7 Environment and Natural Resources

Issues and Priorities

• Climate change is the most important pressure on the South West’s environment and we are already starting to see its impact. Sea level rise could be higher here than in any other region (UKCIP, 2006 ). During the last 100 years average annual temperature in the region has increased by about 0.8°C - 0.9°C, in line with global temperature trends. Despite considerable action already underway, it is impossible to stop the inevitable climate change that will happen over the next 40 years. During this time the region will experience an increase of  extreme events, such as storminess, flooding, heatwaves and drought, such as those seen during 2006.

• Almost 2.97 million tonnes of municipal waste was produced in the South West during 2006/2007. This accounted for just over 10% of the English total of 29.14 million tonnes.  Total municipal waste in the region increased by just under 11% since 2000/2001, from just under 2.68 to 2.97 million tonnes in 2006/2007.  The sustainable management of this waste represents an ongoing and significant challenge for the region.  Just over 1.8 million tonnes (62%) of municipal waste was sent to landfill in the region in 2006/2007, this was slightly higher than the English average of 58%.  Although there has been a positive move away from reliance on landfill in the region, from 82% in 2000/2001 to 62% in 2006/2007, there is still a long way to go.  The South West needs to actively reduce the amount of waste it produces to stop continued growth eating into the improving recycling performance. The region also needs to recover more value from the residual waste after recycling as much as it sensibly can.

• The region remains dependent on traditional fossil fuels for most of its electricity generation and around 25% of carbon dioxide, (the most important greenhouse gas), is thought to come from energy use in the home. Domestic gas consumption in the South West was the lowest in Great Britain in 2005, which may influence the fact that our average electricity consumption was higher than in any other region.

• The Ecological Footprint shows that if everyone on the planet consumed natural resources and energy like the average South West resident, it would take three planets to support us. This clearly shows that we are living beyond environmental limits. The South West eco-footprint is 5.24 global hectares (gha), well-above the world average of 2.2 gha and our 'fair share' of 1.8 gha. Home and energy is responsible for 22% of our eco-footprint, food 20%, travel 17%, consumables 11% and services 7%. The footprint for travel and services is currently above the national average. A key objective of sustainable development is to move from a three planet lifestyle to what the World Wildlife Fund calls 'One Planet Living'. This will require decoupling economic growth from an increasing eco-footprint.