Transcript Document

Environmental Legislation
Update
For the IEMA on 22 March 2006
Katherine Mills
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IEMA Yorkshire & Humber Region
Introduction
Mop-up exercise for legislation
 Emerging issues/future changes
 Good practice guidance available
 Identify topics for future events
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IEMA Yorkshire & Humber Region
Agenda
Topics to be covered (if time!) include
 Water Resources
 Climate Change
 Hazardous Substances
 Waste - Miscellaneous
 Green Procurement (Guidance)
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IEMA Yorkshire & Humber Region
Water Resources
Water Act 2003
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Aims to promote the sustainable use of water resources
and water conservation
Includes amendments to the Water Resources Act:
– Contaminated Land (definition amended to ‘significant’ pollution)
– ‘Controlled waters’ (groundwater) definition clarified (excludes
groundwater in the unsaturated zone)
– Discharge Consents (consent holder transfer measures)
– Abstraction Licensing
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abstraction of < 20m3/day is exempt
from April 2006 an abstraction licence WILL be required for site
dewatering
provisions for emergency abstraction to prevent immediate risk to
human beings, damage to works, or to the environment
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IEMA Yorkshire & Humber Region
Climate Change (Building Regs)
Building Regulations Part L (from 6 April 2006)
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Enact EU Energy Performance of Buildings
Directive (EPBD)
Part L2A applies to new buildings and includes a
whole building carbon emissions target
Also applies to existing buildings where works are
carried out. Minimum performance levels must be
met for new boilers, air conditioning, lighting etc
The energy performance of new buildings will need
to be about 23-28% better than the original Part L
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IEMA Yorkshire & Humber Region
Climate Change (Building Regs)
Some of the requirements and practical implications:
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Working with the supply chain to ensure carbon reduction is a key
component of any project
Designers to produce an energy (or asset) rating showing the
performance of building fabric and efficiency of services equipment
Designers of large new developments will need to consider Low or
Zero Carbon (LZC) technologies, incl. CHP and renewable energy
An air tightness test in new buildings
A building energy log book, and appropriate metering strategy, so
the building operator can track energy usage and performance
BRE energy performance management software
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A tool called SBEM can be found online at:
http://www.ncm.bre.co.uk/
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IEMA Yorkshire & Humber Region
Climate Change (Energy Efficiency)
 Enhanced
Capital Allowances (ECAs)
– for Water/Energy Saving Plant and Machinery
– scheme introduced in 2003 for 100% first-year
allowances to encourage investment in water or
energy conservation technology
– Water and Energy Technology Criteria and
Product Lists updated in 2005 to increase range
of items that qualify for allowances
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IEMA Yorkshire & Humber Region
Hazardous Substances (Oil)
Control of Pollution (Oil Storage)
Regulations 2001 (from 1st Sept 2005)
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Set strict standards for oil storage facilities to
prevent oil pollution of controlled waters
Secondary containment and other physical controls
e.g. overfill/automatic shut-off/non-return valves
Covers all domestic tanks over 3,500L and most
commercial and public premises
See guidance at Environment Agency’s Netregs site
(http://www.netregs.gov.uk)
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IEMA Yorkshire & Humber Region
Hazardous Substances (REACH)
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Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation of CHemicals
– Encourage replacement of hazardous chemicals with safer ones
and spur more R&D into new products
– Registration of chemicals produced/imported in quantities >1 tonne
p.a. (incl. naturally occurring substances e.g. iron ore)
– Potential impact on humans and the environment to be evaluated
– ‘Chemicals of high concern’ (up to ~1,500 substances):
 Cause cancer, mutation or interfere with reproductive function;
 Take a long time to break down, accumulate in the body and
are toxic;
 Take a very long time to break down and accumulate in the
body;
 Have serious, irreversible effects on humans and the
environment, e.g. disturbance of hormone systems.
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IEMA Yorkshire & Humber Region
Waste - Miscellaneous (1)
Clean Neighbourhoods & Environment Act 2005
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Repeals/extends EPA litter controls and offences (£2.5k
to £20k)
Fly tipping penalties (£50k, 5 yrs) and landowner cost
recovery
Artificial light and insects – statutory nuisances
Audible intruder alarms – key holder required
Provides for regulations requiring construction site waste
management plans
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IEMA Yorkshire & Humber Region
Waste - Miscellaneous (2)
Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste)
Regulations 2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Paper
66.5
67
67.5
68
68.5
Glass
65
69.5
73.5
74
74.5
Aluminium
29
31
32.5
33
35.5
Steel
56
57.5
58.5
59
59.5
Plastic
23
24
24.5
25
25.5
Wood
19.5
20
20.5
21
21.5
Overall recovery
66
67
68
69
70
Min amt of recovery
through recycling
92%
92%
92%
92%
92%
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IEMA Yorkshire & Humber Region
Green Procurement
BRE Green Guides to Specification
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Now cover health, educational and retail premises
– www.bre.co.uk/greenguide/update
TransportEnergy (part of Energy Saving Trust)
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Best practice guide to greening your fleet
– www.est.org.uk
Public sector Timber Procurement Helpline
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To assist in purchase of sustainable timber
– Operated by ProForest
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IEMA Yorkshire & Humber Region
Summary
Any questions
 Topics for future sessions?
 Feedback forms
 Presentations available on the website
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IEMA Yorkshire & Humber Region