicted.
Street crime
3.78
The formation in April 2002 of the Street Crime Initiative is a clear demonstration of the
commitment across Government to tackle street crime. Its goals are to target and fast-track
all robbery offenders at every stage of the criminal justice process and ultimately reduce the
number of robberies in the ten police force areas with the worst robbery problem.
3.79
Achievements so far include:
3.80
specialist street crime courts in the ten areas to fast track street crime cases and provide
separate facilities and support to victims and witnesses;
strengthening the powers of the courts to deal with young people on bail by introducing
electronic tagging in the ten areas; and
work to ensure that street crime offenders with drug problems are fast tracked to drug
treatment services.
There are key roles not only for the police, Crown Prosecution Service, and the courts, but
for departments like Health, Education and Skills,Transport, Work and Pensions, Culture
Media and Sport, and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. On 14 October 2002, the
Home Secretary announced the results of the initiative.The figures show that, since the start
of the initiative, street crime has fallen by 16 per cent during April to September 2002. For
robbery, the more serious offence, the number of offences in September was 25 per cent
lower than in March for the ten forces as a whole.The figures also show that, when
compared to the same period last year, there has been a reduction in robbery of 10 per cent.
67
We cannot leave the fight against street crime to the police and criminal justice
system alone. We need to support them through extending the actions of every
Government Department to this vital task..We must target those both at risk of
offending and of victimisation though schools, employment opportunities, the
health service, the transport system and even sport. We are joining-up the whole
of Government to deal with the problem on our streets.
Home Secretary, David Blunkett, March 2002

Peoples attitudes to social issues13
Poverty and social inequalities was regarded as a very important headline quality of
life issue by 6 out of 10 people.
Three out of four people regarded their standard of living as being fairly or very
good.
Education has increased in perceived importance as an issue that the Government
should be dealing with.
However Education was not frequently mentioned as one of the factors most
affecting quality of life.
Health and social services was regarded as the most important issue for government.
Health was also regarded as the most important headline quality of life issue.
Housing was mentioned by just over 1 in 10 respondents as one of the issues most
affecting their quality of life.
Over half the respondents thought housing quality was a very important issue
amongst the Governments headline quality of life issues.
Concern about crime, as an important issue for government, has increased.
One in four people said crime affects their quality of life.
More than 8 out of 10 people regarded crime as a very important headline quality of
life issue.
Transport crime
3.81
The Government is committed to reducing crime and the fear of crime wherever it occurs in
the transport system, including in the pedestrian environment.
3.82
During 2002 the Department for Transport issued good practice guidance to bus operators
on improving personal security on buses for both passengers and staff.The Department
recently launched the Safer Travel on Buses and Coaches Panel.This group brings together
operators, unions, transport and local authorities and the police, as well as Department for
Transport, DfES and Home Office officials, to consider how best to tackle bus and coachrelated crime and to spread good practice throughout the industry.The Department also has
a joint project with the Strategic Rail Authority underway on ways to improve personal
security in train travel. Earlier in the year, the Department held a series of seminars aimed at
raising the profile of transport crime as an issue which Crime and Disorder Reduction
Partnerships need to address.
13
68
Headline Indicators
Environmental indicators
UK Priority Areas identified in the Strategy for Sustainable Development for the UK
That [economic] growth must be of a higher quality that in the past. It needs to be achieved
while reducing pollution and use of resources.
3.83
The following section looks at the progress made by the end of 2002 as shown by the seven
environmental headline indicators: Climate Change (H9), Air Quality (H10); Road Traffic
(H11); River Water Quality (H12); Wildlife (H13); Land Use (H14); and Waste (H15). It
features related policy examples and case-studies from a range of stakeholders showing the
importance of action at all levels and the need for a joined up approach to achieving
Caen Hill Lock Flight, Devizes
69
H9 Climate change
Objective:
Continue to reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases now, and plan for
greater reductions in the longer term.
Emissions of greenhouse gases

220
United Kingdom
Basket of greenhouse gases
Million tonnes (carbon equivalent)
200
Kyoto target for greenhouse

gases by 2008-2012
180
Basket, new projections

Basket projections plus impact of
Climate change programme
160
CO2, new projections
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

140
CO2 projections plus impact of
Climate Change programme
Domestic CO2 goal by 2010
120
100
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
2020
Source: National Environmental Technology Centre (NETCEN)/Defra/DTI
Change since Emissions of the basket of six greenhouse gases fell by 13 per
1990:
cent between 1990 and 2000. [data: UK, 1990-2000]
Change since Between 1997 and 2000, emissions of the basket of six
the Strategy: greenhouse gases fell by 5 per cent, although there was no
change between 1999 and 2000. [data: UK, 1997-2000]
3.84
The assessment of progress for this indicator is based on the emissions of a basket of six
greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons,
perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride. Estimates for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are
available a year ahead of estimates for all six of the gases making up the basket.
3.85
The projections to 2010 were made before the provisional 2001 CO2 emission estimates.
The 2001 CO2 estimates are relatively high, increasing by 1.5 per cent from the level in 2000,
due to short-term factors including a shift to coal in electricity generation as a result of lower
coal and higher gas prices, and colder weather than in the preceding two years. However,
these factors are not expected to change the direction of the longer term trend in CO2
emissions away from that shown in the projections to 2010.
Joint DTI Defra: Improve the environment and the sustainable use of natural resources,
including through the use of energy saving technologies, to help reduce greenhouse gas
emissions by 12.5 per cent from 1990 levels and moving towards a 20 per cent reduction in
carbon dioxide emissions by 2010.
70
Headline Indicators
Kyoto Protocol
3.86
The UK climate change programme, published in November 2000, sets out a wide ranging
package of policies and measures that will be good for the environment, good for people and
good for the economy. It is estimated that these policies could reduce the UK greenhouse gas
emissions to 23 per cent below 1990 levels by 2010. On the basis of policies that can be
quantified, the programme could also deliver a cut of 19 per cent in carbon dioxide by 2010.
This is significantly beyond the UKs Kyoto greenhouse gas target of a 12.5 per cent reduction
below 1990 levels by 2008-2012 and a long way towards the governments domestic 20 per
cent goal of reducing CO2 emissions.
3.87
The European Union Member States, including the UK, demonstrated their political
commitment to tackling climate change by ratifying the Kyoto Protocol on 31 May 2002.
Ratification by the EU helps bring the Kyoto Protocol much nearer entry into force.The UK
has been working hard to encourage other countries to ratify and has shown international
leadership on this issue. Once the Kyoto Protocol has entered into force, the UK and other
developed countries which have ratified and which have targets, will be legally bound to meet
their reduction targets. For further information visit
www.defra.gov.uk/news/issues/climatechange.asp
EU ratification of the Kyoto Protocol sends an important message to the world
that we are committed to the Protocol and to tackling climate change The UK
has been central to negotiations on the Protocol and we are making strong
domestic progress in implementing a strategic and innovative programme of
action to reduce the UKs greenhouse gas emissions. The UKs Climate Change
Programme strikes a balance between ambitious action to tackle climate change
and safeguarding and enhancing UK competitiveness...
Minister for Environment, Michael Meacher, May 2002
The UK Emissions Trading Scheme

The UK Emissions Trading Scheme is the worlds first economy wide greenhouse gas
emissions trading scheme and is a key component of the Governments Climate
Change Programme. As well as securing significant reductions in emissions the Scheme
provides UK business and government with early experience in emissions trading.
The scheme went live on 2 April 2002 with the launch of an internet based registry;
34 companies successfully bid as direct participants through an auction in March 2002,
pledging over 4 million tonnes of CO2 emission reductions over the 5 years of the
scheme in return for a financial incentive provided by the Government totalling 215m.
Participation is increasing around 6000 companies with Climate Change Agreements
have the opportunity to trade in the scheme to meet their reduction targets or sell
any over achievement. It is also planned for approved UK based emission reduction
projects to provide a third route of entry to the scheme.
For more information visit www.defra.gov.uk/etr
71
Climate change scenarios

3.88
We already have evidence that the UKs climate has changed. In Central England, the
1990s were exceptionally warm by historical standards and about 0.6C warmer than the
1961-1990 average. New climate change scenarios, launched by Defra in April 2002, show
that this warming will continue and will be followed by a suite of other climate-related effects.
The scenarios were developed by the Tyndall Centre for the UK Climate Impacts Programme
(UKCIP), using predictions from the Hadley Centre Regional Climate Model (50-km
resolution).They improve on the previous set of scenarios (produced in 1998) by providing
more comprehensive information on changes in climate at local and regional scales, better
estimates of changes in extreme weather events, and the first UK application of
internationally-recognised scenarios of greenhouse gas emissions.
3.89
The scenarios show that average annual temperatures across the UK may rise by between
2 and 3.5C by the 2080s. Summers may become drier across all of the UK and winters will
become wetter, while the amount of snow could decline substantially. In addition, relative sea
levels will continue to rise around the coast. Some types of extreme weather events will
become more frequent, such as heat-waves, extreme coastal high water levels and heavy
spells of rain.The scenarios provide invaluable information for more detailed studies on the
implications of climate change for different sectors and regions within the UK. In this way, all
of us government, public and private organisations, and individuals alike can ensure that
we have taken adequate steps to prepare for the impacts of climate change. For further
information visit www.ukcip.org.uk/scenarios.
Renewable energy
72
3.90
The UK-led Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) was launched in August
2002, at WSSD. It is a partnership of progressive governments, businesses and organisations
that are committed to accelerating the development and deployment of renewable energy
and energy efficiency systems. Considerable input has been provided by Brazil, the Czech
Republic, Ghana, Iceland, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Shell and the World Wide
Fund for Nature and interest has already been shown by EU Member States, notably by Italy,
as well as officials from Austria, France, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden.
3.91
The UK sees the REEEP as the main vehicle for taking forward the energy agreements in the
WSSD Plan of Implementation, including the commitment to urgently and substantially
increase the share of renewable energy within the energy supply mix. We believe that it is
also a key vehicle for helping to translate the EU inspired declaration The Way Forward on
Renewable Energy into concrete actions.
Headline Indicators
Centre for Alternative Technology bring renewable energy home

Community groups in the Dulas and Dyfi valleys of Mid Wales have set up one of the
most exciting and innovative renewable energy projects in Britain. From the founding
of the Dulas Valley Community Wind Partnership in 1999 to the construction of the
75kW turbine in June 2002 the project has been forging new paths in community
managed energy production.
In September 2001 Bro Dyfi Community Renewables Ltd (BDCR) was established out
of the initial partnership. It raised funds for the turbine by selling shares to local
individuals and community groups.The shareholders are the ultimate owners of the
turbine, having managerial control through their elected Board, as well as financial
investment. BDCR now provides day-to-day management and is responsible for
distributing the schemes profits in the form of dividends to investing members,
keeping money circulating within the local economy.
In addition to the capital raised by selling shares, grants were obtained from the
Energy Saving Trust, the European Regional Development Fund and the Scottish Power
Green Energy Trust.The Dyfi Eco Valley Partnership, Powys Energy Agency, Forest
Enterprise and the Baywind Energy Co-operative also played important support roles
The Energy Saving Trust also bought some of the shares.The dividend income from
these shares will go into a locally-managed fund to reduce energy consumption in the
valley, further reducing the amount of CO2 released by the Dyfi valley.
The turbine is located at Pantperthog near Machynlleth in Powys on Forest Enterprise
land just above the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) a visitor and education
centre promoting sustainable technologies. Engineers from CAT were commissioned
to erect the Vestas V17 turbine and the Centre has signed a 15-year power purchasing
agreement, surplus electricity being exported to the local grid.
It is hoped that this project will be seen as a model for community wind power
schemes in other parts of the UK.
For further information visit www.cat.org.uk
Reducing vehicle emissions

