Sustainable Natural Resource Management

The South East region is one of the most beautiful in England. The quality and variety of the environment is one of South East England's defining characteristics.

The Regional Assembly aims to protect and enhance this environment by encouraging efficient use of natural resources, reducing pollution and waste and preserving important natural features. This includes taking into account the effects of climate change.

These aims are in the South East Plan and are supported by a large amount of research, which is available on the research reports page.

Current Work (updated March 2009)

Thames Basin Heaths

The Heaths, designated a Special Protection Area (SPA), cover parts of Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey. They are rare examples of lowland heathland and are home to three important bird species.

The local authorities that surround the SPA, along with the Regional Assembly and other partners, have established the Thames Basin Heaths Joint Strategic Partnership Board to guide the long-term protection of the SPA.

Find out more about the Thames Basin Heaths.

Green Infrastructure

The Assembly is working with other regional organisations - including Natural England, the Environment Agency, SEEDA and the Government Office - to produce a Green Infrastructure Framework, which will provide guidance on the planning and delivery of Green Infrastructure.

In advance of the Framework being published early in 2009, a short briefing note has been prepared by the partner organisations.
Green Infrastructure Briefing Note - 373 KB

In January 2009 an event, 'Green Infrastructure in the South East' was held for local planning officers to explore how to plan for and deliver green infrastructure

Other key work areas

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Strategy (Proposed alterations to Regional Planning Guidance, South East - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy) is a regional framework which sets out a vision for the substantial increase in the efficiency of energy use and the proportion of energy supplied by renewable sources in South East England. By 2010 South East England should generate at least 5.5% of its electricity from renewable sources and by 2026 at least 16%.

Find out more about energy efficiency and renewable energy

Climate Change Summit

The Regional Assembly organised a South East England Climate Change Summit on 30 March 2007 to share good practice and discuss how regional partners and organisations can help meet the challenges of climate change. The Regional Assembly launched a practical guide at the Summit for planners, local councils, developers, regulators and service providers to inform their plans.

• Natural England
• Environment Agency
• European Waste Management
• ESPACE Project
• South East Renewable Energy Statistics

Further information can be found on our Water and Climate Change page.