Environment in your pocket

The environment in your pocket 2007 1

The environmentin your pocket 2008

Published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Printed in the UK, July 2008, on material that contains a minimum of 100% recycled fibre for uncoated paper and 75% recycled fibre for coated paper.

© Crown copyright 2008

PB13185

The environment in your pocket 2008

Key facts and figures on the environment of the United Kingdom


Printed in the UK, December 2008 on material containing 75% post-consumer waste and 25% elemental chlorine free virgin pulp.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Nobel House 17 Smith Square London SW1P 3JR Telephone 020 7238 6000 Website: www.defra.gov.uk © Crown copyright 2008

Copyright in the typographical arrangement and design rests with the Crown.

This publication (excluding logos) may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium provided that it is reproduced accurately and not used in a misleading context. The material must be acknowledged as Crown copyright with the title and source of the publication specified.

Extracts of this publication may be made for non-commercial in-house use, subject to the source being acknowledged.

Applications for reproduction should be made in writing to: The Copyright Unit The Stationery Office St Clements House 1-16 Colegate Norwich NR3 1BQ

Further copies of this publication are available in an A6 pocket size version (product code: PB13185) and a larger print A4 size version (product code: PB13185A)

Defra Publications Admail 6000 London SW1A 2XX Tel: 08459 556000

E-mail: [email protected]

This is a National Statistics Compendium publication. National Statistics are produced to high professional standards set out in the National Statistics Code of Practice. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced free from political interference.

http://www.defra.gov.uk

mailto:[email protected]

3

Contents

Introduction 7

Climate change

Climate change and greenhouse gases 8Average surface temperature 10Rainfall and temperature in England and Wales 11Sea level rise at selected sites 13EU greenhouse gas emissions compared with Kyoto Protocol target 15Emissions of greenhouse gases* 16Carbon dioxide emissions associated with UK consumption* 17Carbon dioxide emissions, by end user* 18Greenhouse gas emissions from the food chain 19Carbon dioxide emissions, for local authority areas 20Methane emissions by source 22Nitrous oxide emissions, by source 23Fuel used for electricity generation 24Electricity generated by renewable sources 25Energy consumption per household, by end user 26Private car CO2 emissions and car-kilometres and household spending* 27Household car availability 28

Contextual

Population estimates and projections, by age group 29Household estimates and projections, by household type 30

4

Contents

Public attitudes and behaviours

Attitudes towards the environment and climate change 31

Global atmosphere

Column ozone levels at Lerwick and Camborne 32

Air Quality

Air quality and some important air pollutants 33Annual levels of particles and ozone in the air* 34Days when air pollution is moderate or higher* 35Particulate (PM10) emissions, by source 36Sulphur dioxide emissions, by source and targets 37Nitrogen oxides emissions, by source 38

Inland Water

Biological river water quality* 39Chemical river water quality* 40Nitrate and Phosphate concentrations in rivers 41Abstractions for the public water supply from surface water and groundwater, by region 42Water supply and leakage 43Drinking water quality 44Properties at risk of flooding* 45

5

Contents

Coastal and Marine Waters

Compliance with mandatory and guideline bathing water standards 46Compliance with guideline bathing water standards, by region 47North Sea fish stocks and stocks of North East Atlantic mackerel 48Fish stocks around the UK at full reproductive capacity and harvested sustainably* 49

Radioactivity

Radioactive waste stock 50Radioactive waste disposal 51Discharges from the nuclear industry 52

Pollution incidents

Serious pollution incidents affecting water, air or land 53Serious pollution incident sources 54

Waste and Recycling

Household waste after recycling and composting* 55Green and dry recycling rates for household waste 56Biodegradable municipal waste landfilled and targets 57Total waste landfilled and non-municipal/ non-inert waste to landfill 58

6

Contents

Land

Agricultural and forestry land use* 59Agri-environment schemes* 60Area of woodland 61SSSI habitats in favourable or recovering condition, by sector 62New homes built on previously developed land* 63

Wildlife

Status of priority species and habitats in the UK* 64Population of wild birds* 66Population of wild birds, by region 68Population of butterflies 69Spending on UK and global biodiversity 70

Annex

Explanatory notes and data tables 72

*Items marked with an asterisk are indicators supporting the UK Government Sustainable Development Strategy

7

Welcome to the twelfth edition of our annual booklet of key environmental statistics, which focuses strongly on the theme of climate change.

The environment in your pocket is intended to be an easily accessible, handily sized, reference booklet, which offers information on a wide range of environmental topics and will be useful for anyone with an interest in environmental issues. It covers almost 60 key data series and focuses on providing trends over time, including performance against quantified targets and commitments set at the national and international level.

We have revised the way in which the data series are presented, and increased the size of the text.

Explanatory notes and data tables are available in the Annex of the booklet. The explanatory notes provide more detailed technical or background information for those items where it is felt to be particularly necessary.

The booklet also draws upon the set of indicators supporting the UK Government’s Sustainable Development Strategy. The latest, updated complete set of these indicators has been published in a pocket-sized booklet: Sustainable development indicators in your pocket 2008.

The environment in your pocket 2008 is available free of charge from Defra Publications (from the address on the inside front cover). It is available in the traditional pocket-sized (A6) format and also a larger (A4) size version. The larger version contains the same information but with larger print.

Introduction

8

Climate change and greenhouse gases

The temperature of the earth is determined by a balance between energy coming in from the sun and energy constantly being emitted from the earth to space. Some of the outgoing radiation is absorbed by naturally occurring greenhouse gases, including water vapour, creating a natural greenhouse effect which keeps the surface of the earth around 33°C warmer than it would otherwise be and helps to sustain life.

Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution (around AD 1750), concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere – carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) – have risen as a result of human activities. At the same time, changes in global climate have occurred and in 2007,the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, reported that “most of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-20th Century is very likely due to the observed increase in man-made greenhouse gas concentration” and that “discernible human influences now extend to other aspects of climate, including ocean warming, temperature extremes and wind patterns”. It also concluded that we can expect a rise in global temperatures of between 1.8 and 4.0°C by the end of the 21st Century, on best estimates, and that sea level may rise by up to half a metre. Climate change scenarios for the UK suggest that the average temperature across the UK could increase by 2 to 3.5°C by the 2080s.

The UK contributes about 2 per cent to global man-made emissions of CO2, the main greenhouse gas, which are currently estimated to range between 6.2 and 6.9 billion tonnes carbon per annum.

9

Under the Kyoto Protocol, the UK has agreed to reduce emissions of a “basket” of six greenhouse gases – CO2, CH4, N2O, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) – by 12.5 per cent below 1990 levels by the period of 2008-2012. The UK Government also has a domestic goal to cut CO2 emissions by 20 per cent below 1990 levels by 2010, and is also introducing a longer term legally binding framework to tackle the dangers of climate change, through both domestic and international action, by way of a Climate Change Bill. This Bill, which is currently passing through Parliament, will put the UK on a path to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 80 per cent by 2050.

The international community is now gearing up for a further round of negotiations, culminating in the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to be held in Copenhagen in December 2009. The objective of these negotiations will be to secure a post-Kyoto global agreement for further reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, with the aim of achieving a 50 per cent reduction in global emissions by 2050.

10

Average surface temperature, 1772 to 2007

Global and Central England

A

nom

aly

in d

egre

es C

(co

mpar

ed t

o 1

961-1

990 a

vera

ge)

Central England Temperature

Global Temperature

Source: Hadley CentreNote: The chart shows difference between average yearlyCentral England temperature and 1961-1990 CentralEngland average after smoothing. It also shows thedifference between average global temperature and1961-1990 global average after smoothing.

1772 1798 1824 1850 1876 1902 1928 1954 1980 2007-1.2

-0.8

-0.4

0.0

0.4

0.8

1.2

Over the past century average global temperatures have •risen by around 0.7°C, and 2007 was 0.42°C above the average for 1961 to 1990. The warmest year since records began in 1850 was 2005 at 0.43°C above the average for 1961 to 1990.

Studies show that most of the observed warming since •the middle of the twentieth century was very likely caused by human activities. The IPCC’s Third Assessment Report concluded that global temperatures will rise by a further 1.4 to 5.8°C by the end of the 21st century.

TemperatureC

limat

e ch

ang

e

11

RainfallRainfall and temperature in England and Wales, 1845 to 2007

Clim

ate

chan

ge

England and Wales

Rainfall and temperature in England and Wales: 1845-2007

Temperature celsius (°C), difference from the 1845-1974 mean

0.0

200.0

150.0

100.0

50.0

–50.0

–100.0

–150.0

–200.0

Winter(December-February)

1845-19741975-2007

–4.0 –3.0 –2.0 –1.0 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Rai

nfa

ll, m

illim

etre

s (m

m),

diffe

rence

fro

m t

he

1845-1

974 m

ean

Rainfall and temperature in England and Wales: 1845-2007

Temperature celsius (°C), difference from the 1845-1974 meanSource: Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (Wallingford), Met Office

200.0

150.0

100.0

50.0

0.0

–50.0

–100.0

–150.0

–200.0

1845-19741975-2007

Summer(June-August)

–4.0 –3.0 –2.0 –1.0 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Rai

nfa

ll, m

illim

etre

s (m

m),

diffe

rence

fro

m t

he

1845-1

974 m

ean

12

Clim

ate

chan

ge

The charts overleaf are scatter plots of departures from •the average rainfall and average temperatures for the summer and winter periods since 1845. The plots for each of the last 32 years (1975-2007) are shown as red diamonds.

On the winter chart the recent years tend to fall more in •the top right quarter, corresponding to warmer, wetter winters. On the summer chart recent years tend to fall more in the bottom right quarter, corresponding to hotter, drier summers compared with earlier periods. This tendency is consistent with recent climate change scenarios but the climate is naturally variable and any apparent short-term trends should be treated with caution.