3.92
The Governments Powering Future Vehicles Strategy was launched in July 2002.The Strategy
which was produced jointly by DfT, HM Treasury, Defra and the DTI is aimed at
promoting the UKs shift to low-carbon vehicle technologies and fuels, to reduce transports
impact on the global and local environment.
3.93
It sets out ambitious Government targets that by 2012 ten per cent of new cars sold in the
UK will be low-carbon vehicles, defined as 100 or less grams of CO2 per km at the tailpipe
(compared with the current new car average of 178gm). It also sets the target that by 2012
600 new buses joining the fleet yearly (around 20 per cent) will also be low-carbon.
3.94
These targets make the UK the first country to set itself a target for shifting its mainstream
motoring to low-carbon as distinct from targets for niche vehicles or technologies.The
Government is supporting the shift to low-carbon by linking mainstream vehicle taxation
i.e. the graduated Vehicle Excise Duty introduced in 2001, and graduated company car
taxation, introduced in 2002 to carbon dioxide emissions.
73
3.95
Delivering these objectives involves more than one part of Government, and the Prime
Minister has set up a Ministerial Low Carbon Group to oversee the delivery of the lowcarbon agenda.The Ministerial Group will report annually to Parliament.
3.96
The Strategy looks further forward to the long-term shift to ultra-low carbon vehicles and
ultimately to zero emission transport.The Government will put in place further targets
beyond the decade, accelerating the shift towards technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells.
For further information visit www.roads.dft.gov.uk/vehicle/environment/futurepower/index.htm
Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership
The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) is an action and advisory group. Its
role is: to promote the UKs shift to low carbon vehicles and fuels; to help industry,
consumer, environment and other organisations participate in the shift; and to
maximise the potential competitive advantage for UK business. LowCVP will play a key
role in carrying through the UKs Powering Future Vehicles Strategy.
The Partnerships members are drawn from a wide range of organisations with a stake
in the move to cleaner vehicles and fuels.These include not only car manufacturers
and others in the auto supply chain, but also the after-sales sector, transport
operators, those concerned with fuel supply and infrastructure, research bodies,
technology providers, consumer and environmental organisations, the investment
community, and regulatory/planning bodies.
The Partnerships tasks are: to encourage industries and other stakeholders to engage
proactively in the move to low-carbon vehicles and fuels; to provide a forum in which
stakeholders can work together in overcoming market barriers affecting the shift to
new vehicles and fuels; to provide a forum for Government, industry and other
partners to liaise on upcoming policy developments and regulatory issues; and to
provide Government with independent input to and feedback on the progress and
effectiveness of the Foresight Vehicle and other low-carbon research programmes.
For further information visit www.lowcvp.org.uk
74
Headline Indicators
H10 Air quality

Objective:
Reduce air pollution and ensure air quality continues to improve through
the longer term.
Days when air pollution was moderate or higher

70
United Kingdom
Average number of days per site
60
50
Urban sites
40
Rural sites
30
20
10
0
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
Source: National Environmental Technology Centre (NETCEN)/Defra
Change since Urban air quality has improved significantly since 1993, from
1990:
59 days of moderate or higher air pollution on average per site
to 21 days in 2001. [data: UK, 1993-2001]
Rural air quality has also improved from 48 days of moderate or

higher air pollution on average per site in 1990 to 30 days in 2001.
[data: UK, 1990-2001]
Change since Year on year variations to air quality, which is strongly affected
the Strategy: by the weather, mean that several years data are needed before
a trend becomes clear. 2000 saw the best air quality to date, but
the average number of days of moderate or higher air pollution
at urban sites increased from 16 to 21 days in 2001, compared
with 22 days in 1998. [data: UK, 1998-2001]
For rural sites, air pollution depends mainly on ozone levels, which
can vary widely, so there is no clear trend since the strategy.The
average number of days of moderate or higher air pollution was
30 in 2001, compared with 26 in 1998 and 42 in 1999, and 25
in 2000. [data: UK, 1998-2001]
75
3.97
The above assessments reflect figures updated during 2002 for the previous year. Provisional
figures for air quality in 2002 show a reduction in the number of days when air pollution was
moderate or higher.
3.98
It is estimated that air pollution in the UK brings forward the deaths of between 12,000 and
24,000 people each year. Air pollution is also responsible for discomfort and many hospital
admissions. Government sponsored research, published this year, highlights that it is often
poorer people living in poor areas who are exposed to the highest levels of air pollution.
A report into the links between social deprivation and air pollution in four UK cities (London,
Birmingham, Belfast and Cardiff) shows that, in three of the cities, air pollution tends to be
highest in the most socially deprived areas.
3.99
In August 2002, the Government announced tighter air quality targets for particles, benzene
and carbon monoxide and introduced, for the first time, a new target for polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons.These will complement the other targets already in place for the main air
pollutants contained in the Governments national Air Quality Strategy Working Together for
Clean Air and which sets out policies and action for delivering cleaner air.The new target for
particles will, by 2010, have cut the amount of particles pollution in air by at least 50 per cent
from present levels.
Defra: Improve air quality by meeting Air Quality Strategy targets for carbon monoxide, lead,
nitrogen dioxide, particles, sulphur dioxide, benzene and 1-3 butadiene.
It is not possible to produce targets for the Headline Indicator directly from the national
objectives for individual pollutants.Work is being carried out to develop a robust approach to
estimate the impact that meeting the objectives will have on the Headline Indicator.
76
3.100
Air quality is getting better.The 2001 results for the Governments Headline Indicator of air
quality, published in May 2002, reinforced earlier findings that the number of days of
moderate or higher air pollution has declined substantially at urban sites since 1993.The
number of days of poor urban air quality per year has fallen by about two thirds since 1993,
consistent with the reductions in emissions of key pollutants over the last decade. Actions at
international, national and local level have all contributed to this improvement. For example,
emissions of air pollutants from road transport have fallen by 50 per cent or so over the last
decade as a result of progressively tighter EU standards for new vehicles and fuels. Relative
emissions from transport are, however, growing as emissions from other major sources, such
as power generation and industry, have also declined in response to, for example, reduction
targets introduced through the National Emissions Ceiling and Large Combustion Plant
Directives.
3.101
In 2002, the new Air Quality Expert Group started work to help the Government tackle air
pollution by examining sources and levels of pollution, analysing trends and suggesting
potential priority areas for research.The group are part of the Governments commitment to
deliver clean air for the UK and help future reviews of the Air Quality Strategy by improving
the understanding of levels and sources of pollution.
Headline Indicators
Levels of most pollutants have fallen considerably over the last few years
through measures to cut emissions from industry and traffic. But the latest health
evidence shows that we cannot afford to be complacent. Further action is needed
to cut air pollution levels, in particular in our congested towns and cities, which
continue to have a significant impact on our health. The new targets we have
announced [today] represent a significant strengthening of our air quality targets
for particles and other important air pollutants.
Minister for Environment, Michael Meacher, August 2002
3.102
Air pollution does not recognise borders between countries and international commitments
play a key role in meeting air quality targets.The UK continued to play a prominent and
supportive role in discussions and negotiations on measures to cut air pollution. Several EU
Directives to reduce emissions of air pollutants were transposed into UK law during 2002.
These include the National Emission Ceilings Directive, which sets ceilings for UK emissions of
various pollutants; the Large Combustion Plant Directive, which will reduce emissions from
large industrial plants; and the Second Air Quality Daughter Directive, which sets limits for
two key pollutants. Full public consultation was undertaken on the Governments proposals
for ratifying important international agreements on further reductions of air pollution.
3.103
Local authorities have continued to make good progress with their air quality management
duties. Practically all authorities have completed their first round of reviews and assessments
to check whether the air quality targets will be met. Over 100 authorities have designated Air
Quality Management Areas and have started preparing action plans to tackle problems
identified.
3.104
It is important that people can access information about levels of air pollution to check any
impact on their health and judge whether the Government measures to reduce levels are
working. An improved public air pollution information service was launched in May 2002 to
report hourly up-dates and 24 hour forecasts on air quality in sixteen regions and sixteen
urban areas of the UK. Information is readily available from freephone 0800 556677, teletext
and the internet. At the same time, a new, much improved, user friendly website for people
to view current and historical data on air pollution was launched.
For further information visit www.airquality.co.uk/archive/index.php
77
Air quality and transport

Newcastle City Council greens its vehicle fleet
In February 2000 Newcastle City Council produced a Green Transport Plan to meet
its air quality objectives. Before the plan, nearly all of the fleet ran on ultra low sulphur
diesel (ULSD), but it was decided that more could be done to reduce pollution and so
now all these vehicles are being replaced on a rolling basis by cleaner electric and
Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) models. By choosing TransportEnergy PowerShiftapproved vehicles including Ford Transits,Vauxhall Vectras and Citroen Berlingos
the council has received grants of 349,000, significantly reducing the additional
purchase cost of the LPG vehicles.
Brian Fothergill, Engineering Services Manager at Newcastle City Council and advisor
to the councils air quality department is delighted with the progress so far and said:
We now have 312 clean fuel vehicles thats a massive 42 per cent of our fleet. Not
only are we saving significant amounts of money because LPG is half the price of
petrol but we are making a major contribution to reducing levels of health-damaging
pollutants such as particulate matter.The more clean fuelled vehicles we operate, the
more money we save and the less pollution we create.
For further information visit www.local-transport.dft.gov.uk/travelplans/index.htm
3.105
Road transport is a major source of local air pollution, particularly in our towns and cities. Air
quality and transport policy measures have already led to significant improvements in local air
quality and will continue to lead to further improvements. Key transport initiatives include:
Regulatory measures and standards to reduce vehicle emissions and improve fuels.
This includes the Euro standards emissions testing as part of the MOT, and the Road
Traffic Vehicle Emissions Regulations 2002 which allow local authorities with air quality
management areas to undertake roadside emissions testing.
Tax based measures that encourage people to supply and use cleaner fuels and also
encourage them to buy more environmentally-friendly vehicles. Fuel duty differentials
favouring Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), biodiesel and
ultra-low sulphur petrol and diesel encourage people to use these cleaner fuels.
Sulphur free fuels offer further air quality and fuel efficiency benefits over ultra-low
sulphur fuels and the Government intends to introduce duty incentives favouring
sulphur-free fuels in 2003.The company car and Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) taxation
regimes offer discounts for alternatively powered vehicles, such as electric, hybrid and
LPG/CNG.
PowerShift and CleanUp programmes administered by the Energy Saving Trust.
The TransportEnergy PowerShift programme has been set up with the aim of kickstarting the market for clean fuel vehicles (CFVs) in the UK. PowerShift promotes CFVs
and can offer grant support to help with the purchase of vehicles which are proven to
offer emissions benefits and which have been shown to be technically viable.These
include vehicles running on natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas and electricity (including
hybrids).The TransportEnergy CleanUp Campaign aims to improve air quality in
pollution hotspots by encouraging the fitting of emissions reduction equipment to the
most polluting vehicles.
78
Headline Indicators
H11 Road traffic

