21May 2019
CEP supporting the Study on EU implementation of the Aarhus Convention

CEP supporting the Study on EU implementation of the Aarhus Convention in the area of access to justice in environmental matters under Framework Contract ENV E.4/FRA/2016/0003.

CEP is part of a team led by Milieu Ltd who are carrying out this project. Based on an evaluation of the performance of the current system of EU implementation of the Aarhus Convention in the area of access to justice in environmental matters, and a detailed assessment of possible options, the study should enable the Commission to decide how best to go forward in order to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Aarhus Convention by the EU.  The study is part of the Roadmap published by the Commission in May 2018 on the implementation of the Aarhus Convention in the area of access to justice in environmental matters.  

Dr Clare Twigger-Ross from CEP is providing expert input into the assessment of social impacts of the current situation as well as future options. The project started in October 2018 and is due to finish in May 2019.

Please contact Dr Clare Twigger-Ross (Technical Director) for more information.

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30Apr 2019
CEP’s Ric Eales visiting the ‘Engage with Strathclyde’ Event

CEP’s Ric Eales will be at the ‘Engage with Strathclyde’ event this week as part of his role as a Visiting Professor at the University

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Ric Eales, CEP’s Managing Director, will be at the Engage with Strathclyde event this week – the University of Strathclyde’s flagship programme of events taking place over one week (29th April – 3rd May 2019).  The event is an opportunity for industry, the public and third sector to find out more about the University’s world leading research and how they can collaborate in a variety of ways.

Ric will be attending in his capacity as a Visiting Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Strathclyde.  He will in particular be visiting an event Showcasing Projects with Industry – Protecting and Enhancing the Environment.  He will also be meeting with students to discuss career opportunities in environmental consultancy.

For more information contacts Ric Eales r.eales@cep.co.uk / ric.eales@strath.ac.uk

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15Apr 2019
CEP to deliver a new EEA project on urban sustainability assessments

CEP has been awarded a new project to assist the EEA in preparing the 2020 Report on Environmental Sustainability in Cities in Europe

Following on from two previous contracts on urban sustainability assessments delivered for the European Environment Agency (EEA), a CEP-led team will be undertaking a new contract to support preparation of the 2020 report on environmental sustainability in cities (ESIC).  CEP will be working in partnership with LSE Cities, and will be supported by experts from the University of Utrecht and cChange.

This new project has been awarded under the CEP-led framework service contract for the EEA which provides assistance on forward-looking analysis, sustainability assessments and systemic transitions.

The project will focus on two key aspects: firstly, delivering key urban sustainability assessments, including nexus analysis, following the conceptual and analytical frameworks previously developed by CEP; and secondly, understanding the sustainability innovations that have allowed some European cities to address complex environmental challenges while simultaneously thriving economically and strengthening their social fabric.  These will provide inputs to the preparation of the draft ECIS 2020 report.

For more information please contact CEP’s Ric Eales (Managing Director) or Rolands Sadauskis (Senior Consultant) for more information.

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11Apr 2019
CEP and Brussels-based MILIEU renew their commitment to collaborate

CEP AND MILIEU RENEW THEIR COMMITMENT TO COLLABORATE THROUGH SIGNING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

CEP and Milieu – a multi-disciplinary consultancy based in Brussels specialising in providing high quality legal and policy services primarily for public sector clients – have been collaborating for more than 14 years.  In acknowledgement of our longstanding working relationship and successful collaborations, we are delighted to announce that we have renewed our Memorandum of Understanding which covers our mutual commitment to collaborate where appropriate in the provision of environmental consultancy services and to share expertise, knowledge and resources.

CEP and Milieu have been working together since 2005.  During this period we have jointly delivered some exciting, innovative and influential projects for both the European Commission and the European Environment Agency (EEA).  This work includes projects related to: policy evaluation and impact assessment; SEA; state of the environment reporting; environmental futures assessment; climate proofing policy; water management; science-policy interface; and environmental governance.

Ric Eales, CEP’s Managing Director, commented:

“We enjoy excellent relationships with many partners in the UK and across Europe, but our relationship with Milieu has been particularly rewarding and successful over the last 14 years.  Over this time we have worked together on numerous projects particularly for European institutions and the success of these collaborations is to a great extent down to our shared culture and commitment to delivering quality services to our clients.  We look forward to our relationship with Milieu continuing to grow and strengthen in the years to come”.

This agreement highlights CEP’s continuing commitment to service our European institution clients, such as the European Commission and European Environment Agency (EEA).  Our ongoing work for European institutions includes projects on important topics, such as urban sustainability, emerging environmental risks and foresight, improving access to environmental information and justice, and the effectiveness and implementation of environmental regulations.