2007 was one of the warmest years on record with a •mean Central England temperature 1.05°C above the 1961-1990 average. In 2007 an average of 1,029 mm of rain fell across the UK, making it 12 per cent wetter than the 1961-1990 average.

13

Sea levelSea level rise at selected sites, 1850 to 2006

United Kingdom Anomaly (cm) compared with 1920 baseline

Aberdeen

-20

0

20

1850 2006

Liverpool

-20

0

20

1850

North Shields

-20

0

20

1850 2006

Sheerness

-20

0

20

1850 2006

Newlyn

-20

0

20

1850 2006

Souce: Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory

2006C

limat

e ch

ang

e

14

C

limat

e ch

ang

e

Global-average sea level rose by 10-20 cm during the •past century and it has been predicted that it might rise by about 50 cm in the next 100 years. Rising sea levels are the result of various factors including the thermal expansion of the ocean and the melting of low latitude glaciers.

The five sites shown have the longest sea level records in •the UK. All indicate a rise in historic mean sea level, ranging from 0.6mm per year at Aberdeen to 2mm per year at Sheerness. This reflects a UK sea level rise of approximately 1mm per year combined with long term geological movements (which are causing the south and east to sink and the north to rise).

15

Greenhouse gas emissions

Clim

ate

chan

ge

EU emissions of greenhouse gases compared with Kyoto Protocol target, 1990 to 2012

EU – 15

86

88

90

92

94

96

98

100

102

1990 1993 1996 1999 2002 2005 2008 2011

Index

(1990 =

100)

Source: European Environment Agency (EEA)

2008-2012 Kyoto Target


Under the Kyoto Protocol, the EU-15 has a target to •reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 8 per cent below 1990 (base-year) levels by 2008-2012.

In 2006 total EU-15 emissions fell by almost 1 per cent •compared with 2005. There was a 2 per cent fall compared with 1990.

Total emissions in the EU-27 (including the new member •states) decreased by approximately 8 per cent between 1990 and 2006.

16

Greenhouse gas emissionsC

limat

e ch

ang

e

Emissions of greenhouse gases, 1990 to 2007United Kingdom

Basket of Greenhouse gases

Source: Defra, BERR, AEA Energy and Environment

1990 1994 1998 2002 2006200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

Mill

ion t

onnes

(car

bon d

ioxi

de

equiv

alen

t)

Carbon dioxide

In 2007 emissions of the ’basket’ of six greenhouse •gases, were provisionally estimated to be 639 million tonnes, 17 per cent below emissions in 1990. (This will differ slightly from the 18 per cent reduction since the Kyoto protocol 1990 baseline which includes some adjustments).

Emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, •were provisionally estimated at some 544 million tonnes in 2007, just over 8 per cent lower than in 1990. Emissions decreased by about 3 per cent between 2006 and 2007 as a result of switching from coal to natural gas for electricity generation.

17

Greenhouse gas emissionsCarbon dioxide emissions associated with UK consumption, 1992 to 2004

Clim

ate

chan

ge

United Kingdom

Mill

ion t

onnes

car

bon d

ioxi

de

Source: Defra, SEI, ISA

1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004200

300

400

500

600

700

800

Carbon dioxide emissions

The carbon dioxide emissions shown in the previous •page are generated by activities occurring within the UK, i.e. from energy use in the home, transportation and the production of goods and services in the UK.

The carbon dioxide emissions shown above are those •associated with UK consumption of all goods and services, whether or not the emissions were generated within the UK. Such emissions increased by 115 million tonnes (18 per cent) between 1992 and 2004. They include emissions from international travel and the production and transportation of imported goods, but not emissions from production of goods for UK export.

Increasingly, the UK imports from countries where carbon •emissions per product is higher than it would be in the UK, and there has also been an increase in the overall volume and diversity of products being consumed in the UK.

18

Greenhouse gas emissionsCarbon dioxide emissions by end user, 1990 to 2006

Clim

ate

chan

ge

United Kingdom

020406080

100

120

140160180200220240

1990 1994 1998 2002 2006

*Mostly of public, industrial and agricultural sectorsSource: AEA Energy and Environment

Mill

ion t

onnes

(car

bon d

ioxi

de)

Business

Residential

Transport

Other*

End users emissions include emissions from electricity •generation and fuel processing reassigned to consumers. In 2006 the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions accounted for by business, residential users, and transport were 35, 27 and 28 per cent respectively.

Between 1990 and 2006, total CO2 emissions fell by •6 per cent. Emissions attributable to business declined by 14 per cent. Emissions attributable to residential users have declined by 5 per cent since 1990, but those attributable to transport have risen by 12 per cent.

19


Clim

ate

chan

ge

United Kingdom

Percentages are the proportion of the total emissions from the food chain accounted for by the activity.Source: Stockholm Environment Institute, York

Mill

ion t

onnes

CO

2

Fertiliser and pesticides (2.5%)

UK agriculture and

fisheries (33.4%)

Food manufacturing (8.2%)

UK freight (3.7%)Food retail (6.0%)

Catering (2.9%)

Food production

overseas (29.9%)

Transport overseas (5.5%)

Preparation, cooking & waste (10.6%)

Food shopping (2.4%)

57%

30%

13%

100

Production Trade Households

Food export (-5.2%)

Notes: Total UK food chain = 158 m tonnes CO2 equivalent.

-20

20

40

60

80

0

Total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the food •chain are estimated to have been 158 million tonnes (CO2 equivalent) in 2006. This includes the emissions “embedded” in the production of fertiliser and pesticides for use on the field, emissions arising from the stages of food production and transport to emissions from food waste in the home.

In 2006, 57 per cent GHG emissions came from the •production stages of food, including 33 per cent from UK agriculture and fisheries, 30 per cent came from net trade, which includes the production and transportation of food overseas (net of food produced in the UK which is exported to other countries). Around 13 per cent of emissions are estimated to have come from domestic food use, such as food shopping trips, food preparation, cooking and finally food waste.

Greenhouse gas emissions from food chain, 2006

20

Greenhouse gas emissionsC

limat

e ch

ang

e

United Kingdom

2006 Total Emissions (tonnes Carbon Dioxide per capita)4.6 - 6.4

6.5 - 7.5

7.6 - 8.7

8.8 - 10.5

> 10.5

There is an equal number of Local Authorities per category

© Crown copyright. All rights reserved Defra, Licence number 100018880, 2008

Carbon dioxide emissions for local authority areas, 2005 to 2006

21

Clim

ate

chan

ge

The map shows total emissions of carbon dioxide (CO• 2) in the UK allocated to Local Authority areas on an end-user basis (incorporating all industry and commerce, domestic, and land use emissions).

Estimated total CO• 2 emissions per person remained about the same (8.8 tonnes) in the UK between 2005 and 2006. There is a great deal of variation between local authority areas as a significant amount of industrial emissions are concentrated in a few areas.

Between 2005 and 2006, 42 local authority areas •experienced an increase in CO2 emissions of more than 5 per cent, whilst 35 areas experienced a decrease of more than 5 per cent. The area of Tower Hamlets in London experienced the highest increase (17 per cent), whilst Ribble Valley in Lancashire saw the largest decrease (26 per cent).

22


United Kingdom

1

2

3

4

5

6

1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006

Source: AEA Energy & Environment

Mill

ion t

onnes

LandfillAgricultureGas leakageCoal MinesOther

0

Methane accounted for about 7.5 per cent of the UK’s •greenhouse gas emissions in 2006. Total UK emissions of methane, excluding those from natural sources, were 53 per cent below 1990 levels.

In 2006 the main sources of methane were landfill sites •(40 per cent) and agriculture (38 per cent). Emissions from landfill have reduced by 61 per cent and emissions from agriculture by 13 per cent since 1990.

Methane emissions by source, 1990 to 2006

Clim

ate

chan

ge

23


Clim

ate

chan

ge

United KingdomThousa

nd t

onnes

AgricultureIndustrial processesRoad transportOther sources


1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 20060

50

100

150

200

250

In 2006 nitrous oxide (N• 2O) emissions accounted for about 6 per cent of the UK’s man-made greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions fell by 40 per cent between 1990 and 2006. The largest reduction was in emissions from the industrial process of adipic acid production between 1998 and 1999. This leaves agriculture as the main source, accounting for over two thirds of emissions, mainly from agricultural soils.

Emissions from road transport were more than five times •higher in 2006 than in 1990 as a result of the introduction of three-way catalytic converters. Whilst these reduce emissions of other harmful pollutants they have a side-effect of producing nitrous oxide.

Nitrous oxide emissions by source, 1990 to 2006

24

EnergyC

limat

e ch

ang

e

United Kingdom

Coal

Oil

Natural gas Nuclear

Other

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006

Source: BERR

Mill

ion t

onnes

of oil

equiv

alen

t

Between 1990 and 2007 total fuel use for electricity rose •by 10 per cent from 76 to 84 million tonnes of oil equivalent. Coal accounted for almost two-thirds of fuel used in 1990; this had fallen to 39 per cent in 2007. The contribution of gas increased from 1 per cent to 36 per cent in the same period.

The contribution of nuclear power peaked in 1998 at •over 23 million tonnes of oil equivalent (29 per cent), but in 2007 had fallen to 14 million tonnes of oil equivalent contributing 17 per cent of electricity generated. The contribution of other fuels (including renewables) has been small but has increased four-fold since 1990.

Fuel used for electricity generation, 1990 to 2007

25

Energy

Clim

ate

chan

ge

United Kingdom

Other

Co-firing with fossil fuels

Biodegradable municipal solid waste

Sewage sludge digestion

Landfill gas

Hydro

Wind and wave

1996 2006 20070

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

Source: DECC

Ele

ctrici

ty g

ener

ated

(G

wh)

Electricity generated from renewable sources has been •increasing steadily since 1996. In 2007, 9 per cent more electricity was produced from renewable sources.

