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New investment approach announced to involve private sector in environmental projects, helping to tackle climate change and restore nature.

Four projects which will protect and restore valuable habitats have been selected to receive funding in a pilot scheme to encourage sustainable private sector investment in our natural environment.

Defra, the Environment Agency (EA), Esmée Fairbairn Foundation (EFF) and Triodos Bank UK have formed a collaboration to support environmental projects to create sustainable funding...

The report is the result of the many successes of Borders environmental charity, Tweed Forum in addressing the threats posed by harmful invasive plant species throughout the River Tweed catchment and is a great example of best practice.

The publication has been funded by The Prince of Wales’s Charitable Fund, the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and The Rivers Trust, to help tackle invasive plant species such as Giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed, Himalayan balsam and American skunk cabbage, which are...

Water is crucial for the survival of all life and a diversity of species can be found in freshwater habitats. At the water’s edge, the boundaries between the terrestrial and aquatic worlds bleed gradually into each other, producing a range of microhabitats that semi-aquatic species such as frogs and birds inhabit. An even greater number of species occupy ponds dominated by water plants, or the rushing rapids of a river’s interior.

Freshwater ecologists have meticulously documented the biodiversity found in and around freshwaters...

The consultancy will be working with Environment Agency to restore UK rivers and wetlands, and support natural flood management.

On EcoSF3, Atkins will support the delivery of river restoration; wetland management and restoration; natural flood management; geomorphological services; and ensure fish passage improvements across England. Atkins’ role on the framework centres around the...

WATER CHALLENGES IMPACT THE WHOLE EUROPEAN SOCIETY

Every aspect of our lives depends on water and through the Paris Agreement, the Sustainable Development Goals, the Aichi Agreement and more recently the European Green Deal, countries strive to address water related issues. However, according to the 2019 UN Water Report, Europe still has work to do to achieve SDG6, providing clean water and sanitation for all. In fact, the more recent 2020 report underlines that European society is facing pressing challenges regarding both water...

With the cruise ships gone and the souvenir stalls closed, the coronavirus lockdown has transformed La Serenissima’s waterways

Look down into the waters of the Venice canals today and there is a surprising sight – not just a clear view of the sandy bed, but shoals of tiny fish, scuttling crabs and multicoloured plant-life.

“The water is blue and clear,” said Gloria Beggiato, who owns the celebrated Metropole Hotel a few steps from St Mark’s square and has a view over the Venice lagoon. “It is calm like a pond, because...

The COVID-19 is a wake-up call which stresses on how the European Union and its Member States are not well prepared for cross-boundary and cross-sectoral crises. Water has been identified as a key structural risk for our society for 9 years now with one of the 5 strongest severity of impact as a potential source and multiplier of disasters for our economy, people and our environment. Particularly, this crisis clearly points out the importance of the water-health nexus. 

Source: Water Europe

Government announces new formula for allocating funding for flood and coastal defences across England.

With the fifth wettest autumn ever recorded, rainfall records broken across England and the major storms Ciara and Dennis striking the UK in February, this winter saw the devastating impacts that severe weather can bring. The exceptionally wet weather saw thousands of homes flooded and lives disrupted in communities up and down the country. Since then the government has been working flat out alongside the Environment Agency and...