Objective:
Improve choice in transport; improve access to education, jobs, leisure and

services; and reduce the need to travel.
Road traffic
600
Great Britian
Road traffic in England

projected to increase
by 17% (2000-2010)
with the effect of
10 year plan
400
Traffic intensity
(vehicle km per unit of GDP)
300
140
Index 1970 = 100
Billion vehicle kilometres
500
200
100
120
100
80
60
1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2001
0
1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010
Source: DfT
Change since Total road traffic volume main chart

1990:
Between 1990 and 2001 road traffic increased from
411 billion to 474 billion vehicle kilometres, or 15 per cent.
Road traffic intensity inset chart
Road traffic intensity, measured by vehicle kilometres per GDP,
fell by 10 per cent between 1990 and 2001. Road traffic and
economic growth have historically been strongly linked, but a fall
in the intensity measure shows that this is a weakening or
decoupling.
[data: GB, 1990-2001]
Change since Total road traffic volume main chart
the Strategy: Road traffic volumes increased from 459 billion vehicle kilometres
in 1998 to 474 billion in 2001, or 3 per cent.
Road traffic intensity inset chart
Road traffic intensity, measured by vehicle kilometres per GDP,
fell by 4 per cent between 1998 and 2001, showing some
decoupling between road traffic and economic growth.
[data: GB, 1998-2001]
79

DfT: Reduce congestion on the inter-urban trunk road network and in large urban areas in
England below 2000 levels by 2010.
DfT: Secure improvements in rail punctuality and reliability with a 50 per cent increase in rail
use in Great Britain from 2000 levels by 2010.
DfT: Secure improvements to the accessibility, punctuality and reliability of local public
transport (bus and light rail), with an increase in use of more than 12 per cent by 2010
compared with 2000 levels.
DfT: Cut journey times on London Underground services by increasing capacity and reducing
delays. (Specific targets will be agreed with the Mayor after the Public Private Partnership has
been established.)
DfT: Reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured in Great Britain in road
accidents by 40 per cent, and the number of children killed or seriously injured by 50 per cent,
by 2010 compared with the average for 1994-98, tackling the significantly higher incidence in
disadvantaged communities.
80
3.106
For the reasons explained in paragraph 3.12, the assessment for the Road traffic Headline
Indicator has been split. A new, separate assessment is now made for road traffic volumes,
which have continued to rise, albeit more slowly than in earlier years, and which constitute a
continuing pressure against our objectives to deliver reductions in congestion and pollution.
The second assessment reflects the relationship between traffic and economic growth, as an
intensity measure, and shows that the close association between the two seen in recent
decades has weakened. Since 1993 traffic intensity (the ratio of traffic growth to economic
growth, measured as the amount of traffic generated per unit of GDP) has fallen steadily,
following a significant increase during the previous decade.
3.107
In July 2000, the Government published its 10 Year Plan for transport.This long term
investment strategy was aimed at improving transport systems, to ensure that people and
goods can move around the country freely and efficiently, whilst tackling the adverse impacts
of congestion and pollution.The amount that will be spent on transport over the ten years
covered by the Plan is now more than 180 billion. Since the Plan was published, the
Government has been working to ensure this significant increase in funding is translated into
real improvements on the ground. A report on progress with delivering the Plan [Delivering
Better Transport: Progress Report, DfT 2002 (www.dft.gov.uk/trans2010/index.htm)] was
published on 17 December 2002.
Headline Indicators
Pan European Programme

The UK played a leading role in the decision taken at a United Nations Economic
Council for Europe High Level Meeting in Geneva on 5 July 2002, to establish a Pan
European Programme, listed as one of the Type 2 Partnerships drawn together at
WSSD, for working towards more sustainable transport in the region.
The new programme will focus on a set of key priorities for ensuring that the
environmental and health impacts of transport are tackled fully and properly. Its
adoption marks an important step towards achieving the quality of transport for
which the people of Europe are calling. It should provide a means of responding to
actual practical needs, in particular those of Europes countries who face the challenge
of economies undergoing radical transformation.
The UK played a full part in the multi-lateral discussions which have taken place over
the last year, and which have led to the adoption of this programme.We will be
supporting its development, through some targeted funding, through the dissemination
of good practice and expertise developed at a national and local level here in the UK,
and through our working inputs to specific projects which will go forward under the
programme.
Public transport
3.108
It is currently difficult to register bus routes that do not have a timetable or specified start
and finish points, for example door to door and demand responsive services.The
Department for Transport embarked on a public consultation exercise in August 2002 on
proposals to address this.They suggested that, in order to register a flexible route, an
operator should define the area of operation and pre-booking arrangements rather than
specifying a precise timetable.These measures would be restricted to subsidised services and
those run by not-for-profit organisations, although the consultation also asked whether
commercial operators might find them attractive to run.
3.109
Three new types of bus service were included in the proposals.These are:
The many to one service picking up individual passengers from a location specified by
them (perhaps their home), and taking them to a single, fixed destination. An example
could be a minibus that picks up passengers from any address in a group of villages and
takes them to a fixed stop at the supermarket in an adjacent town;
The one to many service the above example in reverse. Passengers are picked up
from fixed boarding points and taken to disparate destinations, on demand; and
The many to many service this offers maximum flexibility, allowing the service to pick
up passengers from various locations, on demand, and taking them to disparate
destinations (within a defined geographical area of operation), again on demand.
81
Light rail
In the right conditions, such as along high-volume transport corridors in major cities,
light rail schemes can bring about cost-effective improvements in public transport.
They can also secure significant benefits in congestion reduction, local air quality and
safety and help to promote economic regeneration and social inclusion.Typically,
15 per cent of light rail passengers used to rely on cars for the same journeys.
Light rail schemes are already running in London (Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and
Croydon),Tyne and Wear, Greater Manchester, Sheffield, and the West Midlands as
well as the historic Blackpool tram.The Sunderland extension to the Tyne and Wear
Metro opened in spring 2002.The first phase of the Nottingham Express Transit will
start operating in late 2003.
Three more schemes are now in procurement. Phase 3 of Manchester Metrolink will
connect the city centre to Oldham and Rochdale, Ashton-under-Lyne, and Manchester
Airport. Leeds Supertram will serve three key corridors into the city centre and
provide a loop line round it. South Hampshire Rapid Transit will connect Fareham and
Gosport to Portsmouth through a new tunnel under Portsmouth Harbour.
Bristol and South Gloucestershire Rapid Transit, Merseytram line one, and two
extensions to the Midland Metro have also been approved in principle.
82
Headline Indicators
H12 River water quality

Objective:
Improving river quality.
Rivers of good or fair chemical quality

100
Wales
Scotland
(new basis)*
Scotland
Percentage of river lengths
95
Northern Ireland
90
England
85
80
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
Source: Environment Agency of England and Wales,

Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA),
Environment and Heritage Service (NI) (EHS)
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
*Scottish river classification network changed in 2001
Biological river quality

Combined length of tested river lengths
<2,500 km
5,000 km
Old river
network
New river
network
100
90
Percentage of river lengths
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1990 1995 2000
1990 1995 2000
1991 1995 2000 2000 2001
1990 1995 2000 2001
England
Wales
Northern Ireland
Scotland
General Quality Assessment classification

Fair
Good
Source: Environment Agency of England and Wales,

Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA),
Environment and Heritage Service (NI) (EHS)
Old
classification
New
classification
Moderate
Fair
Good
Good
83
Change since The most significant improvements in both chemical and

1990:
biological river quality since 1990 have been in English rivers,
bringing more of them up to the quality seen in the rest of
the UK.The percentage of river lengths of good or fair chemical
quality increased from 84 per cent in 1990 to 94 per cent in
2001 in England, from 97.6 to 98.4 per cent in Wales, from
95 to 96 per cent in Northern Ireland and was 96 per cent in

Scotland in 2001 (after a change in river classification). In 2001
66 per cent of English river lengths had good biological river
quality, compared with 43 per cent in 1990.
[Chemical river quality: Eng, Wales & Scotland 1990-2001, NI 1991-2001]
[Biological river quality: Eng & Wales 1990, 1995, 2000, Scotland,
1990, 1995, 2000, 2001, NI 1991, 1995, 2000, 2001]
Change since Ninety-four per cent of English river lengths were of good or fair
the Strategy: chemical quality in 2000 compared with 89 per cent in 1998.The
chemical quality of rivers in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
have remained relatively stable over this period.

[Chemical river quality: Eng, Wales & Scotland, NI: 1998-2000]
[Biological river quality: Eng & Wales, 1995, 2000, Scotland, NI: 1995, 2001]
3.110
Most UK rivers are of good or fair quality. River water quality is important because rivers are
a major source of water used for drinking and by industry.They also support a wide variety
of wildlife and are used extensively for recreation.
River water quality target
Monitored river lengths have a baseline assessment called the River Quality Objectives (RQO),
which is the level of water quality that a river should achieve in order to be suitable for its
agreed uses.
The Government set a target to increase RQO compliance in England and Wales from 82 per
cent in 1997 to at least 91 per cent in 2005 (by 2000, RQO compliance had increased to 90.4
per cent).
The relationship between movement towards the RQO target and improvement in the water
quality headline is not straightforward. A river length that changed quality to meet its RQO
objective would affect the headline if its quality changed from poor to fair or from fair to
good, but not if it moved up a class within either the fair or good categories.
Sustainability monitoring of the Kennet and Avon Canal

Canals and waterways provide major opportunities for taking an integrated approach
to achieve sustainable development.The 87 mile-long Kennet and Avon Canal and its
associated corridor provide major opportunities for a variety of recreational uses,
form an important wildlife corridor and provide opportunities for economic
development.
The Canal was the subject of a 29 million project funded by British Waterways, the
Heritage Lottery Fund and a number of other partners.This project secured the
future of the waterway in the long term and greatly improved the management of the
Canal corridor.
84
Headline Indicators
As part of British Waterways corporate approach to sustainable development, a pilot

project is being carried out on the Canal looking at sustainability monitoring.
A comprehensive programme of monitoring sees recreational activities such as
walking, cycling, boating and angling measured alongside landscape change, ecology,
water quality, water resources, and economic benefits.The purpose of the monitoring
is to establish a baseline against which change can be measured in the future.
The overall programme seeks to identify issues along the Canal and to identify key
actions to be incorporated into the annual business plan. Rather than monitor the
whole length of the Canal, 12 pilot lengths have been established for detailed
monitoring.These are areas that are particularly sensitive or well used or where some
major work has taken place.
For further information visit www.british-waterways.com
Environment Agency Commonwealth Gold in Salford Quays