In 2007, 5 per cent of the total electricity generated •in the UK, was from renewable sources. This figure was 4.5 per cent in 2006.

There was a 25 per cent increase in the amount of •energy generated from ‘wind and wave’ making it the largest renewable source in 2007. Previously, ‘hydro power’, was the renewable sources generating the highest amount of electricity.

Electricity generated by renewable sources, 1996 to 2007

26

EnergyC

limat

e ch

ang

e

United Kingdom

Source: BERR, Defra, BRE

United Kingdom

Per

cent

1990 2006

Space heating

Water heating

Cooking/catering

Lighting and appliances

0

20

40

60

80

100

In 2006, total energy consumed in the domestic sector •was equivalent to 46 million tonnes of oil – an increase of 5 million tonnes of oil equivalent since 1990.

The percentage of overall energy consumed for ‘space •heating’, was at 58 per cent, both in 1990 and 2006. For ‘Water heating’, this figure was at 25 per cent in the both years.

The percentage of energy used for cooking/catering •decreased from 5 per cent to 3 per cent, while the percentage of energy used for ‘lighting and appliances’ increased from 12 per cent to 15 per cent.

Energy consumption per household, by end user, 1990 to 2006

27

Car use

Clim

ate

chan

ge

United Kingdom/Great Britain

Index

(1990 =

100)

Source: ONS, DfT

Household spending(UK)

Carbon dioxide emissions (UK)

Car kms (GB)

1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 200680

90

100

110

120

130

140

150

160

Carbon dioxide (CO• 2) emissions from private cars increased by 4 per cent between 1990 and 2006.

Over the same period road traffic volume (measured as •total car-kilometres travelled) increased by 20 per cent. Road traffic volume increased in line with household spending (household final consumption expenditure) until the mid-1990s but this relationship has since weakened.

Private car CO2 emissions and car-kilometres and household spending, 1990 to 2006

28

Car use

Great Britain

One car

No car

Perc

enta

ge o

f hou

seho

lds

Great Britain

Two or more cars

1989-91 1992-4 1995-7 1998-00 2003 20060

10

20

30

40

50

Notes: Figures for 1995-7 onwards are based on weighted data.Source: DfT

Between 1989-91 and 2007, the percentage of •households in Great Britain without access to a car fell from 33 per cent to 25 per cent, while the percentage of households with two or more cars increased from 22 per cent to 32 per cent.

Over the same period, the proportion of households •with access to one car changed little – falling from 45 per cent to 43 per cent.

In 2007, 43 per cent households in London did not have •access to car, this figure was 31 per cent in metropolitan built up areas and 10 per cent in rural areas.

Household car availability, 1989-91 to 2007

Clim

ate

chan

ge

29

PopulationPopulation estimates and projection by age group, 1991 to 2036

United Kingdom

Popula

tion (

mill

ions)

0-1415-6465+

1991 1996 2001 2006 2011 2016 2021 2026 2031 20360

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Source: GAD, ONS

The population of the UK was estimated to be close to •61 million in mid-2007, and is projected to increase, reaching 73 million by 2036.

The projection indicates an ageing population: those •over 65 are projected to increase from 16 per cent of the total population in 2007 to 23 per cent by 2036. Those aged between 15-64 years are projected to decrease from 66 per cent to 60 per cent, whilst those under 14 are projected to decrease from 18 per cent to 16 per cent by 2036.

Co

nte

xtu

al

30

HouseholdsC

on

text

ual

Household estimates and projections, by household type, 2004 to 2029

England

Married couple Cohabiting couple Lone parent Other multi-person One person

House

hold

s (m

illio

ns)

Source: DCLG

2004 2006 2011 2016 2021 2026 20290

5

10

15

20

25

30

In 2004 the number of households in England was •estimated to be just over 21 million, of which 45 per cent (9.5 million) were headed by a married couple and 31 per cent (6.5 million) were single person households. The average household size was 2.3 people.

By 2029 the number of households is projected to rise •to 26.5 million, with all household types increasing in number except for married couple households. Single person households are projected to increase to 10.3 million (39 per cent of the total). Co-habiting couple households are projected to show the largest percentage increase between 2004 and 2029 of 78 per cent. The average household size is projected to fall to 2.09 in 2029.

31

Public attitudes and behaviours

Pub

lic a

ttit

ud

es a

nd

beh

avio

urs

Attitudes to the environment and climate change, 2007

England

Tend to agreeStrongly agree Tend to disagree Strongly disagree

It takes too much effort to do thingsthat are environmentally friendly

The effects of climate change are toofar in the future to really worry me

The environment is a low priority for mecompared with a lot of other things in my life

I don’t believe my behaviour and everyday lifestyle contribute to climate change

I find it hard to change my habits tobe more environmentally-friendly

50 25 0 25 50 75

Percentage of people

Negative toward the environment

Postive towardthe environment

About 3,600 people interviewed for the Defra 2007 survey •were asked whether they agreed or not with a range of statements, where agreement suggested a lack of concern or awareness in their attitude towards environmental issues.

Around a third of people agreed that they find it hard to •change their habits to be more environmentally-friendly; more people (43 per cent) disagreed with that statement. Almost 3 people in 10 agreed that they do not believe their behaviour and everyday lifestyle contribute to climate change; almost half disagreed with that statement.

The greatest difference came in the response to the •statement: “it takes too much effort to do things that are environmentally friendly”, fewer than 2 in 10 people agreed with that statement and 6 in 10 people disagreed with it.

32

Global atmosphereG

lob

al a

tmo

sph

ere

Column ozone levels at Lerwick and Camborne, 1979 to 2006

Lerwick (Shetland)

Camborne (Cornwall)

Reading (Southern England)

1979 1982 1985 1988 1991 1994 1997 2000 2003 2006

Note: The Camborne site closed in December 2003Source: Meteorological Office

300

310

320

330

340

350

360

370

Dobso

n U

nits

The stratospheric ozone layer protects us from damaging •ultraviolet radiation from the sun. It is depleted by man-made emissions of substances containing chlorine and bromine.

Column ozone measurements in the UK have fluctuated, •but generally decreased during the 1980s and 1990s, at about 3 per cent a decade. More recently it appears that the trends may be levelling out, but it is too soon to be sure. Levels of ozone-depleting substances in the lower atmosphere have been reduced since the 1980s, but the recovery of the ozone layer will take decades.

33

Air qualityAir quality and some important air pollutants

Air

qu

alit

y

For most air pollutants, the main sources of emissions •are from fossil-fuel combustion (from electricity generation, heating and vehicles).

Sulphur dioxide (SO• 2) is an acid gas and as local air pollution it can affect health by affecting the lining of the nose, throat and airways in the lungs. It also affects vegetation through acidification.

Nitrogen oxides (NO• x) are acid gases and ozone pre-cursors and can also affect human health and vegetation. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is thought to have both short and long term effects on airways and lung function.

Airborne particulate matter (usually measured as PM• 10) is very diverse and includes products of combustion, dust, grit, sea salt and biological particles. It has many sources, such as road traffic, construction work and chemical reactions in the atmosphere. Fine particles can be carried into the lungs and can be responsible for causing premature deaths among those with pre-existing lung and heart disease.

At ground level, ozone (O• 3) occurs naturally but levels can be increased as a result of reactions between NOx, oxygen and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight. Once formed, O3 can persist for several days and can be transported long distances. It can cause irritation to the eyes and nose and exceptionally the airway lining (when levels are very high), and can also damage plants and crops.

34

Air qualityAnnual levels of particles and ozone in the air, 1987 to 2007

Air

qu

alit

y

United Kingdom

Mic

rogra

ms

per

cubic

met

re

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

1987 1991 1995 1999 2003 2007Notes: Ozone index shows annual mean of the daily maximum 8 hour running mean. Pm10 Index shows annual average.Source: AEA Energy & Environment, Defra

Ozone (Rural)Ozone (Urban background)PM10 (Roadside)PM10 (Urban background)

The two types of air pollution believed to have the most •significant impacts on public health are long-term exposure to particulate matter (PM10) and daily peak ozone levels.

Annual average PM• 10 levels have been steadily decreasing since monitoring began in 1993. However, there is an upward trend in background urban ozone levels, owing to the reduction in urban emissions of nitrogen oxides, which destroy ozone close to their emission source. Between 1993 and 2007 Urban background ozone levels increased from 42 to 57 micrograms per cubic metre (µg m-3). Rural ozone levels were 67 µg m-3 in 2007, almost the same levels as in 1993, but lower than in 2006 (74 µg m-3).

35

Air quality

Air

qu

alit

y

United Kingdom

1987 1991 1995 1999 2003 20070

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Ave

rage

num

ber

of day

s per

site

Urban average days

Rural average days

Source: AEA Energy & Environment, Defra

In urban areas, air pollution in 2007 was recorded as •moderate or higher on 24 days on average per site, compared with 41 days in 2006, and 59 days in 1993. The series can be volatile from one year to the next, reflecting the variability in levels of ozone, more of which is produced in hot, sunny weather, as was the case during 2003 and 2006.

In rural areas, air pollution in 2007 was moderate or •higher for 24 days on average per site, compared with 56 in 2006. This figure has varied significantly over time, although there now appears to be a gradually increasing long term trend, mostly owing to ozone which causes the majority of the pollution days.

Days when air pollution is moderate or higher, 1987 to 2007

36

Air pollutionA

ir q

ual

ity

United Kingdom

1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005


OtherRoad transportResidentialEnergy industries

Thousa

nd t

onnes

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Coal burning, diesel combustion, construction, mining •and quarrying are the major sources of particulate emissions.

