Policy

UK Climate Change Risk Assessment 2017 Evidence Report

NWCF

The Committee on Climate Change have released their Synthesis report, UK Climate Change Risk Assessment 2017 Evidence Report (CCRA): priorities for the next five years. Key messages from the report detail that: The global climate is changing, with greenhouse gas emissions from human activity the dominant cause. Global emissions will need to peak soon and then […]

Marine Planning: A Guide for Local Councils Published

NW Coastal Forum

The Marine Management Organisation has published a guide for local authorities to support the use and understanding of marine plans and marine planning, the interaction with terrestrial planning and how marine plans should be used. It emphasises the need to consider marine planning and the impact on marine waters when making planning decisions for the […]

Results of EC’s Ocean Governance Consultation Published

NW Coastal Forum

The European Commission has published a summary of the consultation responses received in response to its International Ocean Governance consultation which ran from June to October 2015. The consultation sought views on what the EU can do to promote the sustainable use of seas and oceans and preserve internationally shared marine resources and how it […]

MSFD: UK Programme of Measures published

NW Coastal Forum

The Marine Strategy Framework Directive requires all EU Member States to achieve Good Environmental Status (GES) in their marine waters by 2020. The UK’s Marine Strategy sets out how this will be achieved in UK waters and comprises 3 parts; part one sets out targets, part two sets out indicators and the newly published part […]

Marine plans in England: Defra’s progress report for 2009 to 2015

NW Coastal Forum

Defra has provided Parliament with the first six year progress report on marine planning  in England which is a reporting requirement of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. It was laid before Parliament on 5th November 2015. It is short and succinct as only one set of plans (East Inshore and East Offshore) have yet […]

Consultation: International Ocean Governance

NWCF

Closes 15th September 2015. The European Commission has opened a consultation to review how the EU could improve its international governance over the European seas and oceans to enhance sustainable blue growth. The importance of ocean governance is increasing due to growing utilisation of marine resources and the failure to comply with rules, regulations and […]

Wildlife Trust and RSPB proposes “Nature and Well-being Act” – 2015

NWCF

The Wildlife Trust and Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) have teamed together to propose a piece of legislation entitled “Nature and Well-being Act” to facilitate the recovery of nature and enhance human well-being. The proposal is supported by more than 20 partner organisations, all believing that the restoration of nature should be a […]

Scotland’s National Marine Plan Published

NW Coastal Forum

Scotland’s first National Marine Plan was adopted on 25 March 2015 and laid before the Scottish Parliament on 27 March 2015 Setting out a single statutory planning framework for all marine activity – existing and emering, including devolved and reserved functions – within Scottish waters, the plan covers Scotland’s seas to the 200 nautical miles boundary and has a 3 […]

DEFRA published report reviewing conduct and operations of IFCA 2010-2014

NWCF

As a requirement of the Marine and Coastal Act 2009, The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs published a report in March 2015 reviewing the conduct and operations of ten English Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCA’S) over a four year period (2010 to 2014). The report presents the legislative context in which IFCA […]