In July 2002, the once polluted waters of the Manchester Ship Canal were the venue
for international athletes competing for gold in the Commonwealth Games triathlon
event.
Salford Quays hosted the long distance swimming leg of the gruelling three-stage event
in the Games.The event, in which athletes must prove themselves in long distance
swimming, cycling and running, attracted a wide field.
Branching off the Manchester Ship Canal, the Quays were, until recently, in a state of
terrible decline the docks were so contaminated that fish could not survive and
water sports were completely out of the question.
In 2001, the Environment Agency directed a 4 million scheme to pump 30 tonnes of
oxygen a day into a 3km stretch of the canal around the Quays, counteracting the
effects of pollution. Since then, the Quays have been used regularly for watersports.
The clean-up is part of the wider regeneration work started back in the 1980s by the
Salford Quays Management Corporation, and which has created a completely
revitalised environment and thriving waterfront area.
The Environment Agencys work is part of a concerted and intensive pollution
prevention programme across Manchester and the North West.
For further information visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk
85
H13 Wildlife
Objective:
Reverse the long-term decline in populations of farmland and woodland

birds.
Populations of wild birds

120
United Kingdom
All Species (105)
110
Index (1970 = 100)
100
90
Woodland species (33)
80
70
Farmland species (19)
60
50
1970
1972
1974
1976
1978
1980
1982
Source: Defra, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

RSPB), British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
2000
Figures in brackets denote the number of species included in each category
Change since The overall population of British breeding birds has been
1990:
relatively stable over the last two decades, but farmland and
woodland birds have declined significantly. Between 1990 and
2000 the population of farmland birds fell by 17 per cent and
the population of woodland birds by seven per cent.
[data: UK, 1990-2000]
Change since Farmland birds
the Strategy: Farmland birds decreased by 2 per cent in 2000, after a
3 per cent increase in 1999. [data: UK, 1998-2000]
Woodland birds
Woodland birds increased by 4 per cent in 1999 and
5 per cent in 2000, reaching their highest level
since 1990. [data: UK, 1998-2000]
86
1998
3.111
Wild birds are good indicators of the health of the wider environment, because they are
wide ranging in habitat distribution and tend to be at or near the top of the food chain.The
Headline Indicator comprises indicators of the populations of common species of farmland,
woodland and all native species.The overall population of British breeding birds has been
relatively stable over the last two decades, however, there have been significant declines in
farmland and woodland species.The Governments objective is to reverse these trends.
3.112
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the British Trust for Ornithology
(BTO) report that access restrictions related to the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak
severely restricted data collection in 2001 and they judge that it is not possible to provide a
meaningful update of the Headline Indicator for 2001.
Headline Indicators
3.113
In October 2002 the Government published Englands Biodiversity Strategy, Working with the
grain of nature.The Strategy builds on the foundations laid by the UK Biodiversity Action Plan
(1994) and seeks to integrate biodiversity considerations into a range of key policy areas,
setting out programmes of action for the next five years in agriculture, water and wetlands,
woodland and forestry, towns, cities and development and marine and coastal issues. It also
looks at ways of ensuring that biodiversity is built into the concerns and behaviour of society
as a whole.
3.114
The Strategy brings together a series of biodiversity indicators for each of the sectors
considered. Many are already part of the Quality of life counts series, such as the populations
of wild birds, progress with Biodiversity Action Plans and river water quality. Where possible
and appropriate, the indicators will use data for England and be broken down by sector. A full
report on the biodiversity indicators will be published in 2003.
Defra: Care for our natural heritage, make the countryside attractive and enjoyable for all, and
preserve biological diversity by reversing the long-term decline in the number of farmland birds
by 2020, as measured annually against underlying trends.

Defra: Care for our natural heritage, make the countryside attractive and enjoyable for all, and
preserve biological diversity by bringing into favourable condition by 2010 95 per cent of all
nationally important wildlife sites.
Woodland birds survey

Over the last 30 years a number of our woodland birds have declined, some by 80 per
cent. Protecting them has seen specialists from 14 organisations join forces to launch a
major new survey.The 600,000 Woodland Birds Survey, launched in June 2002, will
look at changes in woodland birds on 350 plots across England,Wales and parts of
Scotland. It is a four year project with principal funding from Defra, the Forestry
Commission and English Nature.
Numbers of woodland birds have been shown to decline by 20 per cent among
33 species over the past 25 years, with lesser spotted woodpecker and spotted
flycatcher populations falling by over 80 per cent. It is a statistic that prompted the
setting up of the Woodland Bird Group through which the Royal Society for the
Protection of Birds and British Trust for Ornithology will carry out the survey.The
first step in the project is to identify the factors leading to the decline, such as changes
in woodland size and condition, so conservation measures can be implemented.This
work will complement the initiatives being taken to address the decline in farmland
birds and lead to the development of better joined up policies to benefit all wild birds.
For further information visit www.english-nature.org.uk
87
Urban regeneration Black Redstarts

The Black Redstart is listed as a species of conservation concern in the UK
Biodiversity Action Plan (1995). It is unique as a rare breeding bird in Britain as its
population is concentrated, in the main, in our urban centres.
The two principle areas are Greater London and Birmingham and the Black Country.
According to the Atlas of Breeding Birds the population varies between 60-100 pairs
annually, although the last estimate was 35 pairs in 1999. Most Black Redstarts breed
in areas that are targeted for regeneration.
English Nature has been supporting a project initiated by the London Biodiversity
Partnership to develop guidelines and mitigation strategies to help conserve Black
Redstarts in urban regeneration schemes. Mitigation projects focus on the provision of
suitable habitat such as green roofs and other innovative, non-traditional landscaping
schemes.Working with planners, developers and architects and landscape designers
the project has resulted in the completion of several demonstration projects.The
provision of Black Redstart habitat has other environmental benefits including
provision of greenspace; creating green corridors; recycling (of demolition waste); and
contributions towards sustainable urban drainage schemes.
For further information visit www.blackredstarts.org.uk
Agri-environment scheme
88
3.115
Defra is developing a pilot scheme to take forward the Policy Commission on Farming and
Foods recommendation for an entry level agri-environment scheme.
3.116
The new Entry Level Scheme is designed to achieve high uptake amongst farmers and broad
coverage of a high proportion of farmland. It will be simple to administer for both farmer and
Government and will not be competitive.
3.117
The scheme will be piloted for two years, starting early 2003. We hope that it will be rolled
out across England in 2005/6. Many partner organisations have been involved in designing the
pilot scheme, and will continue to be involved at all stages of the project.
3.118
As the scheme will be implemented across a broad area, it will be able to address
environmental problems which cannot be solved by focusing on isolated areas, such as diffuse
pollution, loss of widespread species like brown hare and farmland birds, loss of landscape
character and damage to archaeological sites.
3.119
The new scheme will include incentives for wildlife friendly farming practices, such as
sympathetic hedgerow management, over a much larger scale than at present. We expect this
to have a strong positive effect on the wild bird populations that make up Headline Indicator
H13 (wildlife), especially the farmland species that have declined by more than 40 per cent
since 1970. We also intend that the scheme will address resource protection issues, and hope
that it will have a positive effect on Headline Indicator 12 (river water quality). For further
information visit www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/schemes/schemesindex.htm
Headline Indicators
UK Biodiversity Action Plan Natterjack Toads

The Natterjack Toad is a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and is
subject of a species action plan led by the Herpetological Conservation Trust.The
Natterjack, which is smaller than British Common Toads, gets its name from the
distinctive mating call made by the male.
The Natterjack has quite specific habitat requirements needing areas of short grass,
sandy soil and shallow pools in order to hunt, breed and hibernate.There are now
only 50 Natterjack colonies throughout Britain, 22 of which are found in Cumbria.
Most colonies in Cumbria have been declining but the Countryside Stewardship
Scheme has helped farmer Richard Irving reverse this trend on his Anthorn Farm.The
Scheme has encouraged land management practices which support the required
habitat and has seen significant increases in the toad population. From around 20-30
specimens ten years ago, over 150 toads can now be found using the breeding pools,
showing that if the right conditions are maintained then successful sustainable colonies
can thrive.
For further information visit www.herpconstrust.org.uk
National Parks sustainability fund

3.120
Sustainable development is central to the proper conservation of National Parks as it

integrates the environment, community and economy, and thus their statutory purposes and
obligations.
3.121
The National Parks Sustainable Development Fund, which was launched in July 2002, aims to
develop and test new ways of achieving a more sustainable way of living in countrysides of
great natural beauty and diversity, and which enhance and conserve local culture, wildlife,
landscape, land use and community. When the best ways of achieving sustainability have been
identified, they can then act as examples for other rural areas to follow.
3.122
The Fund is open to individuals or organisations from the public, private or voluntary sectors
from within or outside the National Park.
3.123
A few examples of current or completed sustainable development projects in the National

Parks are: the Greater Exmoor Woodland Initiative (a scheme to increase the area of
woodland management and employment in woodland related industries); a bike and canoe
hire network scheme in the Norfolk Broads to support the holiday industry; the Distinctly
Cumbrian Rural Regeneration Programme aimed at supporting the production, distribution
and marketing of Cumbrian products; and the Environmental and Economic Development of
the Hadrians Wall corridor.
89
H14 Land Use

Objective:
Re-using previously developed land, in order to protect the countryside and

encourage urban regeneration.
Percentage of new homes built on previously developed land

70
England
65
60
Per cent
55
50
45
40
35
30
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
Source: ODPM
Change since The percentage of new homes built on previously developed

1990:
land or through conversion of existing buildings increased from
54 per cent in 1990 to 61 per cent in 2001.
[data: England, 1990-2001]
Change since In 2001 61 per cent of new homes were built on previously
the Strategy: developed land or through conversion of existing buildings14.
This compares with 57 per cent in 1996, after which there
has been a steady increase from 1997 onwards.
[data: England, 1996-2001]
3.124
New developments within existing urban areas contribute to the revitalisation of

communities and enable people to live near shops and employment, reducing the need to
travel. Building homes on previously developed land wherever possible is also important for
the protection of the countryside.
14
90
In Quality of life counts these statistics were based on the Land Use Change Statistics definition of
land in urban uses. The publication of Planning Policy Guidance Note 3: Housing (PPG3), introduced
a concise definition of previously developed land land in urban uses plus defence buildings and land
for mineral extraction and waste disposal.The headline series was re-based on the PPG3 definition.
Headline Indicators
Sherwood Energy Village