Between 1980 and 2006, total emissions of PM• 10 fell by 56 per cent (195 thousand tonnes). Over the same period, emissions from residential fossil fuel use fell by 78 per cent and emissions from the energy industries fell by 84 per cent.

Emissions from road transport increased by 28 per cent •between 1980 and the peak year of 1988 but by 2006 had fallen to 37 per cent below the 1980 level.

Particulate (PM10) emissions by source, 1980 to 2006

37

Air pollution

Air

qu

alit

y

United Kingdom

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

2nd Sulphur Protocol targets EU NECD total emissions ceiling Gothenburg total emissions target EU targets for LCPs

Total emissions

Large combustion plants (LCPs)

Thousa

nd t

onnes


Most sulphur dioxide (SO• 2) emissions come from the burning of coal and fuel oil. Between 1990 and 2006 total SO2 emissions fell by 82 per cent, from 3.7 million tonnes to 676 thousand tonnes. There are targets for reductions by 2010 to 625 thousand tonnes under the UNECE Gothenburg Protocol and 585 thousand tonnes under the EU National Emissions Ceiling Directive.

Under the UNECE Second Sulphur Protocol the UK is •required to reduce emissions to 80 per cent below 1980 levels by 2010, with intermediate targets for 2000 and 2005. In 2006, emissions in the UK were 86 per cent below 1980 levels.

Emissions from Large Combustion Plants (LCPs) fell •by 89 per cent exceeding the EC LCP Directive of a 60 per cent reduction by 2003 and intermediate targets.

Sulphur dioxide emissions, by source and targets, 1980 to 2006

38

Air pollution

United Kingdom

OtherEnergy IndustriesRoad transport


Thousa

nd t

onnes

1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 20050

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

The combustion of petrol, diesel and coal are the major •sources of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions.

Between 1980 and 2006 total emissions of NO• x fell by 42 per cent. Emissions from road transport peaked at just over 1.3 million tonnes in 1989, since then they have fallen by 61 per cent to around 515 thousand tonnes in 2006. Emissions from the energy industries fell by 55 per cent between 1980 and 2000 but they have increased since.

In 2006, road transport accounted for 32 per cent of •total emissions, and the energy industries accounted for a further 29 per cent.

Nitrogen oxides emissions by source, 1980 to 2006

Air

qu

alit

y

39

Rivers

Inla

nd

Wat

er

England

2007 monitoring network


Perc

enta

ge

of cl

assi

fied

riv

er

length

of good b

iolo

gic

al q

ual

ity

100

1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 200630

40

50

60

70

80

90

Source: Environment Agency, Defra

The way water quality is monitored in England is in a •process for transition to meet the demands of the Water framework Directive, and the number of sites in the General Quality Assessment (GQA) monitoring programme have reduced from 2006 to 2007.

In 2007, 72 per cent of rivers in England were of good •biological quality, as measured using the sites in the 2007 monitoring network. River water quality has been steadily increasing since 1990, as measured using the 2007 network or the larger network used in 2006 and earlier.

Biological river water quality, 1990 to 2007

40

RiversIn

lan

d W

ater

England

Perc

enta

ge

of cl

assi

fied

riv

er

length

of good ch

emic

al q

ual

ity



100

1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 200630

40

50

60

70

80

90


The way water quality is monitored in England is in a •process for transition to meet the demands of the Water framework Directive, and the number of sites in the General Quality Assessment (GQA) monitoring programme have reduced from 2006 to 2007.

Between 2006 and 2007 the percentage of rivers in •England of good chemical quality rose from 74 per cent to 76 per cent, as measured using the sites in the 2007 monitoring network. River water quality has generally been on a upward trend since 1990, as measured by both the 2007 network or the larger network used in 2006 and earlier. Because of the reduced number of sites in the 2007 programme, the recorded percentage of classified river length has been consistently higher when applied to historic data.

Chemical river water quality, 1990 to 2007

41

Rivers

Inla

nd

Wat

er

United Kingdom

0 20 40 60 80 100

Source: Environment Agency, SEPA, Environment and Heritage Service

199520002006

020406080Percentage of river length withaverage nitrate concentrations>30 mg NO3/l

North West

North EastMidlands

AnglianThamesSouthern

South West

N. IrelandScotland

WalesEngland

100

Percentage of river lengthwith average phosphate

concentrations >0.1 mg p/l

Plants need phosphorus and nitrogen to grow. Both of •these nutrients are naturally found in water. Higher levels of phosphorus in water, can lead to increased algal growth in freshwater. Higher levels of nitrate are of concern in relation to drinking water abstractions and can lead to increased algal growth in the sea.

Rivers with the highest concentrations of phosphate and •nitrate are mainly in central and eastern England, reflecting the geology, agricultural inputs and higher population, although there has been little change over time.

Nitrate and Phosphate concentrations in rivers, 1995 to 2006

42

Water useIn

lan

d W

ater

England and Wales

Per

cent

Source: Environment Agency

Ground waterSurface water

100

NorthWest

NorthEast

Midlands Anglian Thames Southern SouthWest

Wales0

20

40

60

80

In 2006, over 17 billion litres water per day were •abstracted for the public water supply in England. More than 70 per cent of this water came from surface water. The rest came from ground waters (the water seeped underground).

More than 70 per cent of supplies in the southern region •(roughly Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire) came from ground waters, compared with less than 30 per cent in England as a whole, one tenth in the North West and 2 per cent in Wales.

Abstractions for the public water supply from surface water and groundwater, by region, 2006

43

Water use

Inla

nd

Wat

er

England and Wales

Consumption Distribution losses Supply pipe losses

Litr

es p

er p

roper

ty p

er d

ay

Source: Ofwat

1994-5 1996-7 1998-9 2000-1 2002-3 2004-5 2006-70

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

In 2006-7, in England and Wales, more than 3 billion •litres of water were lost each day owing to leakage. This was 38 per cent less than 1994-5 level, when the highest percentage of losses were recorded.

‘Distribution losses’ includes all losses of drinkable water •between the treatment works and the highway boundary. ‘Supply pipe losses’ is leakage from customers’ pipes between the highway boundary and the customers’ stop taps. ‘Consumption’ here excludes all losses.

Water supply and leakage, 1994-95 to 2006-07

44

Drinking waterIn

lan

d W

ater

United Kingdom

Source: DWI, Scottish Executive, DWI(NI)

Perc

enta

ge

of det

erm

inat

ions

faili

ng t

o m

eet

stan

dar

ds

England and Wales Scotland N. Ireland1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005

0.00

0.40

0.80

1.20

1.60

2.00

In the UK, water companies are responsible for assessing •the quality of water supplied to their customers. The assessment process involves regular sampling of water treatment works, service reservoirs and discrete water supply zone.

In 2006, in England and Wales, over 2 million •determinations were made and 0.04 per cent failed to meet the standards. In Scotland 361 thousand determinations were made and 0.26 per cent failed to meet the standards and in Northern Ireland 112 thousand determinations were made and 0.25 per cent failed to meet the standards.

Drinking water quality, 1995 to 2006

45

Flooding

Inla

nd

Wat

er

England and Wales

Mill

ion

prop

ertie

s

Significantrisk (morethan 1 in

75 chance)

Moderaterisk (1 in 75 –

1 in 200chance)

Low risk(less than1 in 200chance)

Totalnumber

at risk

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5


In England and Wales an estimated 2.3 million properties •(9 per cent of all properties) lie in areas at risk of flooding. Of these over 500,000 are in areas where the risk is considered to be significant, that is a greater chance of being flooded than once in every 75 years.

This assessment is based on the probability of flooding •taking place, taking into account existing flood defences. It does not provide information on when flooding may be serious enough to cause damage.

Properties at risk of flooding, 2006

46

Bathing watersC

oas

tal a

nd

Mar

ine

Wat

ers

United Kingdom

Mandatory standard

Guideline standard

Perc

enta

ge c

ompl

ying

100

1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 20080

20

40

60

80


In 2008, all but 14 of the 587 coastal bathing waters in •the UK met the mandatory standards of the European Bathing Water Directive compared with two thirds of waters in 1988. Nearly two thirds met the tougher guideline standards in 2008 – one of the requirements for Blue Flag status – compared with just over 4 in 10 in 1995.

After a steady improvement from 1988 to 2006, when •almost 100 per cent bathing waters met the mandatory standards, there has been a small drop in the last two years with 96 per cent of bathing waters meeting the mandatory standard.

Compliance with EC Bathing Water Directive mandatory and guideline standards, 1988 to 2008

47

Bathing waters

Co

asta

l an

d M

arin

e W

ater

s

United Kingdom

Percentage complying


19952008Environment Agency Regions

0 20 40 60 80 100

North WestSouth West

SouthernThamesAnglian

North East

EnglandWales

ScotlandNorthern Ireland

United Kingdom

In 2008, almost two thirds of UK bathing waters met the •more stringent guideline standard of the Bathing Water Directive (one of the requirements for Blue Flag status). The number of UK waters reaching guideline standards improved from 189 out of 464 coastal bathing waters in 1995 to 380 out of 587 in 2008.

The biggest improvement in bathing water quality has •been in the Anglian region from 26 per cent in 1995 to 79 per cent in 2008 meeting guidelines standards. Compliance in Northern Ireland had fallen from 75 per cent to 42 per cent of waters meeting guideline standards.

Compliance with EU Bathing Water Directive guideline standards, 1995 and 2008

48

Fish stocksC

oas

tal a

nd

Mar

ine

Wat

ers

United Kingdom

Index

(1964 =

100)

(mac

kere

l 1980 =

100)

North Sea codNorth Sea haddockNorth Sea herringNorth East Atlantic mackerelNorth Sea plaice

1964 1970 1976 1982 1988 1994 2000 20060

50

100

150

200

250

Source: MFA

Fish stocks can fluctuate substantially over relatively short •periods and trends may vary from species to species. Most stocks have been over-exploited and some stocks are at historically low levels, especially North Sea cod.

