Welcome to the seventh edition of the Low Emission Strategies (LES) e-Newsletter!

In this issue we provide more information on the work programmes for our three Regional Groups. We also look at the feedback from the Environmental Audit Committee, which highlighted the role of the LES Partnership in sharing best practice.

We'd like to thank everyone who has subscribed to the newsletter. We hope it gives planners, developers and environmental practitioners an understanding of how LES can inform practice and policy where you are.

As always we welcome your feedback so please do let us know if you have any ideas for future content or if there are any FAQs you'd like answering.

Rob Pilling - (LES Partnership, Programme Manager)

Regional Groups are GO!

After a month of inception meetings and plan drafting, our three Regional Groups are up and running. For the rest of 2010, the LES Partnership will work with Sussex, Leeds City Region and Liverpool City Region to deliver low emission strategies in their areas.

Read more...

Bids invited for £5000 project fund

At the Low Emission Forum event in February, we announced a £5000 fund for LES-related projects/activities in 2010. We would like to take a number of proposals forward for consideration. They could be anything associated with the Low Emission Strategies agenda.

Read more...

Feedback from Environmental Audit Committee

In a wide-ranging inquiry into Air Quality in the UK, the Environmental Audit Committee has called for increased support for local authorities to deliver improved air quality through the planning framework.

The Report, published on 22nd March, emphasised the serious health impacts and enormous costs of poor air quality - which may contribute to 50,000 premature deaths per year in the UK, more than passive smoking, traffic accidents or obesity. The Committee identified a key role for local authorities to develop "wide ranging strategies to reduce emissions" and "effective policies, closely linked to planning". The Defra / LES Partnership 'Planning Guidance' was highlighted as a key reference document, with the LES Partnership being identified as an ideal forum to share best practice.

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Development of Low Emissions Procurement Guidance

There is great potential within public and private sector procurement to significantly reduce road transport emissions. Whilst tools and techniques are available, their implementation is currently sporadic and inconsistent across the country. The LES Partnership is seeking to develop best/good practice guidance to assist in influencing cost effective emissions reductions, with the aim of maximising collective approaches and encouraging market transformation.

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LES Partnership Event

1st July 2010
Second Low Emission Forum

Other event/s you may be interested in:

28th April 2010
BIONIC National Seminar - Sustainable Biofuels in Transport (Chaired by Andrew Whittles)
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29th April 2010
LowCVP workshop on the potential DfT Biomethane Programme

1st June 2010
Communities and Local Government has published a consultation on a Planning Policy Statement: Planning for a Low Carbon Future in a Changing Climate. This has implications for the implementation of low emission strategies. Consultation closes on 1 June 2010.

21st June 2010
The Mayor of London has published a Draft Air Quality Strategy, which includes reference to Low Emission Strategies. Public consultation closes on 21 June 2010.

30th June 2010
RTPI Convention Workshop
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22nd September 2010
The sixth annual 'A Clearer Future' Conference will take place in Sheffield on Wednesday 22nd September. Please visit www.care4air.org for more information.

To find out more about the Partnership visit the website, or if you have any questions or comments please click here to email us

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