1. The impact of the new Environment (Wales) Act 2016 on how we address biodiversity issues in development John Ferry CIEEM Nov 201 6

Transcription

1 1. The impact of the new Environment (Wales) Act 2016 on how we address biodiversity issues in development John Ferry CIEEM Nov worldwide

2 Outline Environment (Wales) Act (EWA) origin New Biodiversity and Resilience of Ecosystems Duty Case Study - A 465 Heads of Valley road conversion Look at biodiversity in light of ecosystem resilience Challenges of mapping ecosystems Use of Ecosystem Services Assessment Trans disciplinary skills in biodiversity 2

3 EWA - Origins and Drivers UN Convention on Biological Diversity 1993 UN Millennium Ecosystem Report, 2005 Natural Environment and Communities Act 2006 UK National Ecosystem Assessment 2011 HMG White Paper The Natural Choice 2011 Welsh Environment Bill - White Paper 2014 Environment (Wales) Act 2016 Target 2 of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 Growing importance of the Natural Capital/Ecosystem Approach 3

4 EWA 2016 NERC Act 2006 Biodiversity Duty Public authorities must have regard to conserving biodiversity. But biodiversity continued to decline (NEA 2011 evidence, Welsh 2010 Biodiversity Targets not met, 2020 international commitments on biodiversity not on track) EWA 2016 Enhanced Biodiversity & Resilience of Ecosystem Duty requires all public authorities, when carrying out their functions in Wales, to seek to maintain and enhance biodiversity. In doing so, public authorities must also seek to promote the resilience of ecosystems. 4

5 Biodiversity and Abiotic factors Biodiversity - A measure of the variability among living organisms from all sources including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are a part. This includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems. Ecosystem - A dynamic complex of plant, animal and micro-organism communities and their non-living environment interacting as a functional unit. Abiotic factors and phenomena associated with them underpin biodiversity 5

6 Resilience of Ecosystems Welsh Government Goal - A Resilient Wales A nation which maintains and enhances a biodiverse natural environment with healthy functioning ecosystems that support social, economic and ecological resilience and the capacity to adapt to change Resilience The capacity of an ecosystem to respond to disturbance (usually after incurring losses) by resisting damage and recovering quickly Biological diversity enhances ecosystem resilience of desirable ecosystem states in the face of change 6

7 A465 - conversion to dual carriageway One of the first major schemes in Wales to have to comply with the EWA 2016 Biodiversity and Resilience of Ecosystem Duty 7

8 Scheme 8

9 OPTIONEERING WelTAG Alternatives EIA Topics Scoping Baseline Impact Biodiversity - species - Habitats S42 Resilience of Ecosystem Intrinsic value Benefits (ESA) Mitigation Integrate ESMP Sustainability Report 9

10 Biodiversity part of the Duty Not new Until new EWA habitats and organisms list (2017), use list of habitats and species of principal importance in Wales, prepared under Section 42 of the NERC Act (2006) A465 MITIGATIONS proposed for: Species - Otter, bat, bird, toad, GCN, marsh fritillary, lichen, clubmoss Habitat - Wet woodland, ancient woodland, hedgerow, lowland meadows, acid and marshy grassland, running and standing water 10

11 Resilience of Ecosystems part of duty No existing Resilience of Ecosystems Duty EWA Maintain and enhance the resilience of ecosystems taking account of the benefits and intrinsic value of natural resources and ecosystems; (i) diversity between and within ecosystems; (ii) the connections between and within ecosystems; (iii) the scale of ecosystems; (iv) the condition of ecosystems (including their structure and functioning); (v) the adaptability of ecosystems. WG advise Ecosystem Approach 11

12 Resilience of Ecosystem - approach EWA 2016 explicit - use ecosystem approach A strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way Characterise and map ecosystems Valuation (non monetary) Intrinsic (non-use and existence via ) Benefits ( via high level ecosystem service assessment - supporting, provisioning, cultural and regulating) Materiality if has potential to alter a decision 12

13 Ecosystem Mapping Preparing good ecosystem maps are a key challenge Spatial distribution and condition over time Maps stocks, pressures, abiotic and biotic components Proxies habitats

14 Meso Ecosystems 14

15 Local Ecosystems 16 km linear extension of existing development which traverses a mosaic of micro ecosystems interconnected to meso - ecosystems Influenced the arrangement and provisioning of settlements, primary roads, railway lines and energy infrastructure 15

16 Terrestrial Ecosystems within 500m Urban industrial and post-industrial commercial, refuse, spoil, hard standings and bare ground Grasslands semi natural, acidic, scrub, bracken cultivated, improved agro-ecosystems amenity and disturbed Woodlands ancient (limited) and semi natural broad leaved coniferous plantation and road margin Riparian 16

17 Aquatic Ecosystems within 500m Running water 58 watercourses two large tributaries and numerous minor, many artificial channels Sensitive features up to 2 km downstream of the site if they are along a flow pathway. Standing Water Reservoirs, Welsh water and Fishing Ponds Freshwater wetlands marsh, tall herb and fen, wet heath, marshy grassland, swamp riverine aquatic ecosystems. 17

18 Material Resilience Aspects Intrinsic (non instrumental, non use, existence) Water environment Ancient and semi-natural woodlands Archaeological remains, historic buildings and settings Landscape changes Benefits (instrumental use) Natural Hazard Regulation geo-stability and flooding Provisioning - Fresh Water Regulating air quality, climate regulation, water regulation and purification and natural hazard regulation (flooding) Cultural Dark skies and impact on BBNP. 18

19 Material Features 19

20 A465 Sections 5 and 6 20

21 A465 21

22 A465 22

23 Influence of Duty on Optioneering 4 route options detailed comparison which involved assessment on : Cost Traffic Engineering Economic social environmental considerations. WelTAG Assessments Phase 1 and 2 Reviews 2015 Alternatives in 2016 Incorporate Resilience of Ecosystems into WelTAG Biodiversity already there 23

24 Mitigation by Design 24.

25 Addressing biodiversity in development Biodiversity underpins the long term health and functioning of ecosystems more explicit with EWA. Abiotic factors and phenomena associated with them underpin biodiversity Ecosystem approach with ES mapping and ESA key tool to link biodiversity to resilience of ecosystems Consistent integrated cross topic assessment of cumulative effects supports more resilient, effective and risk proofed projects 25

26 Biodiversity Roles and skills WG Raise awareness about how each and every role can impact and influence biodiversity and consider measures to enhance biodiversity and ecosystems in all policies, plans and projects Requires an iterative trans disciplinary approach Occupation interactions between those who: Manage biodiversity conservation organisations and activities have a strong impact on conservation of biodiversity benefit from biodiversity and ecosystem services Particularly re abiotic factors included in boidiversity considerations when optioneering and maximising mitigation 26

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