The North Sea herring population was seriously affected •by over-fishing in the 1970s and the fishery was closed between 1978 and 1982, allowing stocks to recover. Stocks dropped by 25 percentage points between 2004 and 2006, relative to the population in 1964.

North East Atlantic mackerel remains at similar levels to •1980 stocks.

North Sea fish stocks and stocks of North East Atlantic mackerel, 1964 to 2007

49

Fish stocks

Co

asta

l an

d M

arin

e W

ater

s

United Kingdom

Perc

enta

ge

of fish

sto

cks

Source: International Council for the Exploration of the Sea,Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science

Note: Based on 20 stocks for which accurate time series areavailable, derived from stock assessment reports.

1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 20060

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

During the 1990s the percentage of fish stocks •considered to be harvested sustainably, and at full reproductive capacity was no more than 10 per cent, but had increased to 30 per cent by 2006.

An additional 40 per cent of assessed stocks in 2006 •were either being harvested sustainably or were at full reproductive capacity, but not both. However the statistics do not take account of the extent to which these and other fish stocks are harvested unsustainably or below full reproductive capacity and hence only provides a partial picture of sustainable fisheries.

Fish stocks around the UK at full reproductive capacity and harvested sustainably, 1990 to 2006

50

Radioactive wasteR

adio

acti

vity

Radioactive waste stock, 1986 to 2007

United Kingdom

Low level waste (LLW)Intermediate level waste (ILW)High level waste (HLW)

1986 1989 1991 1994 1998 2001 2004 20070

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

350,000

Cubic

met

res

High level waste

1986 20070

2,000

Source: NDA

High level waste, from the reprocessing of nuclear fuel, •increased overall by 28 per cent between 1986 and 2007 but had reduced between 2001 and 2007. Intermediate level waste, which mainly includes nuclear reactor components and irradiated metal cladding for nuclear fuel, had more than doubled since 1986.

Low level waste, which mainly includes paper, plastics, •soil and worn out nuclear workers’ clothing, is stored for a short period before disposal in special facilities. There has been an 80-fold increase in such waste since 1986.

51

Radioactive waste

Rad

ioac

tivi

ty

United Kingdom

Tota

l vol

ume

(cub

ic m

etre

s)

Source: NDA

1997 1999 2001 2003 20050

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

Low level nuclear waste

Most of the UK’s solid low level nuclear waste (LLW) is •disposed of at a nuclear disposal facility, the Low Level Waste Repository (LLWR), in Cumbria.

Overall, between 1997 and 2006 there has been a •40 per cent increase in the volume of low level waste consigned to the LLWR.

Currently, in the UK, there are no facilities to dispose of •high level nuclear waste (HLW) and intermediate level nuclear waste (ILW). The waste in these categories is kept in stores.

Radioactive waste disposal, 1997 to 2006

52

Radioactive dischargesR

adio

acti

vity

United Kingdom

Index

(1985 =

100)

Source: MOD, SEPA, FSA, Environment Agency, CEFAS, BNFLUKAEA, British Energy Generation, GE Healthcare

Nuclear power generation

Discharges to air

Discharges to water

1983 1986 1989 1992 1995 1998 2001 20040

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Radioactive emissions to air in the UK fell by 83 per cent •between 1985 and 2005 and emissions to water fell by 87 per cent. At the same time, electricity production from nuclear sources increased by 40 per cent.

A little under a fifth of overall UK electricity generated •came from nuclear sources in 2006 – a smaller proportion than during most of the period when a quarter or more was generated from nuclear sources.

Discharges from the nuclear industry, 1983 to 2005

53

Pollution incidents

Pollu

tio

n in

cid

ents

Serious pollution incidents affecting water, air or land, 1993 to 2007

England and Wales

Water IncidentsLand IncidentsAir Incidents

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 20070

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200


Num

ber

of in

ciden

ts

Water Incidents8,000

4,000

01990 2007

There were 827 serious (category 1 and 2) pollution •incidents in 2007 – a 9 per cent reduction compared with 2006 figures. There was also a 14 per cent reduction in major (category 1) pollution incidents.

Pollution incidents have been decreasing steadily since •2001. The number of serious air pollution incidents declined by 69 per cent; land pollution incidents declined by 56 per cent; and water pollution incidents declined by 47 per cent.

54

Pollution incidentsPo

lluti

on

inci

den

ts

Serious pollution incident sources, 2000 to 2007England and Wales


Num

ber

of in

ciden

ts

TransportDomestic

AgricultureSewage and water industryOther industryWaste management facilitiesOther

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 20070

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

1,800

2,000

In 2007 waste management facilities were responsible •for two thirds of all the serious (category 1 and 2) air pollution incidents and for 28 per cent of serious land pollution incidents. Overall, the waste sector was responsible of 19 per cent of all serious pollution incidents. The most common waste materials responsible for such incidents were asbestos, vehicle parts and household rubbish.

Sewage caused 13 per cent of all serious pollution •incidents and 19 per cent of water related serious pollution. The most common reasons were sewers overflowing, pipe failures and failure of control measures.

55

Waste and recyclingHousehold waste per person after recycling and composting, 1997-8 to 2007-8

Was

te a

nd

rec

yclin

g

England

2010

2015

2020

2 001-2

2003- 4

2005- 6

2007- 8

TargetResidual household waste per person

Kg p

er p

erso

n p

er y

ear

Source: Defra Municipal and Household waste statistics, WasteDataFlow

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

5001999-0

0

1997-8

A target in the Waste Strategy for England is to reduce •household waste that is not re-used, recycled or composted (referred to as residual waste) from over 22.2 million tonnes in 2000 to 12.2 million tonnes in 2020. This is equivalent to a fall of 50 per cent per person, from 452 kg per person in 2000 to 225 kg in 2020.

In 2007-8, total residual household waste was •16.6 million tonnes, this corresponds to 324 kg per person, a decrease of 28 per cent since 2000-1.

56

Waste and recyclingGreen and dry recycling rates for household waste, 1997-8 to 2007-8

Was

te a

nd

rec

yclin

g

England

Source: Defra Municipal and Household waste statistics, WasteDataFlow

2010

2015

2020

1997

-8

1999

-00

2001

-2

2003

-4

2005

-6

2007

-8

Perc

enta

ge R

ecyc

ling

rate

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

TargetDry RecyclingGreen Recycling

National target rates for reuse, recycling and composting •of household waste are set at 40 per cent in 2010, 45 per cent in 2015 and 50 per cent in 2020.

The amount of household waste collected in England in •2007-8 was 25.3 million tonnes, and 34.5 per cent of this was recycled or composted. This has increased from 8 per cent in 1997-8.

Green recycling (composting) has increased from 2 per •cent in 1997-8 to 13 per cent in 2007-8, whilst recycling of other materials (dry recycling) has increased from 7 per cent to 22 per cent in the same period.

57

Landfill waste

Was

te a

nd

rec

yclin

g

England

LATS allocationEstimated BMW to Landfill

Target

Thou

sand

tonn

es

Notes: 2001-2 is the baseline allocation, 2002-3 to 2004-5are Defra estimates based on local authority returns to theMunicipal Waste Management Survey. 2005-6 to 2007-8are the out-turn figures calculated by the Environment Agency.Source: Environment Agency, Defra

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

16,000

18,000

2010

2015

-6

2020

2003

-4

2013

-4

2005

-6

2007

-8

2011

-2

2017

-8

2001

-2

The EU Landfill Directive requires biodegradable municipal •waste (BMW) sent to landfill in England to be reduced to 11.2 million tonnes in 2010, 7.5 million tonnes in 2013 and 5.2 million tonnes in 2020.

The Landfill Allowances Trading Scheme (LATS) introduced •in 2005 aims to ensure that England meets its target under the Directive by limiting the amount of BMW that local authorities may send to landfill. In 2007-8 10.6 million tonnes of BMW were sent to landfill in England, corresponding to 78 per cent of the total allocation. BMW to landfill has fallen steadily from an estimated 13.9 million tonnes in 2004-5.

Biodegradable municipal waste landfilled and targets, 2001-2 to 2007-8

58

Landfill wasteW

aste

an

d r

ecyc

ling

England

2000-1 2002-3 2004-5 2005 20060

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

90,000 ’Commercial & Industrial’ waste to landfill

Total Landfilled

Source: EA landfill site returns, Defra WasteDataFlow municipal waste data

Thousa

nd t

onnes

In 2006, a total of 65 million tonnes of waste were sent •to landfill, this is a decrease of 19 per cent since 2000-1 when 80 million tonnes of waste were sent to landfill.

Non-municipal/non-inert waste is a proxy for commercial •and industrial waste. In 2006, 21 million tonnes were sent to landfill, compared with 27 million tonnes in 2000-1, a decrease of 23 per cent.

Total waste landfilled and non-municipal/non-inert waste to landfill, 2000-1 to 2006

59

Land use

Lan

d

United Kingdom

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

Crops &bare fallow

Grassland Roughgrazing

Otheragricultural

land

Set-asideland

Forest &woodland

Source: Defra, Forestry Commission

1996

2007

Thou

sand

hec

tare

s

Land use refers to the main activity taking place on an •area of land. Around three-quarters of the total UK land area is under agricultural uses.

Between 1996 and 2007 the area under crops and •rough grazing land fell by 5 and 7 per cent respectively. The amount of set aside land decreased by 14 per cent. In the same period grassland and the area covered by forest and woodland increased by 6 and 4 per cent respectively.

