State of the natural environment in the North East
The natural environment matters. The State of the Natural Environment report 2008 brings together for the first time the evidence we have about the current situation in our natural environment.
The report demonstrates that the natural environment in England is much less rich than 50 years ago and remains under pressure from a significant range of threats. It identifies the impact of those threats on our landscapes and biodiversity.
Why it matters
The state of the natural environment matters to everyone in the North East. It is an essential regional asset that provides the foundations for our economic and social well being.
A healthy natural environment provides essential public services, such as
- Clean air, clean water and productive soils
- Support for economic activity and sustainable energy production
- Security against the impacts of climate change
- A natural health service, contributing to people's health and wellbeing
- Places to experience and enjoy the natural world
The North East report
The State of the Natural Environment in the North East report
calls for a new approach to managing the natural environment of North East England.
The report examines how the quality and diversity of the landscapes and wildlife across the North East - from the Pennine moors in the west to the North Sea coast, and from the Cheviot Hills in the north to the Tees estuary in the south - are coming under ever-increasing pressure from development and climate change.
The report brings together a selection of evidence about the natural environment in the North East and concludes that the most important issues facing the natural environment of the region are:
- Climate change
- Development pressures
- The need to reconnect people in the region with the natural world
- Greening the region’s economy
It also demonstrates through a series of case studies the value of the natural environment and highlights some of the actions Natural England is taking to improve the region’s environment, local communities and economy.
Through Local Biodiversity partnerships and the North East Biodiversity Forum we will address the continued decline in some priority habitats and species caused by inappropriate land management practices and other factors and face the additional challenges posed by climate change. We will support this by targeting Environmental Stewardship resources at priority areas. With landscape-scale partnerships that lie outside designated areas, such as the Limestone Landscapes Partnership, Natural England in the North East will meet obligations arising from the European Landscape Convention.
We will engage with local planning authorities and other stakeholders, in particular in the proposed New Growth Points, to plan for and develop Green Infrastructure networks. Central to this will be our work with partners to maintain, enhance or create local green spaces, aligning our work with the priorities on Environmental Infrastructure as identified in the North East Strategy for the Environment.
Related report
State of the Natural Environment 2008