 

For more information contacts Ric Eales (Managing Director) r.eales@cep.co.uk

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2Apr 2019
CEP’s Ric Eales appointed Visiting Professor

CEP’s Ric Eales appointed visiting professor at the university of strathclyde, department of civil and environmental engineering

Photo credit: Montrose Street, Glasgow © MSeses / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)

We are pleased to announce that Ric Eales, CEP’s Managing Director, has been appointed a Visiting Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Strathclyde.

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CEP has a long relationship with the University of Strathclyde and has collaborated on research and teaching over many years.  We have explored together issues as diverse as rural land use management, climate change impacts on transport infrastructure, social impacts of off-shore renewables, and stakeholder engagement in controversial proposed energy developments.

Ric’s appointment, which is a great honour, will reinforce this relationship into the future.  Ric is looking forward to working with both the staff and students in this innovative and multidisciplinary department.

For more information contacts Ric Eales r.eales@cep.co.uk / ric.eales@strath.ac.uk

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13Mar 2019
European Commission publishes report on implementation of WFD and the Floods Directive

European Commission publishes new report on the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Floods Directive, which includes research input from CEP.

The overall assessment was led by WRc and CEP were part of the team assessing the first round of implementation of the Floods Directive (FD), coordinated by Milieu. The full report was published by the Commission last week.

The report provides an overview of the first Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) produced by EU Member States and reported to the European Commission under the FD. The report focuses on progress so far and is accompanied by a series of Commission Staff Working Documents with both EU overviews and individual Member State assessments.

The FD, introduced in 2007 in response to the large floods across Europe in 2002 sets a framework for reducing risk of flood damage. The growing uncertainties surrounding flood risk management require continuous monitoring and adjustment of practices to ensure the lowest possible damages.

For more information please contact Paula Orr (Technical Director).

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8Mar 2019
CEP at Parliamentary Event as part of the evaluation of the Our Bright Future Programme

CEP participated in a Parliamentary Event in Westminster as part of our role in evaluating the Our Bright Future Programme

Photo courtesy of The Wildlife Trust

Photo courtesy of The Wildlife Trust

CEP’s Owen White attended a Parliamentary Event at Portcullis House in Westminster, London organised by the Our Bright Future Programme. The event was used to highlight to MPs and senior civil servants the successes of the Programme, and in particular provide an opportunity to communicate three key changes young people want to see: more time spent learning in and about nature; support to get into environmental job; more attention to be paid to the needs of young people and the environment.

CEP’s participation was as part of our role in the ongoing evaluation of the Our Bright Future Programme. We were observing the event and meeting with participants from the Programme and MPs to help understand the role of the event in meeting Programme objectives related to encouraging changes in policy and practice. For more information contact Owen White (Technical Director)

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7Mar 2019
CEP-led consortium to deliver new EEA project on transitions governance

CEP-led consortium has been awarded a new EEA project to develop a report on governance and policy for sustainability transitions

A new project has been awarded under the CEP-led framework service contract for the European Environment Agency (EEA) which provides assistance on forward looking analysis, sustainability assessments and systemic transitions.

This project, led by the Sustainable Consumption Institute at the University of Manchester, will further develop and finalise a report on the implications of research into sustainability transitions and transformations for European policy and governance. This project continues work previously completed under an earlier project. CEP has a role in this project to review the report for quality purposes, overall coherence, and to ensure accessibility for the target audience.

For more information please contact CEP’s Owen White, the overall Framework Contract Manager, or Dr Bill Sheate, the Framework Contract Director.

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26Feb 2019
CEP author British Council report on SDG16

New report by CEP on how the British Council is contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 16

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In 2017 the British Council commissioned Collingwood Environmental Planning (CEP) to provide a baseline assessment of how it is contributing to the achievement of a sub-set of ten SDGs. The Council has now published a new report by CEP: SDG 16 – A cultural relations approach to peace, justice and strong institutions.

The British Council is interested in understanding how its work contributes to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG 16 is a strategic goal which is fundamental to the achievement of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The research drew on international literature about the SDGs, reports on British Council projects and programmes, including inception reports, progress reports and internal and external evaluation; the research team also conducted interviews with selected project managers, stakeholders and/or participants. A set of 12 British Council programmes and projects spanning the breadth of the organisation’s work areas and its geographical spread, were selected for detailed review. Six of the 12 projects and programmes specifically targeted children and young people. Working with young people, especially in regions affected by conflict such as the Middle East and North Africa, is a priority for the British Council.

The report can be found at Sustainable Development Goals Report

For more information, contact: Paula Orr (Technical Director)

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