Sherwood Energy Village is a unique initiative owned and developed by a community
driven Social Enterprise, a national example of living, working and playing without
harming the environment
The development arose from the closure of Ollerton Colliery, in March 1994,
devastating the community and leaving a 91 acre scar on the landscape.The local
community driven concept of the Sherwood Energy Village grew out of a desire to
find a new use for the site that would not have the environmental impacts of mining.
Eight years on, the Sherwood Energy Village is a visionary, innovative enterprise.The
former colliery has been reclaimed for industry, commerce, housing, education and
recreation.The site is being developed to sustainability and energy efficiency best
practice standards, providing a better quality of life for all those who live, work and
play there.
Key initiatives include biomass power generation, use of renewable energy sources,
carbon neutral housing and industry, areas of natural beauty, education and conference
facilities, plus the largest sustainable urban drainage system in the UK.
For further information visit www.sev.org.uk
Millennium Communities
The Millennium Communities Programme was initiated in 1997 with the launch of the
development competition for Greenwich Millennium Village.The programme aims to
produce tangible, living examples of sustainable mixed-use development providing a
new, environmentally friendly way of living.They incorporate good public transport
links, innovation in building technology, energy efficiency and challenging ecological and
environmental strategies. A range of different types of site have been chosen to
demonstrate that energy efficient, environmentally responsible development is
achievable regardless of geographic location.
The Greenwich Millennium Village in South London was the site of the largest gas
works in Europe and is now being developed by Greenwich Millennium Village Ltd, a
joint venture between Taylor Woodrow and Countryside Properties. From the outset,
the development of a community infrastructure was seen as installing the physical
infrastructure. At Greenwich Millennium Village the school and health centre were
built and open within 12 months of the first residents moving in and a dedicated bus
route existed before the first homes were sold.The full integration of affordable
housing both in terms of design and location promotes social inclusion.Those needing
affordable housing are not relegated to the periphery of the village and are living in
units indistinguishable from those for sale. A number of demanding targets for the
environmental performance and construction have been set. Good progress is being
made towards these.
For further information visit www.englishpartnerships.co.uk
91
H15 Waste
Objective:
Move away from disposal of waste towards waste reduction, reuse, recycling
and recovery.
Household waste and recycling: 19832001

600
Kilograms per person per year
500
400
300
200
100
84
19
/7
/6
/5
/4
83
19
85
86
19
19
/9
/8
87
19
88
19
90
19
91
19
92
19
93
19
94
19
95
19
96
19
97
19
England and Wales

waste not recycled/composted
/9
/8
/7
/6
/5
/4
/3
/2
/1
/9
89
19
98
19
/0
99
19
/1
England
waste recycled/composted
Source: Defra
Waste arisings and management 1997/8

United Kingdom
30%
Landfill
Other disposal
58%
Other recovery
Energy recovery
2%
Recycling
7%
2%
Total controlled waste arisings from households,

industry and commerce: 170 210 million tonnes
Source: Defra and others
92
00
20
Headline Indicators
Change since Household waste

1990:
Household waste accounts for about one sixth of all controlled
waste. Between 1991/2 and 2000/1, the amount of household
waste generated that was not recycled or composted increased
from 414 to 447 kilograms per person, or eight per cent.
[data, Eng & Wales 1991/2, 1993/4, 1995/6, Eng, 1996/7-2000/1]
All waste arisings and management

In 1997/8 it was estimated that between 170 and 210 million
tonnes of controlled waste was produced in the UK by households,
commerce and industry (including construction and demolition).
Nearly 60 per cent of this was disposed of in landfill sites.
There are no earlier data available with which to make a
comparison with 1990, and it is not possible to estimate the
likely trend as there have been significant changes in the manner
in which waste is dealt with in some industries, such as in
construction and demolition. [data, UK, 1997/8]
Change since Household waste
the Strategy: Between 1997/8 and 2000/1, the amount of household
waste generated that was not recycled or composted increased
from 435 to 447 kilograms per person or three per cent.
[data, Eng, 1997/8-2000/1]
All waste arisings and management
There are currently no data since the Strategy for all
controlled waste streams with which to make an
assessment. New data are expected in 2004.
...
...
3.125
Owing to the lack of new data on all controlled waste arisings, a separate assessment has
been made for household waste, which accounts for about a sixth of the total. Although the
amount of household waste that was not recycled or composted has increased, there has
been significant improvement in the proportion of household waste that is recycled or
composted, rising from 2.6 per cent of the total in 1991/2 to 11.2 per cent in 2000/1.
3.126
Tackling our growing mountain of waste is one of the biggest environmental challenges we
face. We need to reduce the waste we generate, while at the same time ensuring the safe
disposal of wastes for which efficient re-use, recycling or recovery solutions have not yet
been found. In the long term, decoupling the link between waste growth and economic
growth will require concerted action from governments, local authorities, businesses, and
individuals.
Targets in the 2000 Waste Strategy
To recover value from 45 per cent of municipal waste and to recycle 30 per cent of household
waste by 2010.To reduce landfill for industrial and commercial waste to 85 per cent of the
1998 level by 2005.

Defra: Enable 25 per cent of household waste to be recycled or composted by 2005-6.
93
3.127
Following the Waste Summit in November 2001, the Cabinet Office Strategy Unit has been
looking at what additional measures we may need to meet our obligations under the Landfill
Directive. Previous annual reports have included, in the graph showing all controlled waste
arisings, estimates for 2010 based on the existing measures within the Waste Strategy.
Estimates have not been included this year pending the results of the Strategy Units review.
3.128
Defra has strengthened its support for local authority waste minimisation and recycling,
including through the ring-fenced fund of 140 million. Under a voluntary agreement, the UK
newspaper industry has succeeded in boosting the recycled content of their output to over
60 per cent.They have exceeded their target for 2001, and are on track to meet the 70 per
cent target for 2006. For packaging waste, the UK achieved a recovery rate of 47.9 per cent
in 2001, compared with 33.4 per cent in 1998 and a recycling rate of 42 per cent in 2001, a
significant increase on the 1998 rate of 28.9 per cent.
3.129
Action to improve resource efficiency and waste management will be crucial in taking
forward the work on sustainable production and consumption proposed at WSSD (see
Headline Indicator 1). For this to succeed, action is required at all levels.The following case
studies give some examples of the different work being carried out across the UK.
Green Alliance waste indicators
For two years, Green Alliance, in consultation with waste management companies,
researched and refined a set of performance indicators that could be applied across
the waste sector.The indicators were launched in November 2001, with the
publication of Indicating Right, and since then over half the UKs waste industry have
signed up.
The indicators cover all the major environmental impacts of waste management, and
represent a big step forward in improving the environmental performance, and
transparency, of the waste sector.The Environmental Services Association, the
representative body for the industry, has unanimously endorsed the indicators.
For further information visit www.green-alliance.org.uk/WasteIndicators.htm
I see these indicators as being key to tackling the UKs growing waste problem ... together
with specific targets, the indicators are an effective means of driving improvements in
performance and the environment.
Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, Barbara Young, November 2001
94
Headline Indicators
British Telecommunications (BT) waste management

The production and correct disposal of waste from operations are key environmental
issues for BT. In 2001/2 the company produced more than 90,000 tonnes of waste; to
maintain the ISO 14001 certification, it is essential to have efficient, effective and
environmentally friendly waste management systems.
A major new initiative introduced this year, Materials Recycling Facilities (MRFs), has
helped to significantly increase the amount of waste recycled for some of the waste
streams. At an MRF site, general waste is sorted at a waste station before being sent
to landfill. Any items which can be recycled (such as cardboard, metals, uncontaminated
plastics etc) are taken out and only the remainder goes to landfill.
For example, non-lead acid battery recycling has increased by 150 per cent and
cardboard recycling increased by 114 per cent to 2,250 tonnes. Eight-hundred and
thirty-two tonnes of PC equipment for recycling was also recovered, the amount of
waste sent to landfill was reduced by 22.5 per cent and the total amount of waste
recycled was increased to 21 per cent.The income from recycling was 4.1 million.
That together with landfill tax savings reduced the waste disposal costs by over
50 per cent.
For further information visit www.bt.com/betterworld
Archway School
Archway School took part in the Action on School project for secondary schools.
Global Action Plan trained an Action Team consisting of students, teachers, caretaking
and kitchen staff and governors, plus the local councils recycling officer.
Global Action Plan helped them to carry out their first audit. A campaign then took
place to reduce the amount of rubbish thrown away.This consisted of a launch event,
poster campaigns, the introduction of recycling facilities, and a student visit to a landfill
site.The second audit was carried out five months later and showed a massive
reduction of 65 per cent, saving them 1,800 on their annual waste-collection bill.
Archway School was awarded its United Nations certificate, followed by a celebration
event. Around 100 students have been directly involved in the programme and many
more have been involved through curriculum work.
For further information visit www.globalactionplan.org.uk
95

Peoples attitudes to environmental issues15
Virtually all respondents had heard of climate change, global warming, or the greenhouse effect.
Most people were at least fairly convinced that climate change is happening.
Half of the people thought that climate change was a very important headline quality of life
issue; a further third thought it was fairly important.
Climate change, or one of its potential effects, was the second most common environmental
concern for the future.
Three out of four respondents thought air quality was a very important headline quality of life
issue.
Concern has increased about future air pollution.
Road traffic was regarded as fairly or very important, as a headline quality of life issue, by nine
out of ten people.
Over half of all respondents were very worried about urban traffic exhaust fumes and urban
smog. Over two fifths were very worried about traffic congestion.
Six out of ten people thought that river water quality was a very important headline quality of
life issue.
Over half of all respondents were very worried about pollution in rivers, bathing waters and
beaches.
Water pollution was regarded as an issue of concern for the future.
Half of the people thought that wildlife was a very important headline quality of life issue.
Half of all respondents were very worried about loss of wildlife or habitats.
More than half of all respondents encouraged wildlife in their gardens or regularly avoided using
pesticides.
Eight out of ten respondents were fairly or very worried about the loss of Green Belt land.
Eighty-five per cent of respondents either strongly supported or slightly supported legislation to
restrict building on greenfield sites.
Three in five respondents thought waste disposal and recycling was very important to quality
of life.
Three quarters of respondents were fairly or very worried about household waste disposal,
including a third that were very worried.
Inadequate recycling facilities was cited as reasons for not recycling.
Further work on indicators

3.130
In the Strategy for sustainable development for the UK, the Government envisaged a full
review of both the Strategy and all of the indicators in Quality of life counts after five years.
We therefore intend to review and produce a revised set of both the Headline Indicators
and the wider core set of 150 indicators.The review, which will commence soon, will include
coverage, presentation, interpretation, assessment and relevance to sustainable development
for all the indicators, and will involve consultation with a wide range of stakeholders.
15
96
Headline Indicators
3.131
As part of the indicator development process, several indicators that were to be developed
at the time of the 1999 report have now had a data source identified or developed.
3.132
For example:
Quality of life counts (core indicator) K7: Access to local green space: In 2001, 84 per
cent of respondents perceived they could easily access local green space or countryside.
Quality of life counts (core indicator) S8: Access to the countryside: In 2001 80 per cent
of survey respondents had visited the countryside for enjoyment in the preceding 12
months.
Quality of life counts (core indicator) C9: Low Pay: In 2001 1.3 per cent of people in
work aged over 18 were earning less than the minimum wage down from 6.4 per cent
in 1998.
3.133
The presentation of the Headline Indicators has been improved on the sustainable
development website, and is updated when new data become available. A Quality of Life
Barometer leaflet summarising the latest position in the headline indicators has been updated
several times during the year, and Regional Quality of Life Counts16 regional versions of the
headline indicators have been updated and published.
3.134
The full results of the Survey of public attitudes to quality of life and to the environment 200117
were published in October 2002, providing an insight into peoples attitudes and behaviour
regarding sustainable development issues. Some of the results have been included in the
preceding Headline Indicator sections.
3.135
The Audit Commission has produced and piloted a set of local quality of life performance
indicators18 to assist local authorities in monitoring progress towards sustainable development
in their areas.The indicators were strongly influenced by the menu of Local quality of life
counts19 produced jointly by the Central Local (government) Information Partnership (CLIP)
Task Force on Sustainable Development.
3.136
A Government response20 to an Environmental Audit Committee report on the 2001

