There are a huge number of acronyms. They get everywhere and if you read things like the e-government website you can go whole paragraphs without finding a real word so we figured this might be useful.
Please send an email with any new definitions or things we've missed out | got wrong.
A proposed development that is likely to have a significant effect on a European/internationally designated site will be subject to an Appropriate Assessment by English Nature under the Habitats Regulations.
ABP owns and operates 21 ports all around the UK and handles approximately a quarter of the country's seaborne trade. Local to the Humber Estuary ABP ports include: Goole, Grimsby, Hull and Immingham.
link: http://www.abports.co.uk/
ABPmer provides specialist consultancy services on coastal, estuarine and riverine developments and conservation projects.
link: http://www.abpmer.co.uk/
The Association of Local Government Ecologists represents professional ecologists working in local government in the UK. In partnership with others, ALGE supports and develops the nature conservation work of local authorities
link: http://www.alge.org.uk/
A site where the national air quality objectives are not likely to be achieved must be declared an Air Quality Management Area by the Local Authority.
link: http://www.airquality.co.uk/archive/laqm/laqm.php
Anglian Water manages the collection, treatment and distribution of water in the Anglian region, including Lincolnshire.
link: http://www.anglianwater.co.uk/
National, local and sector-specific plans established under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, with the intention of securing the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
link: http://www.ukbap.org.uk/
The Biodiversity Action Recording System is an information system that supports the planning, monitoring and reporting requirements of national, local and company Biodiversity Action Plans. It also allows users to learn about the progress being made with local and national Biodiversity Action Plans.rn
link: http://www.ukbap-reporting.org.uk/
The national representative body which promotes and protects sporting and shooting and the well-being of the countryside throughout the UK and overseas.
link: http://www.basc.org.uk/
Best Available Techniques are required to be considered in order to avoid or reduce emissions resulting from certain installations and to reduce the impact on the environment as a whole. They are required by the Environment Agency when licensing the major potentially polluting industries under the Integrated Pollution Prevention & Control legislative regime and takes into account the balance between the costs and environmental benefits.
Equivalent to Best Available Technique under the old Integrated Pollution & Control regime.
Definition by ISO BS7666. Used primarily by ordnance survey especially for road network ITN definitions.
A procedure that takes into account the total impact of a process and the technical possibilities for dealing with it. BPEO establishes the waste management option, or mix of options, that provides the most benefits or the least damage to the environment as a whole, at acceptable cost, in the long-term as well as in the short-term.
Best Available Techniques Reference Documents assist in the selection of Best Available Techniques for each activity area listed in Annex 1 of Directive 96/61/EC (Schedule 1 of the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000).
link: http://eippcb.jrc.es/pages/FActivities.htm
The Botanical Society of the British Isles is for everyone who is interested in the flora of Britain and Ireland, both professionals and amateurs. It remains the biggest and most active organisation devoted to the study of botany in the British Isles.
link: http://www.bsbi.org.uk/index.html
A UK based charity which aims to create better environments where people feel valued, included and involved.
link: http://www.btcv.org/
The British Trust for Ornithology promotes bird conservation through volunteer-based surveys to count birds and monitor populations and distributions.
link: http://www.bto.org/
The British Wind Energy Association is the trade and professional body for the UK wind and marine renewables industries. It aims to promote the use of wind power in and around the UK, both onshore and offshore and act as a lobbying group to promote wind energy and marine renewables to government.
link: http://www.bwea.com/index.html
The Countryside Agency brings together all the different countryside dimensions – economic, environmental, community and enjoyment into a single national body: to achieve sustainable development in the countryside.
link: http://www.countryside.gov.uk/
Local level strategies that make information on water resources allocation publicly available and allow the balance between the needs of abstractors and those of the aquatic environment to be determined in consultation with the local community and interested parties.
Countryside Character Areas map England according to different landscape characteristics. They are used as a framework to assess change in the landscape between 1990 – 1998 and to assist with Landscape Character Assessments. The Humber sub-region has 8 character areas: Central Lincolnshire Vale, Holderness, Humber Estuary, Humberhead Levels, Lincolnshire Coast & Marshes, Lincolnshire Wolds, Northern Lincolnshire Edge with Coversands and Yorkshire Wolds.
The Countryside Council for Wales is the Government's wildlife conservation authority for Wales. It aims to sustain natural beauty and wildlife and to provide opportunities for outdoor enjoyment of the Welsh landscape and its inshore waters.
link: http://www.ccw.gov.uk/
An internationally renowned scientific research and advisory centre working in fisheries management, environmental protection and aquaculture.
link: http://www.cefas.co.uk/
The UK's centre of excellence for research in the land and freshwater environmental sciences.
link: http://www.ceh.ac.uk/
Large-scale strategic planning framework for the integrated management of flood risks to people and the developed and natural environment in a sustainable manner.
Coastal Habitat Management Plans quantify habitat change (loss and gain) and recommend actions to prevent future losses. Actions are delivered through Shoreline Management Plans and flood and coastal defence strategies and schemes.
The Countryside Land & Business Association is the premier organisation safeguarding the interests of those responsible for land, property and business throughout rural England and Wales.
link: http://www.cla.org.uk/
The Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999 and the Control of Major Accident Hazards (Amendment) Regulations 2005 aim to prevent and mitigate the effects on people and the environment of major incidents involving dangerous substances.
