South East residents are recycling and composting more but our efforts are undermined by the continuing increase in the region's waste, reveals a new report from the South East England Regional Assembly.

Another mixed message is the evidence that residents are using less water and more renewable energy to help tackle climate change, but are not reducing carbon emissions from car travel. The Assembly's annual Regional Monitoring Report tracks how well the region is performing against environment, transport, housing and economic targets.

Chairman of the South East England Regional Assembly, Cllr Keith Mitchell, said:

"We can see positive behaviour change in water use and recycling but new data also highlight areas where we must do better. We must find better ways to lead a more sensible and sustainable lifestyle. For example by creating less waste and making a personal commitment to use public transport more often. There is a window of opportunity to make changes to reverse our impact."

Environment - waste, water and energy

The South East generates more waste per person than any other part of the country. The amount of waste has increased each year since 1997 to reach 4.5 million tonnes of household waste in 2006. However, recycling is up and domestic water use has fallen for the second year in a row. Highlights are:

• 30% of household waste was recycled and composted, up from 21% in 2003. Our target is to reach 50% by 2010.
• In households without a water meter each person used 730 litres (161 gallons) less water in a year
• In households with a water meter each person used 2,555 litres (562 gallons) less water in a year
• Renewable energy production is up 14% since 2005. This is mainly energy from wind and wave power.

Transport

This year's data show increasing car use but no change in public transport use:

• 75% of residents use the car to go to and from work
• Travelling to school by car has increased to 38% from 35%
• Rail use remains the same at 6%
• 4% of the population uses the bus/ coach.

Contacts

Lesley van Dijk, Assembly PR Executive - 01483 555223

Heather Bolton, Assembly Communications Director - 01483 555220

Notes to editors:

1. The Monitoring Report 2006 is the fifth annual monitoring report produced by the Regional Assembly. It monitors progress against:
   - Policies set out in the current regional spatial strategy (RPG9) and
   - Objectives in the Integrated Regional Framework (IRF).
   
   
2. The areas covered by the report include: quality of life, the environment, the economy, housing, transport, infrastructure and minerals.
   
   
3. The Assembly is a partnership of councils and communities in the South East region. It was established in January 1999 to give a representative voice to the region, which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire and Surrey.
   
   
4. The Assembly is made up of 112 members including elected councillors nominated by the region's local authorities and 37 representatives from other sectors of the community (including business, trades unions, education, housing, health, sports, culture, tourism, faith groups, environmental, community and voluntary organisations) as well as the New Forest National Park Authority.
   
   
5. The Assembly has six roles:
1. Regional Planning
   preparing and delivering the South East Plan
2. Regional Housing
   the Regional Housing Board decides housing investment priorities
3. Regional Transport
   the Regional Transport Board decides transport investment priorities
4. Advocacy
   pressing the South East's interests in London and Brussels
5. Accountability
   scrutinising SEEDA's plans and impact
6. Alignment
   co-ordinating regional policies and decisions.

Our vision is for a distinctive, outward-looking, accessible region of prosperous, sustainable communities, with a high quality of life and environment.

Last updated: 21 August 2007

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