Headline Indicators was published on 6 November 2002, and reinforced the Governments
commitment to reporting progress towards sustainable development, particularly through a
set of Headline Indicators.
3.137
The UK has continued to play an active role in the development of a set of indicators to
monitor sustainable development across the European Union.
16
Regional quality of life counts 2001 (2nd Edition), Defra 2002
17
18
Using Quality of Life Indicators, Audit Commission 2002 (www.audit-commission.gov.uk)
19
Local quality of life counts, DETR 2000
20
The Governments Response to the Environmental Audit Committee Fourth Report (2001-02): Measuring
the Quality of Life: The 2001 Sustainable Development Headline Indicators,TSO 2002
97
Geographical coverage
98
3.138
The Headline Indicators use data for the whole of the UK, wherever possible. However in
some instances data are not available for all the constituent countries of the UK, on a
comparable basis, or for the full period required, or at all.To avoid overly complicating the
overview of progress provided by Headline Indicators the most appropriate combination of
consistent data have been used, which allows for clear explanations of the traffic light
assessments and graph presentations.
3.139
The devolved administrations have, in some cases different policies and targets, or indeed
legal bases.Their data collection mechanisms have, therefore, rightly been established to
collect the relevant information with which to monitor their own progress that may differ
from that in other countries in the UK.
3.140
The National Assembly for Wales published its own set of sustainable development indicators
Sustainable development indicators for Wales21 in March 2002 and Scotlands sustainable
development indicators were published in April 2002 in Meeting the NeedsPriorities, Actions
and Targets for sustainable development in Scotland 22.The Headline Indicators produced for
Wales include most but not all of the UK Governments Headline Indicators, plus some
others of particular relevance to Wales.
3.141
In Northern Ireland, the results of a consultation on a sustainable development strategy are

being evaluated, and this will begin the process of dialogue on an appropriate set of
monitoring indicators for Northern Ireland.
3.142
The devolved administrations do take comparability with other parts of the UK into account
when developing their own sets of indicators, but they must also reflect their own particular
needs.
21
www.wales.gov.uk/keypubstatisticsforwalesheadline/content/sustainable/2002/hdw200203274-e.htm
22
www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/rural/mtnsd-00.aspt.htm
Headline Indicators
The release of Headline Indicators in 2003 will follow a similar pattern to 2002
(see Table 3.2)
Table 3.2: 2002 timetable of Headline Indicator releases
Headline indicator
Month
Department or
other provider
H1
Economic growth (GDP)
March and September
ONS
H2
Investment (total)
March and September
ONS
H3
Employment
September
DWP/ONS
H4
Poverty and social exclusion
September
DWP/ONS
H5
Education
July
DfES
H6
Health
August (next due in 2004)
ONS/DH
H7
Housing conditions
December
ODPM
H8
Crime
July
HO
H9
Climate change
March
Defra/DTI/NETCEN
January
May
Defra
Defra
H11 Road traffic provisional

final
February
May
DfT
DfT
H12 Water quality
October
Defra
H13 Wildlife (wild bird populations)
No data released in 2002.

Next due in December 2003
Defra/BTO/RSPB
H14 Land use
May
ODPM
August
Due in 2004
Defra
H10 Air quality
H15 Waste
provisional
final
household waste
all waste arisings
Acronyms of policy departments used in this chapter

CPS:
Crown Prosecution Service
DETR:
former Department of the Environment,Transport and the Regions
Defra:
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
DTLR:
former Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions
DWP:
Department for Work and Pensions
DfES:
Department for Education and Skills
DH:
Department of Health
DfT:
Department for Transport
DTI:
Department of Trade and Industry
FCO:
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
HO:
Home Office
HMT:
Her Majestys Treasury
LCD:
Lord Chancellors Department
ODPM: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
99
CHAPTER FOUR
International Co-operation
and Development
4.1
We live in an increasingly interdependent world. Sustainable development in the UK cannot

be considered in isolation from sustainable development elsewhere. Our lifestyles and policies
have an impact on the rest of the world. We have a moral duty to help the poorest people
in the world as we move towards a new global society. Allowing international inequalities and
environmental degradation to grow could jeopardise social stability and sustainable
development for us all.
We must contribute to global sustainable development, in particular for those in extreme
poverty.
Womens literacy and numeracy class in the village of Khabasdih, West Bengal (Howard Davies, DFID, 1997)
100
International Co-operation and Development
4.2
The Strategy for sustainable development for the UK states that to achieve sustainable
development internationally we need to:
work with others to eliminate global poverty and raise living standards in developing
countries;
work with others to tackle global pressures on the environment and resources;
promote a fair and open trade system which respects the environment; and
strengthen the place of sustainable development in international organisations.
4.3
While much of the focus for international sustainable development in 2002 was placed on
the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg, its outcomes
should be seen not as the watershed agreement that Rio was, but as part of a continuum of
recent conferences. Recently, an international process has been unfolding marked by three
key summits: the Doha (4th) World Trade Organisation meeting (which took place in
November 2001), Financing for Development in Monterrey and WSSD.The G8 also achieved
some important milestones at its Summit in Canada, and the First Meeting of Parties to the
Aarhus Convention brought into operation the worlds first international convention aimed at
the implementation of Rio Principle 10.The UK played a leading role in all of these.
4.4
The following looks at some of the ways the UK has been working to achieve the above
goals in 2002 through these processes. If delivered, the agreements reached at the Millennium
Summit, particularly the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Financing for Development
in Monterrey, the Doha Ministerial Trade Talks and the World Summit on Sustainable
Development all mark significant steps for global sustainable development.
Tackling global poverty

4.5
The UKs international development programme is framed by the Millennium Development

Goals and associated targets against which progress can be measured.These were adopted
by the United Nations at the Millennium Summit in 2000 building on the former International
Development Targets.
4.6
During 2002 the UK committed to increase its aid budget.This will result in a rise from 0.26
per cent of gross national income (GNI) in 1997 to 0.32 per cent in 2001, and an increase to
0.41 per cent of GNI by 2005/6. Further progress was made in improving the effectiveness of
aid by moving away from project support to more strategic co-operation framed within
poverty reduction strategies drawn up by developing countries themselves.
4.7
The UK was instrumental in the successful replenishment of the Global Environmental Facility
(GEF), the main financial mechanism for global environmental issues such as climate change,
biodiversity and bio-safety, international waters, phasing out of ozone depleting substances
and programmes to deal with persistent organic pollutants, desertification and land
degradation.The replenishment of the GEF for the period 2002 to 2006 was completed in
August and resulted in agreement to provide $2.9 billion in total (including investment
income of $130 million and carry over of $570 million).The UK agreed to provide an
additional voluntary 15 million as a signal of our commitment to dealing with global
environmental issues, the effects of which are felt disproportionately by developing countries.
The UK is now the fourth largest donor to the GEF.
101
4.8
The UK Government provided support to developing countries in the formulation of their

own national strategies for sustainable development. Policy and implementation guidance was
provided in cooperation with several other development agencies and institutions through,
firstly the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and then the
United Nations. Supportive publications were made available as part of the WSSD
preparations.
Promoting a fair and open trade system

4.9
Trade can play a major role in the promotion of economic development and the alleviation
of poverty. At the Doha (4th) World Trade Organisation (WTO) meeting trade ministers
promised to put developing countries at the heart of WTO negotiations.This was a significant
advance in the quest for a more development-focused system of international trade rules.
The Doha meeting heralded a development round of negotiations within the WTO on trade
and related issues.
4.10
Negotiations are underway in the Special Session of the WTO Committee on Trade and
Environment.The deadline for completion of negotiations is 31 December 2004.The EU has
submitted papers that propose a presumption of conformity with WTO rules for specific trade
obligations arising from Multilateral Environment Agreements (MEAs), and enhanced observer
status for MEA Secretariats within the WTO negotiations.The EU has also proposed that
tariff reductions for environmentally beneficial goods should be greater than the average tariff
reductions to be agreed for non-agricultural products.This will have the benefit of increasing
trade in such goods and promoting technology transfer to developing countries.
4.11
Similarly, negotiations to give effect to the Doha commitments on agriculture are being
carried forward in Special Sessions of the WTO Committee on Agriculture.These sessions
have covered the three central pillars of export competition, market access and domestic
support as well as related issues of special and differential treatment for developing countries
and non-trade concerns. A paper will be produced with a view to reaching agreement on
modalities for a new Agriculture Agreement in the first quarter of 2003.
Financing for Development
102
4.12
The UN Conference on Financing for Development was held in Monterrey in March. It

recognised the need to mobilise all sources of finance savings, foreign direct investment,
export earnings, debt relief and aid towards the eradication of poverty and sustainable
development.The Conference was successful in building a stronger international consensus
about the measures needed to generate resources to meet the Millennium Development
Goals. Monterrey also achieved very significant results on aid volumes.The EU will increase
their average overseas development assistance/Gross National Income ratio from its current
level of 0.33 per cent to 0.39 per cent in 2006 (including the UK budget rising to 0.4 per
cent by that date).This will mean an extra $7 billion of aid annually by 2006, a figure that will
continue to rise with inflation and economic growth.
4.13
The UK amongst others supported the package of further commitments announced by

the EU:
to take concrete steps to harmonise donor procedures by 2004;
to increase aid for trade-related capacity building;
4.14
to press for a stronger developing country voice in international economic decision

making;
to hold discussions on the scope for further aid untying;
to promote a process for identifying global public goods;
to consider the case for innovative sources of financing; and
to give priority to ensuring debt sustainability.
The UK will be working to build on the commitments in the Monterrey Consensus. On aid
volume, we will be working within the EU to clarify individual Member States responsibilities
to ensure that the target EU average is met, and pressing other donors to encourage them
to follow the EU and US in significantly increasing their overseas development assistance
levels.The UK will continue to press the aid effectiveness agenda in the EU (particularly on
untying aid), the OECD Development Assistance Committee and the G8.
G8 Summit
4.15
The 2002 G8 Summit took place in Kananaskis, Canada, in June.The main output was the G8
Africa Action Plan, the G8s response to the New Partnership for Africas Development
(NEPAD).The Plan includes commitments on: promoting peace and security in Africa;
spending half the additional aid promised at Monterrey on Africa; providing up to $1 billion
extra funding for debt relief; support for countries with credible plans to achieve universal
primary education; further work on differential pricing for pharmaceuticals and providing the
resources to eliminate polio by 2005.
4.16
In his statement to the Commons after the Summit, the Prime Minister undertook that the
UK would contribute its share of the additional resources required to implement the Plan;
and said, we expect UK bilateral spending on Africa to rise from around 650 million a year now
to 1 billion by 2006.

