Introduction (Environment, State of the South West 2011)

7.3.1 The South West’s environment is an essential regional asset that provides the foundation for our social and economic wellbeing.

7.3.2 We have one of the highest quality and most varied environments in the United Kingdom. Being a largely rural peninsula, the shape and nature of our region is the reason for much of what makes the South West special. However,
it can also increase the threats posed by climate change and accentuate issues arising from increasing population pressure and traffic. We are also facing a greater pressure to become more sustainable in our resource use, with reducing landfill capacity and a high proportion of carbon dioxide being produced from energy use and domestic sources.

7.3.3 This section on the environment provides an up to date snapshot of South West's environment. Additional analysis, covering a wider range of environmental issues, is available on the State of the South West’s environment website www.swenvo.org.uk, part of the South West Observatory’s network.

7.3.4 A more comprehensive State of the Environment report was published in March 2010, involving around 20 environmental organisations and voluntary groups in the region. This report focussed on improving our understanding of the main issues affecting our environment, and should be viewed alongside this chapter. It is available to download from the South West Environment website, www.swenvo.org.uk.