Agricultural and forestry land use, 1996 to 2007

60

Agri-environment schemes

England

Higher level stewardship Countryside stewardshipEnvironmentally sensitive areas

Thousa

nd h

ecta

res

Source: Defra

1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 20060

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

2003 20070

5,000

Entry Level Stewardship

The Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) and the •Countryside Stewardship were both replaced in 2006 by the Higher Level Stewardship (HLS). Overall nearly 1.2 million hectares of land in England were covered by these schemes in 2007.

Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) delivering simple and •effective environmental management increased by 20 per cent in area between 2006 and 2007. In 2007 ELS covered around 4.7 million hectares of land in England of which over 0.3 million was organic ELS.

Agri-environment schemes, 1992 to 2007

Lan

d

61

Woodland

Lan

d

United Kingdom

Thousa

nd h

ecta

res

Northern IrelandWalesScotland

England

Note: Figures for 1995-99 and previous years are not National StatisticsSource: Forestry Commission

1924 1947 1965 1980 1995–99

20080

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

The area of woodland in the UK has increased since the •early 20th Century from 1.2 million hectares in 1924 to 2.8 million hectares (12 per cent of the total land area in the UK) in March 2008.

As at March 2008, woodland covered around 17 per •cent of the land area in Scotland, 14 per cent in Wales, 9 per cent in England and 6 per cent in Northern Ireland.

Area of Woodland, 1924 to 2008

62

SSSIsLa

nd

England

20032008

Source: Natural England

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Perc

enta

ge

of ar

ea

Localauthority

Woodlandand

forestry

Coastal Townsand cities

Business Agri-culture

Waterand

wetlands

AllSSSIs

Sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) are intended to •safeguard the best of England’s wildlife and geology.

Between 2003 and 2008, the proportion of all sites in •favourable or recovering condition in England increased from 57 per cent to 83 per cent; an improvement of 26 percentage points. The proportion of sites in all sectors in favourable or recovering condition also increased between 2003 and 2008.

Despite the improvement, further improvement is still •needed to meet the Government’s target – to bring 95 per cent of nationally important wildlife sites into favourable condition by 2010.

SSSI habitats in favourable or recovering condition by sector, 2003 to 2008

63

Land reuse

Lan

d

England

England

Notes: Includes conversions. Up to 2002 the conversion ofexisting buildings was estimated to add three percentagepoints, from 2003 the process of estimation has beenelaboratedSource: DCLG

Perc

enta

ge

of

new

hom

es

100

1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 20070

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

0

50

100

Perc

enta

ge

NE

NW YH

EM

WM EE L

SE

SW

Government Office Regions 2007

The percentage of new dwellings arising from building on •previously developed land or through the conversion of existing buildings in England increased from 55 per cent in 1989 to 75 per cent in 2007 (provisional estimate).

The reuse of previously developed land was highest in •London in 2007 (provisional estimate) where 96 per cent of new dwellings (including conversions) were built on previously developed land, followed by the North West (87 per cent). The lowest amongst the regions was in the East Midlands (62 per cent).

New homes built on previously developed land, 1989 to 2007

64

Wildlife – priority speciesW

ildlif

e

United Kingdom

Num

ber

of sp

ecie

s

Total number of species (with known status) = 189

Source: UK Biodiversity Partnership

Declining/lostStableIncreasing

2002 20050

40

80

120

160

200

Priority species are those that have been identified as •being the most threatened and requiring action under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP).

There were 188 species and 1 species-group for which •the status was known in both 2002 and 2005. A further 194 species and species-groups either did not show any clear trend; or assessment was not done in one or both years.

In 2005, 33 species were assessed as ‘increasing’ – •up from 25 species in 2002. The number of species assessed as ‘declining or lost’ fell from 95 to 81 during the same period.

Status of priority species in the UK, 2002 to 2005

65

Wildlife – priority habitats

Wild

life

United Kingdom

Total number of habitats (with known status) = 16Source: UK Biodiversity Partnership

Num

ber

of hab

itat

s

Declining/lostStableIncreasing

2002 20050

4

8

12

16

20

Priority habitats are those that have been identified as •being the most threatened and requiring action under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP).

There were 16 habitats for which status was known in •both 2002 and 2005. A further 29 habitats either did not show any clear trend or assessment was not done in one or both years.

Out of 16 habitats with known status in both years, •7 were increasing, 1 stable and 8 ‘declining or lost’ in 2005. There was a change in the assessment of two habitats between 2002 and 2005: one moving from declining to increasing and one moving to declining from stable.

Status of priority habitats in the UK, 2002 to 2005

66

BirdsW

ildlif

e

United Kingdom

All species (115)

Farmland species (19)

1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 200540

60

80

100

120

140

Index

(1970 =

100)

Seabirds (19)

Notes: Figures in brackets give the number of speciesincluded in each categorySource: RSPB, BTO, Defra

Woodland species (38)

All bird species index for the UK (115 species) has •remained broadly stable throughout the period from 1970 to 2007. However, this is not the case for all habitat groups.

In 2007, the breeding farmland birds index for the UK •(19 species) was 48 per cent lower than its 1970 level. Most of the decline in the farmland birds index occurred between the mid-1970s and mid-1990s, but it has fallen over the last three years to its lowest recorded level.

The breeding woodland birds index for the UK •(38 species) was 22 per cent lower than its 1970 level. The most severe decline occurred in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but the index has been broadly stable in recent years.

Populations of wild birds, 1970 to 2007

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Birds

Wild

life

The breeding seabirds index for the UK (19 species) was •31 per cent higher than its 1970 level. Populations peaked in the late 1980s, since then there has been a small decline.

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Birds

England

Percentage change

WoodlandFarmland

Yorkshire & Humber

0 10 20 30 40-30 -20 -10

England

South West

South East

East of England

West Midlands

East Midlands

North East

North West

Source: RSPB, BTO, Defra

Between 1994 and 2006 farmland bird populations fell •by around 15 per cent in two regions: the South East and the West Midlands. There was a 10 per cent drop in the South west. There was no significant change in the populations of other regions, although in the northern regions farmland birds were doing better than elsewhere.

In the same period woodland bird populations similarly •showed an increase in the northern regions – by around a third in the North West and 19 per cent in Yorkshire and the Humber – and a fall in the South West (by 19 per cent) and the South East (by 10 per cent). There was little or no change in the remaining regions.

Populations of wild birds, by region, 1994 to 2006

Wild

life

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United Kingdom

Index

(1976 =

100)

Generalists (24)

Specialists (25)

Notes: Figures in brackets show number included in each categorySource: Butterfly Conservation, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Defra, JNCC

1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 20060

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Butterfly populations are a good indicator of natural •environment. There has been a 20 per cent decline in the populations of generalist species, while specialist species have declined by 57 per cent.

There are strong yearly fluctuations in butterfly •populations. In particular, there is a significant evidence of a six years cycle in the populations of generalists, although this cycle has become less apparent in the recent years.

Since 2003, the both generalist and specialist populations •have been very stable, recording only 1 per cent and 8 per cent drop respectively in their indices.

Populations of butterflies, 1976 to 2006

Butterflies

Wild

life

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Spending on biodiversityW

ildlif

e

United Kingdom

Spen

din

g(m

illio

n p

ounds

2006-7

price

s)

0

50

400

100

150

200

2000

-1

Expenditure on biodiversity in the UK by the public sectorDeflated using UK GDP deflator

250

300

350

2001

-2

2002

-3

2003

-4

2004

-5

2005

-6

2006

-7

GD

P (m

illio

n p

ounds

2006-7

price

s)

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1,400,000

Source: Defra

Spending is one way of assessing the priority that is •given to biodiversity within Government.

Since 2000-1 there has been a year on year increase in •biodiversity expenditure from the public sector in real terms, resulting in an overall increase of 76 per cent. Over the same period GDP increased by 36 per cent.

For the purposes of this measure only biodiversity related •grant money and programme expenditure has been included. The above figures do not include any associated operational costs.

Spending on UK biodiversity, 2000-1 to 2006-7

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Spending on global biodiversity, 2000-1 to 2006-7

Spending on biodiversity

Wild

life

United Kingdom

Mill

ion p

ounds

(2006-7

price

s)

2000-1Expenditure on global biodiversity by the UK public sector

2001-2 2002-3 2003-4 2004-5 2005-6 2006-7

Source: DefraDeflated using UK GDP deflator

5

10

15

20

25

0

Spending is one way of assessing the priority that is •given to global biodiversity within the UK Government, and such funds are essential for the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity in developing countries.

Only spending which is provided solely for the protection •and promotion of biodiversity has been included in this measure. This increase in the UK Government spending on global biodiversity was mainly driven by contributions to the Global Environment Facility (2003-4) and the Global Opportunities Fund (2005-6).

The above measure is made up of spending from the •Foreign Commonwealth Office, the Department for International Development and Defra. Due to the small number of contributing departments, the annual amounts are subject to large fluctuations.

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AnnexA

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ex

Explanatory notes and Data tables

This annex provides both explanatory notes and data tables. However more detailed information is available from the e-Digest of environmental statistics: www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics

Climate change

Pages 15, 16: Greenhouse gas emissions

Emissions of the basket of greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs and SF6) are presented based on their global warming potential, that is their relative contribution to global warming in relation to that of carbon dioxide.

For EU-15 the base year for the non-fluorinated gases (CO2, CH4 and N2O) is 1990 and for the fluorinated gases (HFC, PFC and SF6) is 1995. For the fluorinated gases 13 Member States have indicated to select 1995 as the base year, whereas Austria, France and Italy have chosen 1990. The EU base year estimates for fluorinated gas emissions are therefore the sum of emissions in 1995 for 12 member states plus emissions in 1990 for Austria, France and Italy.

