A survey found that companies could improve their chances of hiring and keeping talented staff if they were supportive of employees home needs and paid more attention to environmental and community concerns.
Source: The Ethical Employee, Work Foundation (0870 165 6700) and Future Foundation
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Dec
A think tank said that many companies are not implementing effective policies to protect the environment or deliver equal opportunities, based on a survey of 500 company directors. Commenting on the same survey, the Institute of Directors said that it showed its members are very supportive of, and actively engaged in, implementing corporate social responsibility.
Source: Ella Joseph, What's on the Agenda? How UK directors contribute to social and environmental objectives, Institute for Public Policy Research, available from Central Books (0845 458 9911) | Press release 3.12.02, Institute of Directors (020 7766 8866)
Links: IPPR press release | Summary | IOD press release
Date: 2002-Dec
The Pre-Budget Report contained measures designed to strengthen the government's environmental policy, including action to tackle the problem of waste, and greater use of economic measures for delivering environmental benefits. Farmers criticised the absence of any significant new support for biofuel production (fuels derived from crops).
Source: Steering a Steady Course - Delivering stability, enterprise and fairness in an uncertain world: Pre-Budget Report November 2002, Cm 5664, HM Treasury, TSO (0870 600 5522) | Tax and the Environment: Using economic instruments, HM Treasury (020 7270 4558) | Press release 27.11.02, National Farmers Union (020 7331 7200)
Links: Pre-Budget report | Tax instruments report (pdf) | DEFRA press release
Date: 2002-Nov
The government reaffirmed its commitment to reporting progress towards sustainable development, particularly through the annual set of indicators on quality of life published since 1999.
Source: The Government s Response to the Environmental Audit Committee Fourth Report (2001-02): Measuring the Quality of Life - The 2001 Sustainable Development Headline Indicators, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Response (pdf) | MPs report
Date: 2002-Nov
An international report said that that much still needs to be done if the United Kingdom is to play its part in protecting the planet. It said that 'progress towards national goals, concerning renewable forms of energy, waste management, and agri-environment concerns remain slower than what is needed to reach them'.
Source: Environmental Performance Review: The United Kingdom, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (+33 1 4524 8200)
Links: Report (pdf) | DEFRA press release | FOE press release
Date: 2002-Nov
Detailed results of the 2001 survey of public attitudes to environmental issues were published. The survey gauges awareness and behaviour in relation to environmental matters, the countryside and green space.
Source: Survey of Public Attitudes to Quality of Life and to the Environment - 2001, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (08459 556000)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2002-Oct
The government published a strategy aimed at ensuring that the implications for biodiversity are considered as an integral part of other key policies, such as for agriculture, water, woodlands, urban areas and the marine and coastal environment.
Source: Working with the Grain of Nature: A biodiversity strategy for England, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (08459 556000)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2002-Oct
A survey found a high level of awareness among local authorities of the official 'quality of life indicators', and a widespread belief that these indicators will be helpful in developing local partnerships.
Source: Quality of Life Indicators: A survey of pilots and non-pilots, Research Briefing 18, Local Government Association (020 7664 3000)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary
Date: 2002-Oct
An audit report described a pilot project to develop a set of quality of life indicators, involving more than 90 local authorities.
Source: Quality of Life: Using Quality of Life Indicators, Audit Commission (0800 502030)
Links: Report (pdf) | Report
Date: 2002-Sep
A report on the health effects of climate change in the United Kingdom gave estimates for increased cases of food poisoning, skin cancer and heat-related deaths, and for decreased cases of cold-related deaths.
Source: Health Effects of Climate Change in the UK, Air and Noise Pollution Unit/Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Report (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124, paragraph 4.7
Date: 2002-Aug
A committee of MPs said that official 'quality of life' indicators under-emphasise lack of progress on environmental issues.
Source: Measuring the Quality of Life: The 2001 Sustainable Development Headline Indicators, Fourth Report (Session 2001-02), HC824, House of Commons Environmental Audit Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report
Date: 2002-Jul
A study examined the way environmental and social agendas are integrated at the local level, and what lessons this holds nationally.
Sources: C. Church and J. Elster, Thinking Locally, Acting Nationally: Lessons for Policy from Local Action on Sustainable Development, York Publishing Services for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from York Publishing Services Ltd (01904 431213)
Links: JRF Findings 522
Date: 2002-May