4.17
The World Summit on Sustainable Development, held in Johannesburg from the 26th August
to 4th September 2002, marked the tenth anniversary of the ground-breaking Rio Earth
Summit.The UN General Assembly mandated the Summit to assess progress on interrelated
economic, environmental and social issues, identify gaps and new challenges (such as
globalisation) since Rio, and agree action-orientated measures to deliver real improvements in
quality of life for people around the world.
We know the problems. A child in Africa dies every three seconds from famine,
disease or conflict.We know that if climate change is not stopped, all parts of the
world will suffer. Some will even be destroyed, and we know the solution
sustainable development. So the issue for this summit is the political will..Rio of
course did not deliver everything, neither will Johannesburg, no summit can, but
this summit can and will make our world change for the better
Prime Minister,Tony Blair, September 2002
103
Global preparations
4.18
Such a complex and wide-ranging agenda required plenty of preparation to ensure that the
Summit was successful. During the 18 months prior to the Summit, global preparatory
meetings for the Summit were held in New York and at Ministerial level in Bali, Indonesia, to
set the agenda for the Summit and begin negotiating the final outcomes, which Heads of
Government endorsed at Johannesburg itself.
4.19
Early consensus was reached that negotiations should focus on commitment to global action
rather than words, to deliver the Rio Summits Agenda 21 and the Millennium Development
Goals, building on but not renegotiating recent agreements made at Doha and
Monterrey. For further information visit www.johannesburgsummit.org
UK preparations
4.20
The UK Governments strategy and priority objectives were developed, co-ordinated and
agreed through a Cabinet Committee, with Ministers from a wide range of departments
under the chairmanship of the Deputy Prime Minister.
4.21
Stakeholder involvement in preparations was important to the Government. A stakeholder

communications group was set up and Defra supported Stakeholder Forum and the
Development and Environment Group to raise awareness and encourage participation
amongst civil society and both environment and international development-focused
Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).Throughout the following section there are a
range of case-studies exemplifying the different ways in which stakeholders, of all ages, were
engaged in WSSD.
Our World
The Our World project, a joint initiative between the World Wide Fund for Nature
(WWF) and government (Defra, DfES and the devolved administrations), offered
young people around the UK the opportunity to add their voices to the debates on
environment and poverty in the lead up to the World Summit. Four Earth Champions
were selected following the schools challenge, after their original thinking on
sustainable development issues won them acclaim.Tim Green from England, Stephanie
Wiseman from Scotland, Peter Burton from Northern Ireland and Rhys Davies from
Wales attended the Summit as part of the non-official UK delegation to represent the
views of young people. In the lead-up to the Summit the Champions, aged between
seven and nine, met the Prime Minister and Defras Secretary of State Margaret
Beckett to discuss issues arising from the Our World School debates.They also played
an active role in the Summit, interviewing members of the delegation, reporting back
to the UK via the WWF website and meeting with young people from South Africa.
The voices of young people will be heard loud and clear in Johannesburg and I want them to
know now they ARE important.They are the future.We want to make the world a better place
for them and for generations to come. Its up to us all to make it work and to make it happen.
Secretary of State for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Margaret Beckett, June 2002.
For further information visit www.wwflearning.co.uk/ourworld/
104
Birmingham City Council

The UK United Nations Environment Committee asked Birmingham, Johannesburgs
partner city, to join in their young peoples initiative Your Wake up Call for young
people to meet the politicians at the World Summit and present their views on how
to make the planet a more sustainable place to live.
A four day conference was held in Birmingham in April 2002, where projects were
developed for presentation to the world leaders in Johannesburg. 100 young 14-18
year olds from UK environmental charities and schools, and 25 from
Johannesburg/Soweto came together for workshops, and wrote newspaper articles
and reports on how to make the planet a better place to live.
In Johannesburg the young people met their South African colleagues to develop these
environmental ideas, at St Johns College in Houghton.They saw at first hand the
social, economic and environmental conditions of the city.This was a learning
experience for the British and South African teenagers alike.
As well as developing the key role of young people in the Summit, Birmingham was
host to a number of national events which took place leading up to the Summit.
For further information visit www.birmingham.gov.uk
4.22
The Government website had a dedicated WSSD section providing information on the
Summit. Between May and September the site received well over 3 million hits.The
information will still be accessible as an archive after the Summit. For further information visit
www.sustainable-development.gov.uk
4.23
Reaching the Summit Johannesburg, the UK and Sustainable Development was published by
the Government to inform the domestic audience about WSSD, highlighting the global/local
links through case studies which demonstrate UK activity since Rio in both the UK and
overseas.
4.24
The carbon emissions caused by the delegations travel to and attendance at the Summit
were offset by participating in the Johannesburg Climate Legacy Project.This project will fund
sustainable development projects in South Africa to deliver both positive benefits to local
people as well as offsetting greenhouse gas emission reductions. For further information visit
www.climatelegacy.org
In Johannesburg
4.25
The Summit was attended by over 180 countries.The Prime Minister was the first world
leader to commit to attending, and was joined by over 100 other national leaders. Margaret
Beckett led negotiations for the UK.The Deputy Prime Minister, Clare Short, Michael Meacher
and the leaders of the devolved administrations also attended. Strong contingents were
present from parliament, local government, business and NGOs, and all these stakeholder
groups were represented on the UK delegation.
105
UNED-UK Committee
UNED-UK Committee, funded by Defra, took the lead in facilitating UK multistakeholder civil society input into the World Summit on Sustainable Development.
The national multi-stakeholder dialogue process has been running since July 2000,
reaching more than 500 organisations and 1,000 individuals. Dialogues have focused
around six thematic areas, as identified by the stakeholders themselves: Biodiversity
and Natural Resources Conservation, Education for Sustainable Development, Energy
and Climate Change, Population and Sustainability, Sustainable Cities and Communities,
Sustainable Production and Consumption. Uniquely the dialogues provided a neutral
space in which a broad representation of the Agenda 21 Major Groups could meet,
and develop common positions and perspectives. Consensus was sought on national
and international policy statements and on where action should be taken to progress
sustainable development at the national and international level.
UNED-UK facilitated UK civil society input into the Preparatory meetings, and the
Summit itself, through representation at the meetings, networking, and the active
lobbying of governments on the outcomes of the dialogues.The multi-stakeholder
process provided members of UK civil society with a voice at the international level
that they would otherwise have not had, it also proved an effective mechanism for
driving priority issues for the UK further up the Summit agenda. Further to this,
UNED-UK was able to report back on, and translate the international process to UK
stakeholders, enabling them to understand the dynamics of the Summit process and
therefore more effectively contribute to it.
On coming back from the Summit, UNED-UK has provided stakeholders with analysis
of the outcomes of the Summit in general and as they relate to each thematic area.
Further to this a full report on the Summit process will be provided.The dialogue
groups continue to meet, with a focus on implementation and bringing Johannesburg
home.To facilitate this, discussions around priority areas for the UK, and the definition
of process and mechanisms are currently taking place, which will hopefully assist the
Government in delivering on their commitments through collaborative working and
consultation with UK civil society. For further information visit www.unedforum.org
UNED-UK Committees Multi-stakeholder Dialogue process has been an outstanding
achievement. It has genuinely involved ordinary citizens in the process of planning for our
global future, something normally left to the high level politicians.The process should be a
model for the involvement of people in decision making on important global issues at all
levels of regional, national and international Government.
Dr Norma Bubier, Durrell Institute and Pro Narua, 2002
Specific outcomes
4. 26
Given the wide-ranging nature of the issues under discussion and the different viewpoints,
negotiations were tough.The UK delegation worked round the clock to achieve a successful
outcome.There were some disappointments but taken in aggregate the outcomes represent
a significant step forwards.The Summit produced:
106
a statement by world leaders underlining their commitment to global sustainable

development;
a Plan of Implementation, which was the main focus of negotiations, setting out the
priority actions needed to achieve global sustainable development; and
a wide range of partnerships (known as Type 2 partnerships) for action involving

governments, businesses, NGOs and other stakeholders and focused on the Plan of
Implementation.
4.27
These outcomes provide much to build on. Commitment and resources at national, EU and
UN level will be required to ensure effective follow-up. Defra is leading interdepartmental
work to define plans for UK actions at home and abroad to deliver the commitments made
at Johannesburg.The full scope of the agreements reached is too broad to report in detail
here but for the UK the key advances which will galvanise action and set standards are set
out below.
4.28
The Summit forged close links between development and environment policy, in the service
of sustainable development. Agreements on poverty eradication highlight the importance
of good environmental and natural resource management to sustainable livelihoods and the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). A paper entitled Linking Poverty Reduction and
Environmental Management: Policy Challenges and Opportunities was prepared by DFID in
cooperation with the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
and the European Commission.This focused on ways to reduce poverty and sustain growth
by improving environmental management. It drew out the links between poverty and the
environment and sought to demonstrate that sound and equitable management of the
environment is integral to achieving the MDGs.
4.29
As well as reaffirming the importance of delivering the existing MDGs and reinforcing the
importance of the Monterrey Consensus on Financing for Development, the Summit agreed
new commitments on access to water, sanitation and energy:
Sanitation a new target to halve by 2015 the proportion of people living without basic
sanitation, adding to the MDGs.This should save millions of lives in developing countries,
and support existing goals on safe drinking water and health.
Water commitment to a programme of actions to help meet the new sanitation target
and the associated MDG on safe water. Countries should also develop integrated water
resource management and water efficiency plans by 2005.
Energy agreement to take joint actions to provide reliable and affordable energy for
the poor, to underpin achievement of the MDGs.
4.30
Negotiations on trade were particularly difficult as countries had differing expectations on

what WSSD could achieve. Without prejudging the outcomes of the next trade Round and
the balance of commitments in the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) the final agreement
recognises the significance of international trade for the wider sustainable development agenda
and reinforces the mutual supportiveness of the multilateral trading system and Multilateral
Environmental Agreements.The outcome reflects the forceful emphasis placed on delivering
the DDA, particularly commitments on market access and subsidy reform.
4.31
For industrialised countries, a priority will be to elaborate on the agreement to develop a

global framework for action programmes to make patterns of consumption and
production more sustainable, and to bring development within the carrying capacity of
ecosystems. Work should focus on de-coupling economic growth from environmental
degradation. Industrialised countries are tasked with leading the way.
107
108
4.32
The current trend in natural resources degradation should be reversed as soon as

