Planning for the Environment, Minerals, Waste and Energy

Promote an integrated approach to delivering a better environment through land and water management. 

To support the Regional Spatial Strategy we have worked with the Environment Agency to develop a Regional Flood Risk Appraisal:

• Final Regional Flood Risk Appraisal (October 2008)

  RFRA - Appendix 1_RFRA Update and LPA Survey

  RFRA - Appendix 2_RFRA Rankings

  RFRA - Appendix 3_Predicted change in levels by LA 

Create multi-functional networks of green spaces. 

With a range of regional partners we have been involved in developing a Green Infrastructure Guide for the North West.  The Guide provides information on the concept of Green Infrastructure and initial guidance on producing a Green Infrastructure Plan. 

Two additional pieces of work have been completed by Natual Economy North West:

• The Economic Benefits of GI - the case for investing in GI
• The Economic Benefits of GI - Developing key tests

Produce a concise waste strategy that breaks the links between economic growth and the environmental impact of waste, increase recycling rates and encourage communities to take responsibility for their own waste. 

Regional Waste Strategy 

A Regional Waste Strategy was published in September 2004. The Strategy contributed to the sustainable development of the North West by encouraging waste management systems that will reduce waste generation, lessen the environmental impacts of waste production, and improve resource efficiency, whilst at the same time stimulating investment and maximising associated economic opportunities. The link between waste growth and economic development can only be broken through more efficient use of resources and improved waste management.  A revised Regional Waste Strategy was published in 2010.

Identification of Nationally, Regionally and Sub-Regionally Significant Waste Management Facilities in the North West

Work was undertaken to identify nationally, regionally and sub-regionally significant waste management facilities in the North West.  The work is available here. 

Regional Technical Advisory Board (RTAB)

The Regional Technical Advisory Body on Waste was established to assemble relevant data on waste, consider the implications, identify options for meeting future needs and to make recommendations which would ultimately feed into the Regional Waste Strategy and the Regional Spatial Strategy. The RTAB continues to meet and advise on regional waste issues.

The RTAB has published its Annual Monitoring reports. These reports provide the latest overview of the implementation of key actions and progress towards the objectives and targets in the Regional Waste Strategy. The reports are a record of the region's preformance on working towards sustainable waste management in the North West. 

Reduce energy demand and break the link between energy demand and economic growth, promote and exploit low carbon and renewable energy technologies and increase the amount of electricity from renewable sources supplied and consumed in the region. 

Regional Sustainable Energy Strategy 

The Strategy reinforced relevant policies in the Regional Spatial Strategy, but importantly offers practical advice and information on taking these issues forward, particularly through the spatial planning system, but also taking account of the role that businesses, individuals and the public sector have to play. The Strategy also provided an important strategic context for the North West Climate Change Action Plan.

The Strategy received a commendation from the RTPI North West & 'White Young Green' Planning Achievement Awards for 2006.

North West Climate Change Action Plan

The development and implementation of "Rising to the Challenge - A Climate Change Action Plan for England's Northwest 2007-09", is one of the 'transformational' activities within the Northwest Regional Economic Strategy. The Action Plan aims to stimulate and measure the progress of the region towards a low carbon economy, preparing it for the challenges of a changing climate and future energy demands, whilst protecting and enhancing our quality of life and rich environment. The Action Plan will be reviewed every three years. The region's success will be monitored using measures, indicators and targets and progress will be reported annually.

North West Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory

In 2007 4NW commissioned AEA Energy & Technology to produce a greenhouse gas emissions inventory and propose greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for the North West.  At the end of 2007 we produced a summary Guide to the inventory, which was available on this website.  The inventory was updated in 2008.