A healthy natural environment is vital to the North East’s future
1 March 2010
Managing the North East’s unique natural assets and ensuring sufficient future investment in a healthy natural environment are vital for the region’s future.
Rob Aubrook, Natural England’s North East Regional Director, warns that the vital role the North East’s natural environment plays in contributing to a thriving regional economy is undervalued.
Mr Aubrook said: “The North East has a fantastic natural and historic environment and the region should be proud of, and value, the natural assets that make this region so special.
“The evidence is overwhelming that the natural environment provides many of the essential components needed for a thriving regional economy. We need everyone to recognise that the ecological solutions provided by the natural environment are amongst the most cost-effective ways of tackling a range of social, economic and environmental issues.
“The North East’s natural environment provides us with a wide range of important benefits, or ecosystem services, essential to the region’s prosperity and competitiveness. These include: climate regulation, reliable supplies of clean water, air purification, regionally distinct food, health benefits, recreational activity, green spaces, tourism hotspots, and homes for the region’s iconic wildlife.
“However, the risk is that the region’s ecosystem services will be taken for granted. Many of them – such as clean air, fresh water and green spaces – are ‘public goods’, not traded in markets. All too often they are seen as free gifts; but nature’s value - in economic terms - is immense and is one of this region’s greatest assets. It is essential that this region’s environment is appreciated and supported, so it can continue to make a significant contribution to the local economy.
“The natural assets of the North East – such as coal, iron ore, wood and salt - were central to the region’s industrial heritage and prosperity. More recently the region has had a high dependence on manufacturing businesses which are vulnerable to changing international markets. The latest trends for the growth of the region as an international centre for low carbon industries and its enviable reputation for science and technology innovation are exciting developments. However, technology alone can’t deliver sustainable growth and the choice between competitiveness and conservation is a false one. Future success will come only to those regions which invest in both technology and ecology.
“In the North East we cannot truly prosper without a healthy natural environment. It is integral to our health, wellbeing and future prosperity. As never before, the natural environment is essential to so much of what we aspire to achieve in the region. And without a region-wide approach to its protection, we cannot hope to guarantee the food, water and energy security that is essential for economic recovery sustains a growing population and tackles the challenges of climate change.
“The future of the region is not a choice between the environment or the economy, but is entirely dependent on recognising that a healthy natural environment is vital to the North East’s long term economic success.”
The benefits of a healthy natural environment in the North East
Enhancing the environmental quality of the North East makes it an attractive and competitive region for businesses to invest. The economic benefits of green spaces are significant and research shows that quality of the natural environment influences the market decisions of potential residents and investors. They know the high value placed on it by customers, employees, friends and family. To be globally competitive, 21st century cities must now demonstrate impeccable green credentials.
People living close to accessible green spaces are 24 per cent more likely to undertake physical activity. Better provision of green space supports a healthy and active workforce and is a cost effective way of saving billions from healthcare costs. The presence of a welcoming natural environment close to where people live and work transforms levels of physical and mental health. Green spaces inspire physical activity from early childhood through to old age. They encourage community engagement, reduce stress and promote self-esteem.
The North East has many nationally and internationally rare and important natural habitats and species, including red squirrels, black grouse, roseate terns, upland hay meadows and blanket bog. The region is home to more than 70 high priority threatened wildlife species and habitats. The region has 80% of England’s black grouse population, is a stronghold for red squirrels, is important for breeding seabirds and for wintering waders and wildfowl, such as pale-bellied brent geese. The North East’s wildlife conservation organisations are working in partnership to champion and actively protect the conservation of species and habitats across the region.
The rich and diverse nature of the region’s natural environment makes a huge positive contribution to the regional identity of the North East, it is vital for the economy and tourism potential offers huge opportunities to support the regional economy. The North East has an exceptional natural environment with one third of the region designated as National Park, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or Heritage Coast. There are 15 National Nature Reserves (NNRs), 246 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), and many other nature reserves throughout the North East. These, along with the two World Heritage sites (Durham Cathedral and Hadrian’s Wall) and four National Trails
(Hadrian’s Wall Path, Pennine Way, Pennine Bridleway and The Cleveland Way)The North East is noted for some of the darkest skies and most tranquil countryside in the UK. The popularity of the natural and built environments is reflected in the fact that, since opening in May 2003, more than 663,000 people have walked at least part of the Hadrian's Wall path national trail.
Nature based tourism is big business. According to research, the value of the tourist trade attracted by a high quality natural environment in the UK was estimated at £5 billion in 2003, with that spending supporting the equivalent of 92,000 full-time equivalent jobs.
The natural environment of the North East is arguably the best in England with much to offer in terms of clean water, air, wildlife, tranquillity, landscape and food production. A recent report showed that only five rivers in the UK were in pristine condition, four of which are in Northumberland. Caring for the environment means we can provide clean water more cheaply. Managing flooding is cheaper if we work with nature, as natural systems offer greater flexibility and are effective. Hard defences will be necessary in some places, but they are expensive and there will always be a flood that beats them.
Nearly 81% of agricultural land in the North East is under some form of agri-environment management and the region has the largest area of agricultural land covered by agri-environment schemes of any English region. 327,284ha is currently under Entry Level Stewardship or Organic Entry Level Stewardship. 45,000ha is under Higher Level Stewardship management. In total, Natural England manages more than £27 million of payments per annum into the rural economy via farmers and land managers.
Healthy soil condition is crucial to our economic future – for food, timber and biofuel production, as a vital carbon store and reservoir of biodiversity.