possible by implementing strategies to protect ecosystems and achieving integrated
management of land, water and living resources.
4.33
The pace of globalisation since Rio was recognised as a new challenge, offering both
opportunities and risks for sustainable development. In this context, corporate social
responsibility should be actively encouraged and promoted, including through the full
development and effective implementation of intergovernmental agreements and measures,
international initiatives, private-public partnerships and appropriate national regulations.
4.34
Countries agreed to significantly reduce the current rate of loss of biodiversity by 2010.
Action will include strengthening efforts to control invasive alien species, one of the main
causes of biodiversity loss, promoting the development and implementation of the ecosystem
approach, which is a strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living
resources, and the integration of biodiversity objectives into all policy areas. As part of the UK
contribution to global efforts to reduce biodiversity loss, the Prime Minister announced an
increase of 7 million over the next three years in the budget for the Darwin Initiative.This
programme puts UK expertise together with local partners to improve the conservation and
sustainable use of biodiversity in countries rich in biodiversity but poor in resources.
4.35
Marine protection and fisheries figured heavily at the Summit: we have a new target to
restore depleted fishstocks urgently and where possible by 2015, with enhanced action
against illegal fishing. Governments agreed to establish networks of Marine Protected Areas
by 2012 and produce a new Global Marine Assessment by 2004.
4.36
Despite strong resistance, the Summit agreed to urgently and substantially increase the
global share of renewable energy sources, recognising the role of national and regional
targets, and regularly evaluate available data to review progress. At the same time we should
be developing advanced, cleaner, and more efficient energy technologies and taking action,
where appropriate, to phase out energy subsidies that inhibit sustainable development. At
Johannesburg, the UK Government, along with around 60 other countries, joined the EU in a
commitment to set clear and ambitious time bound national targets for renewable energy
and to work together to establish regional and where possible global targets.This
commitment is enshrined in the declaration The way forward on renewable energy.
4.37
A new target tasks nations to use and produce chemicals in ways that lead to the
minimisation of significant adverse effects of human health and the environment by 2020 and
help developing countries deal with chemicals management and hazardous wastes.
4.38
Existing commitments on human rights and good national governance were reconfirmed as a
cornerstone of sustainable development, with expansion at the Summit of the Rio
commitments on public participation and access to justice.
4.39
The Summit also agreed to strengthen the way the United Nations deals with sustainable
development issues. UN agencies and other bodies should work together on sustainable
development.The outcomes of Monterrey and Johannesburg should be followed up in a coordinated manner. Sustainable development should be mainstreamed into UN and other
international institutions.
4.40
The UK and the EU would have preferred harder formulation of a number of the targets
agreed, particularly on biodiversity, but this was not possible, despite strong pressure by the
UK and EU. A target on halting and reversing the trend in loss of natural or environmental
resources, reconfirming in a global forum other targets such as the OECD target would have
given a strong message. Similarly, the UK and EU were pushing for concrete targets on
increasing renewable energy use either at national or global level.
4.41
As well as the formal Johannesburg Commitment, the Summit gave momentum to sustainable
development issues more generally and precipitated unprecedented media attention.
Featuring the Future Raising media interest in the
World Summit for Sustainable Development
This project, a partnership between FUTERRA and the Government, sought to better
co-ordinate publicity, media outreach, and other communication around the WSSD.
FUTERRA and the Government identified many organisations developing
communications initiatives and media briefings for the period of the Summit and
beyond.The Featuring the Future project found media channels for these initiatives.
Directory of Stories for WSSD A fully searchable database of UK organisations
undertaking communications activities for WSSD was created. Hosted on
www.sustainable-development.gov.uk the Directory had over 200 organisational
profiles by the time WSSD commenced. Journalists and other interested parties used
the database to find stories, ideas and interviewees for Summit articles.
Featuring the Future Event held in the new Greater London Authority building,
this event had a unique casual format for matchmaking media and stakeholders. Defra
and other stakeholders met with national and regional media (print, broadcast and
on-line) to raise the profile of the World Summit for Sustainable Development.
For further information visit www.futerracom.org
Partnerships
Perhaps the most innovative feature of the Summit was the emphasis on
partnerships between governments, civil society and business. Some criticised
business involvement, but partnerships are essential if we are to achieve the
targets weve set ourselves for example, to help improve access to clean water
and energy. Governments cant deliver these services on their own, though
development co-operation can help establish the necessary regulatory framework
for business to deliver what is required.
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,
Margaret Beckett, September 2002
4.42
One of the most important outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development
was the large number of partnerships that were developed between governments and civil
society, including business and NGOs.
4.43
In the UK it has long been understood that governments alone cannot deliver sustainable
development; that mobilising the resources, skills and energies of others is vital. However,
formal recognition of this within the United Nations, an intergovernmental body, is a major
step forward.
109
Sustainable Tourism Initiative

Tourism can bring real economic gains. But there are opportunities to increase the
benefit to local communities and limit adverse impacts on the environment.The
Sustainable Tourism Initiative (STI) aims to create a step-change in the implementation
of sustainable tourism practices by the UK outbound tourism industry and to build
foundations for continual improvement and engagement. Over forty organisations are
engaged in the initiative: tour operators, including 90 per cent of the outbound
package tourist industry, NGOs and government.The STI has also established a
partnership with the Tour Operators Initiative supported by the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP).This embraces 25 tour operators in European and
other countries. A comprehensive action plan for the STI has been developed and
endorsed by stakeholders.This action plan focuses on work with destinations to
ensure that tourism expenditure leads to sustainable livelihoods, while systematic
work with supply chain partners limits resource consumption, protects the natural
environment and promotes the transfer of leading edge technology. Structured
communication programmes will promote sustainable behaviour by tourists.
4.44
These partnerships are not a substitute for strong leadership and commitment by
governments. However, they are an important vehicle for implementation involving all
relevant actors.
4.45
Over 300 partnerships were launched at the Summit, representing considerable additional
financial, technical and human resources towards achieving sustainable development.This
includes the five sectoral initiatives launched by the Prime Minister in March 2001, in financial
services, water and sanitation, forestry, energy, and tourism, and the European Union
partnerships on water and energy, among others.
CETISA partnership
The overall objective of the CETISA partnership (which is being led by the Royal
Institute of International Affairs, RIIA) is to bring together universities, research
organisations and governments from Africa and other countries, along with intergovernmental organisations, businesses and civil society groups to design and establish
a network of sectorally-focused, regional Centres of Excellence for Technological
Innovation for Sustainability in Africa (CETISA).
Following the launch of the CETISA partnership at WSSD, RIIA plans to take the
process of developing the proposals for the Centres of Excellence forward through a
series of three high-level international workshops which will be held in the first threequarters of 2003.The workshops will bring African stakeholders from governments,
academia, the private sector and civil society together with experts and donors from
the rest of the world for the purpose of developing detailed proposals for establishing
centres of excellence for technological innovation to meet Africas freshwater and
energy needs.
4.46
110
We and all of our partners in these initiatives are committed to ensuring that they deliver
real measurable progress on the ground, significantly improving the quality of life of people
around the world.
The Partnership for Principle 10

The UK has signed up to PP10 which aims to implement Rio Principle 10 and
endorses the provisions of the Aarhus Convention.This commitment strengthens
existing UK commitments:
to make new Environmental Information Regulations (EIRs) as soon as possible.

We have just completed consultations on new draft Regulations;
to ratify the Aarhus Convention.This means ensuring that all parts of the UK meet
the requirements of the three pillars of the Convention; and
continuing to play a role in negotiations within the Aarhus Convention (including
work on genetically modified organisms and Pollution Release and Transfer
Registers), and on work within the EU.
As part of this partnership work, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will have
responsibility for helping to roll out the PP10 agenda around the world outside the
UNECE region.
The First Meeting of Parties to the Aarhus Convention

4.47
The first Meeting of Parties to the Aarhus Convention the United Nations (UN/ECE)
convention on access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to
justice in environmental matters was held in October 2002. UK Environment Minister
Michael Meacher was a keynote speaker at the event.
We are all committed to the Aarhus Convention. We all want to make Aarhus
work. We know experts do not always have all answers. The public often have
local knowledge and experience which can contribute to better decisions. They
also often have a more long term interest in the outcome of decisions which can
affect their neighbourhood and lives of their children and their childrens
children.
Minister for Environment, Michael Meacher, October 2002
4.48
The UK has played an important role in successfully taking the Aarhus Convention forward to
its First Meeting of Parties, including development of the Conventions financial arrangements
and reporting requirements. Production of a Europe-wide handbook on Access to Justice was
also supported by the UK.The First Meeting of Parties to the Convention adopted innovative
Rules of Procedure reflecting the special status of civil society under the Convention and a
Compliance Mechanism which breaks entirely new ground, providing a fully independent
compliance committee that may be approached by members of the public.
111
4.49
The First Meeting of Parties signed up to a new work programme.This includes:
work on developing guidelines for public participation in other international fora;
a task force on Access to Justice in Environmental Matters;
a task force on Electronic Tools;
a working group on genetically modified organisms (GMOs);
continuing work on Pollution Release and Transfer Registers (PRTRs) to bring in a

protocol at Kiev in spring 2003;
a working group to explore options on funding; and
a clearing house mechanism to support the work on embedding access to

environmental information, public participation and access to justice in the legislation and
administration practices of countries within the UNECE region and to help raise
awareness of rights and responsibilities under the Convention.
For further information visit www.unece.org/env/pp/
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Achieving

Achieving a better quality of life

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

SECRETARY OF STATES FOREWORD

CHAPTER ONE Strategic Direction

Devolved administrations and the English Regions

Sustainable Development in Government

Environmental Audit Committee

Sustainable Development Commission

CHAPTER TWO Guiding Principles and Approaches

Transparency, information, participation and access to justice

Using scientific knowledge

The precautionary principle

Taking a long term perspective

CHAPTER THREE Headline Indicators

H4 Poverty and social exclusion

H10 Air quality

H11 Road traffic

H12 River water quality

H14 Land use

Further work on indicators

CHAPTER FOUR International Co-operation and Development

Tackling global poverty

Promoting a fair and open trade system

Financing for Development

World Summit on Sustainable Development

The First Meeting of Parties to the Aarhus Convention

Achieving a better quality of life Review of progress towards sustainable development

Achieving a better quality of life Review of progress towards sustainable development

the devolved administrations;

public bodies and local authorities; and

the private sector and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Building on the extensive material on the Governments sustainable development website

the World Summit on Sustainable Development, held in Johannesburg in August and

the International Conference on Financing for Development held in Monterrey in March,

a strengthening of the commitment to sustainable development at a Government and

key developments within Government departments, such as the launch of the

Achieving a better quality of life Review of progress towards sustainable development

ten green lights, indicating significant improvement (significant change in direction of

five amber lights indicating no significant change;

one assessment for which there are no comparable data.

social progress which recognises the needs of everyone;

Taken as a whole, the negotiations at Johannesburg were a success. Johannesburg recognised

Achieving a better quality of life Review of progress towards sustainable development

But as well as working with developing countries to encourage all development to be

Devolved administrations and the English Regions

Sustainable development in Scotland

The Scottish Executive is committed to sustainable development it has been a central

The Executives commitment to sustainable development is driven forward by the Cabinet

developing ways to measure progress towards sustainable development;

setting up a Sustainable Development Forum to build broad partnerships to work

appointing a third external member to CSCSS.

Achieving a better quality of life Review of progress towards sustainable development

Meeting the Needs

World Summit on Sustainable Development

Sustainable development in Northern Ireland

In addition, the Department of the Environment consulted on proposals for a sustainable

Sustainable development in Wales

Last years annual report outlined:

Achieving a better quality of life Review of progress towards sustainable development

particular initiatives taking place in Wales, and

Funding for a Pan-European Regional Network on Sustainable Development was confirmed

Achieving a better quality of life Review of progress towards sustainable development