'98 Update

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ENERGY

Indicator 1 - Energy Efficiency in Homes: 1996 Home Energy Conservation Act has set a target of 30% reduction in CO2 emissions from dwellings over the next 10 years. District and borough figures show current CO2 reductions range between under 1% and over 5% since April 1996

Indicator 2 - Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings: District and borough councils are working with a checklist of good practice for maximising energy efficiency. Progress ranges between 27% and 87% of criteria met on the checklist, with the majority of councils meeting over 50% of the checklist criteria.

AIR POLLUTION

Indicator 1 - Nitrogen Dioxide: In 1998 it is estimated that 8 out 10 sites measured in Hertfordshire did not exceed the National Air Quality Standard (NAQS) of 21 parts per billion (ppb). This is an improvement on 1997 when only 2 were below the standard.

Indicator 2 - Ozone: Ozone pollution in Hertfordshire was generally within the 'low' or 'moderate' bands. However, one day of 'high' ozone pollution was measured in 1998.

WASTE

Indicator 1 - Household Waste per Capita: This has increased by 5.2% in the past year to approximately 0.45 tonnes of waste produced per person in 1997/98.

Indicator 2 - Waste Produced per Household: In 1997/98, the average waste per household was approximately 1.1 tonnes per year, a 4.7% increase on the 1996/97 figure.

Indicator 3 - Percentage of Waste Recycled: Since last year the total amount of household waste recycled has grown from 33,000 to 39,000 tonnes.

TRANSPORT

Indicator 1 - Volume of Motor Traffic: 30.7 million kilometres were driven by vehicles in 1997, compared to 30.3 million kilometres in 1996.

Indicator 2 - Modal Split: Car journeys accounted for 83.7% of all journeys in 1997 (road usage only), bus travel was 10.8%, walking 3.9%, cycling 1% and motorcycling was 0.6%. This shows a slight reduction in car and motorcycle use and walking compared to 1996, and increase in taking the bus and cycling.

WILDLIFE AND HABITATS

Indicator 1 - Population of Voles: Evidence of water voles found at 24 out of 25 sites investigated. Two new stretches of river now show signs of occupation and one area on River Gade now no longer supports water voles.

Indicator 2 - Area of Heathland: The Hertfordshire Habitat Survey reported a heathland loss of 97.2% since 1940 with only 21 hectares surviving in 1997.

Indicator 3 - Area of Ancient Woodland: A study in 1997 showed that 2.5% of the county area is covered in ancient woodland (i.e. woodland over 400 years old).

Special Indicator A - Pond Quality: 59 ponds previously studied in 1986 were re-surveyed in 1997. 17 were completely dry and the mean score of the biological quality of those remaining was 21% lower than before.

Special Indicator B - Population of Great Crested Newts: All known historical Great Crested Newt breeding sites re-surveyed in 1998. Populations confirmed as still being present at 46 out of 67 areas.

Special Indicator C - Orchards: The number of orchards in the Borough of Dacorum increased from 444 in 1870s to 574 in 1950s. In the most recent study in 1990 there were only 288.

Special Indicator D - Wildlife Sites in Hertfordshire: Statutory legislation can only protect a small proportion of the most important wildlife habitats in the county. In order to fully recognise the diversity of wildlife habitat available in Hertfordshire a set of wildlife site criteria have been established. Currently 10% of the total land area in Hertfordshire meets these wildlife site criteria and regular monitoring of these sites is required to ensure their protection.

WATER

Indicator 1 - Water Consumption: The average household per capita consumption of water in 1997/98 was 170 litres per head per day. In 1996/97 it was 172 litres per head per day.

Indicator 2 - River Quality: General Quality Objectives: 35% of the rivers in Hertfordshire are of very good or good quality and 9% of rivers are of poor quality. There has been a decline in river quality because of the drought conditions in recent years.

Indicator 3 - River Quality Objectives: 315 kilometres of Hertfordshire rivers have had objectives set. 51% of the rivers passed their River Quality Objective in 1995-97, compared to 100% passing in 1994-96.

LAND USE

Indicator 1 - Land Use Change for Urban Activities: 12.16 hectares of land changed to urban use in the county in 1997/98.

Indicator 2 - Number of Households: HCC's Mid Term Population Survey suggests there were just under 413,000 households in 1997, an increase of 8.4% from the 1991 census.

LEGISLATION UPDATE

UK Initiatives:

Transport White Paper 1998

Groundwater Protection Policy updated 1998

Wildlife and Countryside Act updated 1998

Government Consultations on Sustainable Development

European and World Initiatives:

EC Ambient Air Quality Framework Directive 1998

Buenos Aires 1998- follow up to Kyoto World Summit on Climate Change in 1997