The figures for EU-15 greenhouse gas emissions are on a slightly different basis from those showing emissions for the UK only. The EU-15 figures exclude emissions from land use change and forestry since this can currently be treated differently between countries.

EU-15 refers to the 15 members states of the European Union in the period prior to enlargement in 2004: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics

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An

nex

On the e-Digest website greenhouse gas emissions are being reported in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent rather than carbon equivalent, this is to bring these pages into line with other reporting. To convert from one to the other 12 tonnes of carbon is equivalent to approximately 44 tonnes of CO2.

Page 18: Carbon dioxide emissions by end user

The presentation of the end user breakdown sectors have changed to better reflect the sectors defined by the IPCC. Therefore the new presentation dates back to 1990 and the old (available on the website) and new data presentations are not directly comparable.

Page 19: Greenhouse gas emissions from the food chain

Included in the total emissions are those known as “embedded” emissions. When people in the UK consume goods or services they also produce greenhouse gas emissions, not only directly, for example when driving a car, but also indirectly because the production of these goods or services will, most likely, have resulted in emissions earlier in the process, either in the UK or overseas. Thus, these emissions are considered to “embedded” within the production/consumption of the food.

Pages 16, 18, 22, 23, 36, 37, 38: Emissions

Emissions estimates for the UK are updated annually to reflect revisions in methodology and the availability of new information. These adjustments are applied retrospectively to earlier years and hence there are differences from the data published in previous editions of the booklet.

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Explanatory notes and Data tablesA

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Emissions of greenhouse gasesMillion tonnes (carbon dioxide)

1990 2000 2005 2006 2007Basket of gases 771 671 655 652 639Carbon Dioxide 592 549 555 555 544

Carbon dioxide emissions associated with UK consumption Million tonnes (carbon dioxide)

1992 2000 2002 2003 2004Consumer Emissions 647 681 730 763 762

Carbon dioxide emissions, by end userMillion tonnes (carbon dioxide)

1990 2000 2004 2005 2006Business 227 196 192 193 196Residential 156 147 153 149 149Transport 141 147 155 157 157Other end user 69 59 56 56 53Total 592 549 555 555 555

Methane emissions, by sourceMillion tonnes

1990 1995 2000 2005 2006Landfill 2.4 2.1 1.5 0.9 0.9Agriculture 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.9 0.9Gas leakage 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.2Coal Mines 0.9 0.6 0.3 0.2 0.2Other 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1Total 4.9 4.3 3.3 2.4 2.3

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Nitrous oxide emissions, by source Thousand tonnes

1990 1995 2000 2005 2006Agriculture 106 101 95 87 83Industrial processes 80 48 18 9 8Road transport 3 7 13 16 17Other sources 17 15 14 15 16Total emissions 206 171 141 128 124

Pages 24, 25: Electricity generation

Figures on fuel use for electricity generation can be compared by either using the volumes of fuel input to power stations as on page 24, or use the amount of electricity generated and supplied by each fuel (fuel output) as on page 25. The fuel input basis takes no account of differences in how efficiently different fuel types are converted into electricity, or improvements in efficiency over time, but is used on page 24 because data on a fuel output basis are not available back to 1990. Therefore the two charts are not directly comparable with each other.

The fuel input for hydro or wind power is taken as directly equivalent to the electricity generated, and the fuel input for nuclear power as the electricity generated divided by the thermal efficiency of nuclear power stations. Other fuels on page 24 include coke, breeze, coke oven gas, blast furnace gas, waste products from chemical processes, refuse derived fuels and other renewable sources including wind and hydro. Direct imports of electricity from the continent are excluded.

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Fuel input for electricity generation Million tonnes of oil equivalent

1990 1998 2000 2006 2007Coal 49.8 29.9 28.7 35.9 32.9Oil 8.4 1.7 1.5 1.5 1.2Natural gas 0.6 23.0 27.9 26.6 30.3Nuclear 16.3 23.4 19.6 17.1 14.0Other 1.3 3.0 3.4 5.8 5.8Total all fuels 76.3 81.1 81.2 87.0 84.3

Electricity generated from renewablesGigawatt hours

2007Co-firing with fossil fuels 1,956Biodegradable municipal solid waste 1,177Sewage sludge digestion 517Landfill gas 4,677Hydro power 5,088Wind and wave 5,274Other 975Total 19,664

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Page 26: Energy

Energy consumption per householdPercentage of total household consumption

1990 2006Space heating 58 58Water heating 25 25Cooking/catering 5 3Lighting and appliances 12 15

Pages 27, 28: Car use

Private car CO2 emissions and car-kilometres and household spending Index (1990=100)

1990 1995 2000 2005 2006CO2 emissions 100 97 104 106 104Car-km 100 105 112 118 120Household spending 100 106 130 150 153

Car availabilityPercentage of household

1989-91 1999-01 2005 2006 2007No car 33 28 25 25 25One car 45 45 43 44 43Two or more cars

22 27 32 32 32

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Contextual

Page 29: Population projections

Projection figures from the 2006-based national population projections. The projection is sensitive to variations and influences associated with future fertility, mortality and migration.

Population (millions)

Age 1991 2007 2011 2021 20360-14 11.01 10.72 10.91 11.95 11.9415-64 37.37 40.48 41.35 42.34 43.7865+ 9.06 9.78 10.49 12.90 17.03Total 57.44 60.98 62.76 67.19 72.75

Page 30: Household ProjectionsHouseholds (millions)

2004 2011 2021 2029Married couple 9.52 9.18 8.98 8.83Cohabiting couple 1.99 2.61 3.20 3.55Lone parent 1.59 1.76 1.88 1.95Other multi-person 1.42 1.54 1.71 1.82One person 6.54 7.56 9.20 10.34All households 21.06 22.65 24.97 26.50

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Global atmosphere

Page 32: Global atmosphere

Column ozone levels in the UKDobson units

1979 1990 2003 2005 2006Lerwick (Shetland) – 337 339 320 336Camborne (Cornwall) 349 317 330 – –Reading (Southern England)

– – – 320 327

Air quality

Pages 34, 35: Air quality

Annual Levels of Particulates and Ozone in the Airmicrograms per cubic metre (µg/m-3)

1987 1993 2000 2006 2007Ozone (Rural) 60 68 68 74 67Ozone (Urban background)

– 42 53 61 57

PM10 (Roadside) – – 31 32 29PM10 (Urban background)

– 36 23 24 22

Days when Air Pollution is Moderate or HigherAverage number of days

1987 1993 2000 2006 2007Rural Average 21 33 27 56 24Urban Average – 59 21 41 24

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Page 36: Particulates

Particulate matter is commonly measured by a method that determines the mass of a fraction of the particles in the air that are most likely to be deposited in the lungs. PM10 is the particulate matter which passes through a size-selective filter set to preferentially collect smaller particles: collecting 50 per cent of particles 10 microns (10 thousandths of a millimetre) in diameter and 95 per cent of particles of 5 microns.

Particulate (PM10) Emission by SourceThousand tonnes

1980 1990 2000 2005 2006Road Transport 51 60 39 34 32Residential 94 50 29 20 21Energy industries 83 74 25 12 13Other sources 119 120 91 84 85

Page 37: SO2 emissions; page 38: NOx emissions

Emissions from large combustion plants (LCPs) include emissions from all power stations and refineries and from some industrial sources. From 1991 actual emissions have been assessed for individual large plants. Up to 1990 estimates have been made based on the estimated proportions from the relevant sources: power stations, refineries, iron and steel and other industrial sources.

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Sulphur Dioxide Emissions, by sourceThousand tonnes

1980 1990 2000 2003 2006Large combustion plants

3,457 2,934 873 733 368

Total emissions 4,775 3,717 1,198 967 676

Nitrogen Oxides Emissions by SourceThousand tonnes

1980 1990 2000 2005 2006Road transport 989 1,324 818 549 515Energy Industries 936 852 421 462 466Other 839 792 660 609 613Total 2,764 2,968 1,899 1,620 1,595

Inland Waters

Pages 39, 40: River water quality

The way in which river water quality is assessed is currently in transition to meet the demands of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD), which will provide a consistent approach to managing and monitoring environmental water quality across all member states.

In England during 2007-2009, the existing General Quality Assessment (GQA) monitoring network has been reduced, so that resources can be re-directed to implementing the WFD monitoring programme. We will continue to monitor and report against the reduced GQA network in parallel with the WFD network. The 3 years of parallel monitoring will enable us to assess the impact of the change to WFD monitoring, and in due course a new indicator will replace the current ones.

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Biological river water quality Percentage of monitoring network

1990 2000 2005 2006 20072006 monitoring network

60 67 71 71 –


55 69 71 72 72

Chemical river water quality Percentage of monitoring network

1990 2000 2005 2006 20072006 monitoring network

43 64 64 66 –


55 76 73 74 76

Page 41: Nitrate concentrations

Rivers with an average nitrate concentration level greater than 30 mgNO3/l are classified as having high concentrations in the General Quality Assessment (GQA) for nitrate. This measure enables trends and regional differences in nitrate concentrations to be shown. Average concentrations cannot be directly compared with the EU maximum admissible concentration for drinking water of 50mgNO3/l to be met by 95 per cent of samples, which is also the threshold established by the World Health Organisation.

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Percentage of river length with average concentrations of:

Nitrate >30mgNO3/l

Phosphate >0.1mgP/l

1995 2000 2006 1995 2000 2006England 33 36 32 56 60 55Wales 1 1 1 10 8 11Scotland – 3 3 – 5 3N Ireland 0 0 0 25 27 20

Pages 42, 43: water use

Percentage of abstractions for public water supply, by region

2006 Surface water GroundwaterNorth West 90 10North East 87 13Midlands 67 33Anglian 63 37Thames 66 34Southern 29 71South West 71 29Wales 98 2

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Water supply and leakagelitres per property per day

1994-5 1999-00 2005-6 2006-7Distribution losses 173 105 109 105Supply pipe losses 56 38 41 36Consumption 513 507 490 479

Page 44: Drinking water quality

Figures for 2004/5 onwards are not directly comparable to previous years because of the implementation of new Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations throughout the UK. Figures shown are tests of EU and national parameters only, as these are mandatory parameters, and the closest for comparison with previous years' data.

