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Integrating decarbonisation strategies for road transport and electricity is vital to minimise the overall cost of meeting the carbon target. This integration maximises the synergy across different energy sectors to improve the value and utilisation of investment, especially in low-carbon technologies across all sectors. This study presents an integrated multi-energy optimisation model to evaluate the economic performance and system implications of different road-transport decarbonisation strategies and analyse the synergy with the power sector decarbonisation. The large-scale optimisation model is formulated to consider the interactions across electricity, hydrogen, and transport sectors and used to determine the optimal solutions for investment and sector-coupling operation in the system. The proposed model is tested using a range of transport decarbonisation scenarios considering the deployment of electric or hydrogen vehicles or their combination and the integration with the power system. The studies analyse the economic performance and optimal energy system portfolios across different scenarios. The results demonstrate the importance of road-transport and power-to-gas integration in Great Britain's future energy system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article considers the unwieldy state of UK environmental legislation in 2013, after 25 years of innovation, ad hoc reform and political change. It shows that an appraisal of UK environmental legislation involves considering much more than primary legislation emanating from Westminster—secondary legislation, devolved legislative instruments, policy documents and administrative norms all serve to constitute and inform the legislative picture. Through this wide analytical lens, the article considers legal problems that characterise UK environmental legislation today, from undermining of the rule of law due to its inaccessible complexity, to occupying an awkward place in public law terms. A particular problem is the fragmentation of legislation, and the article examines the case for integrating environmental legislation in a way that does not undermine the flexibility and institutional expertise that more focused legislation allows. The article offers not only a method for analysing the current UK environmental legislative landscape, but suggests routes for reform that might now be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Bayer, E., Barnes, R. A., and Rees, H. L. 2008. The regulatory framework for marine dredging indicators and their operational efficiency within the UK: a possible model for other nations? – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1402–1406.The use of indicators within marine policy and legislation is a developing phenomenon worldwide. As governments begin to take a more holistic approach to marine management, it is inevitable that economic and social goals will increasingly become enshrined in environmental regulations. Consequently, it is imperative to reach an understanding as to how scientific, economic, and social goals are interconnected, and how they influence indicator development. Arguably, a more integrated framework is needed to provide policy-makers and legislators with a coherent approach to applying marine indicators within the context of sustainable development. We examine a variety of indicators used in support of the environmental management of the UK marine aggregate-extraction industry and discuss the current UK regulatory framework in relation to the requirements of two EC directives. Additionally, we explore the depth to which interfacing occurs between various policy goals (i.e. scientific, social, economic, and legal). The study highlights the importance of good communication between the various government agencies and disciplines to better achieve sustainable-development objectives. If effective interfacing can be achieved, with scientific aims properly embedded within policy and legislative agendas, then the UK could provide a useful regulatory model for other Member States. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper examines energy alternatives in the UK and worldwide to reduce CO[sub 2], SO[sub 2], and NO[sub x] emissions up to the year 2020: environmental mechanisms in restructured markets, future energy alternatives, green electricity, energy efficiency, and pricing. At the outset, world energy resources, nonfossil resources, world energy demand, and the role of existing and planned mechanisms to achieve environmental benefits in restructured electricity markets are reviewed. Technological and institutional challenges of real, long-term reductions in carbon dioxide and other emissions from the electric sector are discussed. The paper then focuses on renewable energy in the UK, the green pool, and trends in power marketing considering green pricing programs, and public policy for renewable energy. Considered is trends in energy supply structure: energy consumption and CO[sub 2] release, role of nuclear power, and European efforts for controlling CO[sub 2] emissions. The main part of the paper presents a case study on ensuring future energy alternatives for the UK based on simulations. Tables are presented illustrating basic technological aspects of a number of alternative energy mix strategies devised to meet the UK's electric service requirements where CO[sub 2], SO[sub 2], and NO[sub x] emissions are addressed. They combine the introduction of new natural gas-fired combined-cycle generation with alternate levels of demand side management-predominantly technology driven conservation, and for some of the strategies, wind power, tidal power, and hydro power from Iceland is included. Each class of technologies is phased in during the 20-year study period of 1999-2020. Comparative values for CO[sub 2], SO[sub 2], and NO[sub x]emissions are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecological and amenity values of fresh still waters do not depend primarily upon the size or permanence of the water body. The ecological importance of still waters may be recognized by global, European, national or local legislation or agreements. However, non-designated still waters may also be of great importance, both to their local human population and through their contribution to ecological processes. In particular, small still waters, whilst individually of low importance at the national scale, may nevertheless have a disproportionately high ecological and/or cultural value at the local scale. The uses to which we put our still water resources, and the land within their upstream catchments, exert pressure on both ecological and utility values. Historically, still-water protection has been addressed on a reactive basis. Although a considerable, and largely under-utilized, armory of powers exist for their protection, resource limitations place real constraints upon the effort that regulatory Authorities can expend upon still waters. Broader public awareness and ownership of the key issues and values, and of the underpinning legislation, must therefore form part of protective strategies for the future. The Environment Agency has a key role to play in this education process, which may represent a cost-effective means for it to discharge its responsibilities to the water environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although Britain has no legislation regarding strategic environmental assessment (SEA), SEA guidance exists and various forms of SEA are carried out: 'environmental appraisals ' of development plans, 'environmental profiles' of European Structural Fund applications, ad hoc SEAs for specific sectors, and SEAs for Cabinet decisions. These are characterized by their qualitative approach, relative brevity, and lowcost. This article begins by reviewing British SEA guidelines. The status of environmental appraisal of development plans is discussed inmore detail, based on a series of questionnaires of all U.K. local authorities that queried: the current stage of their appraisal, who carried it out, what techniques were used, what were thought to be the costs and benefits of environmental appraisal, and advice on carryingout all appraisal. The article concludes with a brief discussion of the benefits and limitations of Britain's 'streamlined' form of SEA. (c) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental assessment (EA) has been a feature of UK planning legislation and practice since 1988. This paper presents data on 40 case studies in order to provide an overview of the process to date. The various findings are presented for each stage of the EA process, and are compared with results previously published elsewhere. The study indicates that the performance of environmental assessment in the UK ismixed; however, the overwhelming response was that it had been of benefit. The research undertaken indicates a number of steps that couldbe taken to improve the process further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]