Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (RCEP)

Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (RCEP) Room 108 55 Whitehall London SW1A 2EY United Kingdom Tel. + 44 300 068 6474 Fax + 44 300 068 6475 enquiries@rcep.org.uk www.rcep.org.uk

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Current and Future Activities

Establishment and Mission

Council Members and Staff Members

Working Style

List of Selected Publications

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Current and Future Activities

Present Priority Fields (2010)

The RCEP published its 28th report, on 'Adapting the UK to Climate Change' in Spring 2010. 

In July 2007 the Royal Commission published a short-list of topics for the next study topic. Following a very positive response the decision was made to undertake a study on 'Adapting the UK to Climate Change'. The focus of the study will be on whether the UK has the institutional capacity and arrangements necessary to adapt to changes in the natural environment brought about by climate change. The scope of the study is the UK in an EU context. To help illustrate the issues, the Commission announced on 17th July 2008 that it was inviting evidence based on three exemplar subjects; biodiversity, nature conservation and protected areas; sea-level and coastal zones; and water management.

Past Priority Fields

Artificial Light in the Environment - a short study (November 2009) 

Prior to the publication of the short-list of topics for the 28th report, it was identified that artificial light in the environment could warrant further study (as a short study). In December 2007 the Royal Commission announced that Artificial Light in the Environment was the topic of the next short report, and announced an invitation to submit views on the subject. The study follows on from the Commission's March 2007 report on the Urban Environment where light was identified as an important issue in determining local environmental quality. The study also bears relevance to the Commission's 23rd report on Environmental Planning, as it is anticipated that some of the recommendations will have planning implications.

Novel materials in the environment - the case of Nanotechnology (27th report of the RCEP, published in November 2008) 

The RCEP undertook a study of the environmental effects of novel materials and applications, focusing specifically on nanotechnology. The preparatory phase of this study overlapped with the completion of the study on the urban environment (2006-7). The report was prompted by concerns about potential releases to the environment from industrial applications of metals and minerals that have not previously been widely used. As the majority of the evidence the Commission received almost entirely focused on manufactured nanomaterials, the Commission decided to focus on this sector, as an exemplar. The report examines issues related to innovation in the materials sector and the challenges and benefits arising from the introduction of novel materials (specifically nanomaterials). The report makes recommendations on how to deal with ignorance and uncertainty in this area, which could also be applied to other areas of fast-paced technological development. It also recommends changes to the EU regulatory framework, REACH, and sectoral regulations. A presentation on the report was given to the SRU in February 2009 as part of its study into nanotechnology.

The Urban Environment (March 2007) 

The Royal Commission published its report The Urban Environment in March 2007. In May 2008, the Government published its response to the report.

Future Priority Fields (2010 and onwards) 

The topic of the 29th report will be 'The Environmental Impacts of Demographic Change in the UK.' 

In this report the Commission will be examining how demographic changes, including both changes in the number and age structure of the population and the number of households and their distribution in the UK are likely to impact on environmental factors.

More information on Past Priority Fields.

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Background and Mission

Establishment

The RCEP is an independent standing body established by Royal Warrant in 1970. 

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Mission

Its purpose is to advise the Queen, the government, Parliament and the public on environmental issues. The Commission’s terms of reference are to advise on matters, both national and international, concerning the pollution of the environment; on the adequacy of research in this field; and the future possibilities of danger to the environment. It has an UK focus, and this includes liaison with the devolved administrations (Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) The Commission has interpreted ‘pollution’ broadly as covering any introduction by man into the environment of substances or energy liable to cause hazards to human health, harm to living resources and ecological systems, damage to structures or amenity, or interference with legitimate uses of the environment. It now approaches issues within the framework of sustainable development. The Commission has published 30 reports, and many of their recommendations have been accepted and implemented by successive governments. The primary role of the Commission is to contribute to policy development in the longer term by providing an authoritative factual basis for policy-making and debate, and setting new policy agendas and priorities. It considers the economic, ethical and social aspects of issues alongside scientific and technological aspects. It sees its role as reviewing and anticipating trends and development, identifying fields where insufficient attention is being given to environmental problems, and recommending actions that should be taken.

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Council Members

Commissioners are drawn from a variety of backgrounds in academia, industry and public life. Contributing a wide range of expertise and experience in science, medicine, engineering, law, economics and business, Members serve part-time and as individuals, not as representatives of organisations or professions. The terms for the Members run from different dates. Three new members will be appointed shortly.

Chairman Sir John Lawton	Formerly Chief Executive Natural Environment Research Council
Professor Jon Ayres	Professor of Environmental & Respiratory Medicine, University of Birmingham
Prof. Michael Depledge	Professor of Environment and Human Health, Peninsular Medical School, University of Plymouth
Prof. Maria Lee	Professor of Law, University College London
Prof. Peter Liss	Professor of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia
Prof. Peter Matthews	Chairman of the Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation
Prof. Gordon MacKerron	Director, Sussex Energy Group, SPRU (Science and Technology Policy Research), University of Sussex
Prof. Judith Petts	Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Knowledge Transfer) University of Birmingham
Prof. Michael Roberts	Formerly Chief Executive of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Central Science Laboratory (2001-2008)
Prof. Joanne Scott	Professor of European Law, Vice Dean for International Links, Faculty of Laws, University Collage London
Prof. Marian Scott	Professor of Environmental Statistics, University of Glasgow
Prof. Lynda M. Warren	Emeritus Professor of Environmental Law, University of Wales

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Staff Members

The RCEP has a secretariat with 8 staff. John Roberts is the Secretary to the Commission. 

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Work Style

Tasks of the Council

The RCEP issues major reports every 12 to 18 months, following in-depth analysis of a particular topic. To date, it has issued 30 reports on a broad range of environmental issues. In addition, the RCEP also issues ad hoc statements or responses to consultations, and periodic news releases. The Commission has freedom to consider and advise on any matter it chooses; the government may also request consideration of particular topics.

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Council Meetings

The Commission meets for 1˝ days at the start of each month (except August). The Commission also organises occasional workshops or undertakes visits in connection with specific studies. Additionally, smaller groups of members may meet to take forward particular aspects of studies. From January 1998 onwards, the minutes of Commission meetings have been made publicly available.

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Activities in the EEAC Network

The RCEP was involved in the early years of the network and became member when membership was introduced in 1997. 

Prof. Susan Owens was Vice-Chair of the EEAC Steering Committee 2006 and through 2001 and 2002, Prof. Richard Macrory chaired the EEAC Steering Committee.
The RCEP hosted the 3^rd EEAC Annual Conference 1995 on Sustainable Land Use in Europe.

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List of Selected Publications

• Adapting Institutions to Climate Change (pdf. 2,6 MB - March 2010);
• Artificial Light in the Environment – a short study (pdf. 2 Mb - November 2009);
• Novel Materials in the Environment: The case of Nanotechnology, 12 November 2008;
• The Urban Environment (March 2007);
• Crop Spraying and the Health of Residents and Bystanders (September 2005)
• Turning the tide: Addressing the Impact of Fisheries on the Marine Environment (December 2004)
• The Use of Biomass for Heat and Power Production (May 2004);
• Chemicals in Products (June 2003);
• The Environmental Effects of Civil Aircraft in Flight (November 2002)
• Environmental Planning (March 2002);
• Energy - The Changing Climate (June 2000);
• Setting Environmental Standards (October 1998);

More information on RCEP publications. 

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Last update: 13 April 2010