Drinking water qualityPercentage failing to meet standards

1995 2003 2004 2005 2006England and Wales 0.55 0.12 0.06 0.05 0.04Scotland 1.51 0.53 0.43 0.36 0.26N Ireland 1.11 0.69 0.28 0.25 0.25

Coastal and Marine Waters

Pages 46, 47: Bathing waters

Under the EC Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC), eleven physical, chemical and microbiological parameters are measured to assess bathing water quality, including total and faecal coliforms, which are generally considered to be the most important indicators of the extent to which water is contaminated by faecal material. Samples of bathing

85


water are taken at designated sites at regular intervals two weeks before and then during the bathing season. The Directive gives both mandatory and more stringent guideline values for a number of the parameters.

Percentage of coastal waters meeting standards

1988 1995 2000 2007 2008Mandatory standard 67 89 94 97 96Guideline standard – 41 45 71 65

Percentage of coastal waters meeting guideline standards

1995 2008England 41 67Wales 38 77Scotland 17 49N Ireland 75 42UK 41 65

Pages 48, 49: Fish stocks

North sea fish stock and stocks of North East Atlantic mackerel

Index (1964 = 100 (mackerel 1980 = 100)

1965 1981 2005 2006 2007Cod 116 114 20 18 23Haddock 125 59 72 57 69Herring 71 10 79 60 –Mackerel – 101 106 105 105Plaice 95 72 56 54 53

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Percentage of fish stocks harvested sustainably and at full reproductive capacity

1990 2000 2004 2005 2006Fish stocks 11 5 20 25 30

RadioactivityPages 50, 51, 52: Radioactive waste & discharges

Radioactive waste stockscubic metres

1986 2001 2004 2007High level waste 1,351 1,961 1,890 1,730 Intermediate level waste 41,887 75,276 82,500 92,500 Low level waste 2,429 14,584 20,900 196,000

Radioactivity waste disposal cubic metres

1997 2000 2004 2005 2006Total volume 9,200 8,400 12,900 12,800 12,900

Radioactive discharges from the nuclear industry index (1985 = 100)

1983 1990 2003 2004 2005Nuclear power generation

82 109 152 137 140

Discharges to air 75 68 24 17 17Discharges to water 315 25 18 18 13

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Pollution Incidents

Pages 53, 54: Number of serious pollution incidents

Number of serious pollution incidents affecting water, air or land

1993 2000 2005 2006 2007Water 7,099 835 661 605 522Air – 232 154 161 151Land – 242 241 219 222

Number of serious pollution incidents, by source

2000 2004 2005 2006 2007Waste management facilities

230 204 151 124 159

Other industry 242 146 115 107 118Sewage and water industry

156 144 166 141 104

Agriculture 256 145 130 85 72Domestic 49 44 45 41 33Transport 101 55 27 24 19Other 258 461 356 388 322

Waste and Recycling

Pages 55, 56: Household waste and recycling

Household waste includes household bin waste and also waste from civic amenity sites, other household collections and recycling sites.

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Residual household waste per headKg per person

1997-8 2003-4 2005-6 2006-7 2007-8Residual per head

440 420 370 352 324

Percentage of recycling

1997-8 2004-5 2005-6 2006-7 2007-8Green Recycling 1.6 7.6 9.6 11.4 12.9Dry Recycling 6.6 14.9 17.1 19.4 21.6Total 8.2 22.5 26.7 30.9 34.5

Pages 57, 58: Landfill waste

Biodegradable municipal waste landfilledThousand tonnes

2001-2 2002-3 2005-6 2006-7 2007-8Estimated BMW to Landfill

15,706 15,320 12,381 11,549 10,582

Total waste landfilled and non-municipal/non-inert waste to landfill

Thousand tonnes

2000-1 2002-3 2004-5 2005 2006Non-Municipal/ non-inert

27,046 22,830 22,667 22,566 20,710

Total waste 79,923 75,671 68,942 67,889 64,937

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Land

Page 59: Agricultural and forestry land uses Thousand hectares

1996 2007Crops & bare fallow 4,759 4,515Grassland 6,749 7,141Rough grazing 5,983 5,552Other agricultural land 285 291Set-aside land 509 440Forest & woodland 2,728 2,837

Page 60: Agri-environment schemesThousand hectares

1992 2004 2005 2006 2007ESAs 129 653 616 582 546CSS 46 570 531 514 474HLS – – – 83 175

Page 61: Area of woodlandThousand hectares

1924 1947 1980 1995-9 2008England 660 755 948 1,097 1,127Scotland 435 513 920 1,281 1,342Wales 103 128 241 287 285N Ireland 13 23 67 81 87

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Page 62: SSSI habitats in favourable or recovering condition by sector

Woodland covers c75,000 ha of non-Forest Enterprise owned woodland Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in England.

Local authorities covers c32,500 hectares of SSSI-notified land is in local authority ownership.

Coastal covers c290,000 ha of SSSI salt marsh, sand dunes, rocky shores, shingle and intertidal habitats.

Towns & cities covers c39,000 ha of SSSI within urban areas having a population greater than 10,000 in 1991 census.

Business covers c85,000 ha of SSSI owned or managed by commercial companies (including FTSE 350 listed companies and national utilities).

Agriculture covers c375,000 ha of farmed SSSI habitats (grassland and heathland).

Water & wetlands covers c170,000 ha of bogs, fens, grazing marshes, rivers and lakes.

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Percentage of SSSI area by sector

2003 2008Local authority 73 87Woodland and forestry 67 85Coastal 73 90Towns and cities 67 74Business 53 82Agriculture 47 82Water and wetlands 41 73All SSSIs 57 83

Percentage of new homes built on previously developed land

1989 2004 2005 2006 2007New homes 55 75 77 76 75

Wild life

Pages 64, 65: Priority species and habitats

The UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) was published in 1994 in response to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Through a series of individual action plans it established recovery targets for the most threatened species and habitats, identified the factors for their decline and prioritised the work that was needed to bring about improvements in each case. Assessment in the progress with implementation of the BAP takes place every three years.

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Explanatory notes and Data tablesEn

qu

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s ab

ou

t th

is p

ub

licat

ion

Pages 66, 68, Bird populations

Wild bird populations are considered to be a good indicator of the broad state of the wildlife and countryside because they occupy a wide range of habitats, they tend to be near or at the top of the food chain and considerable long-term data have been collected

Species included in these indices are native to the UK and have more than 500 breeding pairs across the UK. Individual species populations within the indicators may be increasing or decreasing, irrespective of the overall trends. The indicators are considered to give reliable medium to long term trends.

Bird populationsIndex (1970=100)

1971 1980 1994 2006 2007All species (115) 102.6 107.6 95.9 101.4 99.6Farmland (19) 103.3 97.2 58.8 55.0 51.7Woodland (38) 104.4 102.1 82.4 77.4 79.0Seabirds (19) 102.7 118.9 132.0 132.1 130.7

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Percentage change in populations of wild birds, by region, 1994 to 2006

Farmland WoodlandEngland –7 –7South West –10 –10South East –21 –19East of England –7 3West Midlands –17 –2East Midlands –1 7Yorkshire & Humber 3 19North East 7 9North West 8 32

Page 69: Butterfly populations

Butterfly populations are considered to be a good indicator of biodiversity respond rapidly to changes in environment and management, occur in a wide range of habitats, and are representative of many other insects, which collectively account for more than 50 per cent of terrestrial UK wildlife species. Butterflies play a complementary role to birds as an indicator, because they use the landscape at a far finer scale.

Specialists are low mobility species restricted to semi-natural habitats, while generalists are mobile species that occur in a wide range of habitats in the wider countryside.

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Butterfly populations

Index (1976=100)

1977 1994 2003 2004 2005 2006All-species (52) 54 76 88 81 77 80Specialists (25) 66 43 42 44 43 43Generalists (24) 49 82 100 95 89 80Migrants (3) 40 267 845 233 175 745

Expenditure on UK biodiversity (£ Millions)

2000-1 2003-4 2004-5 2005-6 2006-7UK public sector revised

231.9 307.6 345.0 392.8 407.8

Global public sector revised

4.6 19.9 20.3 22.4 22.7

Pages 70, 71: Spending on biodiversity

Some conversion factors

metric to metric to imperial1 tonne = 1,000 kilograms = 0.984 tons1 hectare = 10,000 sq metres = 2.47 acres1 sq kilometre = 100 hectares = 0.386 sq miles1 kilometre = 1,000 metres = 0.621 miles

(1,094 yards)1 litre = 0.001 cubic metres = 1.76 pints

(0.22 gallons)

Symbols used in this booklet

– = data not available p = provisional data

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Enquiries about this publication

This publication has been produced by Environment Statistics Service, Defra.

Editorial team: Stephen Hall, Mohammad Ali, Pat Thomas

We would welcome feedback on this publication. If you have comments or questions about this publication generally please contact us:

Email: [email protected]•Telephone: 0845 33 5577•Address: Environment Statistics Service, Defra, 5th Floor, •Ergon House, Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 2AL

Website addresses:

The environment in your pocket 2008: www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/eiyp/index.htm

e-Digest of Enviromental Statistics: www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/index.htm

Indicators of Sustainable Development www.defra.gov.uk/sustainable/government

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/eiyp/index.htm

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/index.htm

http://www.defra.gov.uk/sustainable/government

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