A group who care passionately about England's countryside and campaign for it to be protected and enhanced for the benefit of everyone.
link: http://www.cpre.org.uk/
A group who care passionately about rural Wales and campaign for it to be protected and enhanced for the benefit of everyone.
link: http://www.cprw.org.uk/home.htm
A project to develop a national indicator of how the countryside is changing. It aims to understand how and where change is occurring, and most importantly, where change matters the most.
link: http://www.cqc.org.uk/
A statutory right of access to open country and registered common land giving greater protection to Sites of Special Scientific Interest and providing better management arrangements for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty whilst extending the public's ability to enjoy the countryside.
The Countryside Stewardship Scheme makes payments to farmers and other land managers operating outside Environmentally Sensitive Areas to enhance and conserve English landscapes, their wildlife and history and to help people to enjoy them.
link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/schemes/css/default.htm
A non-statutory designated area of local importance for the conservation of semi-natural habitats and/or habitats which support rare local wildlife species. They are not of sufficient extent or quality to qualify for national recognition as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Also referred to as Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation or Sites of Nature Conservation Importance.
Formerly the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Department for Communities and Local Government was created in May 2006 with a powerful remit to promote community cohesion and equality, as well as responsibility for housing, urban regeneration, planning and local government.
link: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/
The Government Department that works for the essentials of life; food, air, land, water, people, animals and plants. Their remit is the pursuit of sustainable development by weaving together economic, social and environmental concerns.
link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/
Organisation producing MasterMap. Primarily headed up by OS. Producing rationalised topological definitions to remove the fuzzy edges caused by multiple GISrn implementations with different reference points, coordinate systems etc.
link: http://www.dnf.org/
The leading public body for protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales.
link: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/
The Government's lead advisor on heritage matters in England. It creates, curates and maintains data and standards concerned with the historic environment.
link: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/
The process of identifying, predicting, evaluating and mitigating the biophysical, social, and other relevant effects of development proposals prior to major decisions being taken and commitments made.
link: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1143248
The environmental equivalent of the freedom of information act. It came into force in 2005. It gives members of the public the right to access environmental information owned by public authorities.
link: http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk/eventual.aspx?id=36
Entry Level Stewardship is the lower tier of the Environmental Stewardship Scheme (ESS). It is a whole farm scheme open to all farmers and land managers.
link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/schemes/els/default.htm
The voice of the East Midlands region; creating a strategic partnership to boost the economic, social and environmental quality of life.
link: http://www.emra.gov.uk/
Environmental Management Systems provide a practical framework to help improve the environmental risk management on a site or activity.
Areas designated under the Habitats and Birds Directives form a network of protected sites across Europe called Natura 2000. European sites that are subtidal and/or intertidal are know as European Marine Sites.
English Nature champions the conservation of wildlife, geology and wild places in England . English Nature is a Government agency set up by the Environment Protection Act 1990 and is funded by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
link: http://www.english-nature.gov.uk/
The European Pollutant Emission Register is the first European-wide register of industrial emissions into air and water, providing access to information on the annual emissions of approximately 10000 industrial facilities in the 15 Member States of the European Union.
link: http://www.eper.cec.eu.int/eper/default.asp
Environmental Quality Standards are derived from the requirements of the EC Dangerous Substances Directive which classifies substances as List I and List II. Standards for List I substances are defined by Europe whilst List II substances are defined by member states. In England and Wales the Environment Agency has a legal obligation to ensure that Environmental Quality Standards are met.
The European Regional Development Fund was set up in 1975 to stimulate economic development in the least prosperous regions of the European Union. The Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions manages the European Regional Development Fund in England.
The England Rural Development Programme contributes to the delivery of the Government's Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food by helping farmers and foresters to respond better to consumer requirements and become more competitive, diverse, flexible and environmentally responsible. It also provides help to rural businesses and communities which need to adapt and develop.
link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/default.htm
The Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme, now included in the Environmental Stewardship Scheme, offers incentives to encourage farmers to adopt agricultural practices which would safeguard and enhance parts of the country of particularly high landscape, wildlife or historic value.
link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/schemes/esas/default.htm
An agri-environment scheme which provides funding to farmers and other land managers in England who deliver effective environmental management on their land. It is intended to build upon the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme and the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.
link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/schemes/es/default.htm
An expanding economic union, currently composed of 25 European countries, who are committed to working together for peace and prosperity.
link: http://europa.eu.int/index_en.htm
A structured survey of all environmental features on a farm which involves identifying any features of historical, wildlife, resource protection, access and landscape interest; and making an assessment of their condition.
link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/schemes/hls/fep-handbook/default.htm
The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group provides farmers, landowners and its other clients with the best opportunity for environmental gain through cost effective, quality solutions.
link: http://www.fwag.org.uk/
The Global Biodiversity Information Facility aims to facilitate the digitisation and global dissemination of primary biodiversity data, so that people from all countries can benefit from the use of the information
link: http://www.gbif.org/
A review designed to identify sites of national and international importance showing key scientific elements of the Earth heritage of Britain. The Joint Nature Conservation Committee now has a database of Geological Conservation Review sites.
link: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=2947
A computer system designed to allow users to collect, manage and analyze large volumes of spatially referenced information and associated attribute data.
The Government Office for Yorkshire and The Humber works with organisations across the region to deliver Government policies and programmes and to contribute a regional perspective in their development.
link: http://www.goyh.gov.uk/
A partnership of 30 organisations that support the Humber Estuary Relevant Authorities Group in implementing the Humber Management Scheme. It comprises of local groups and individuals who have an interest in the Humber Estuary's management and conservation as a European Marine Site.
link: http://www.humberems.co.uk/humber-advisory.asp
Plans established under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, with the intention of securing the conservation and sustainable use of specific priority habitats.
link: http://www.ukbap.org.uk/GenPageText.aspx?id=95
A joint archaeology service for the East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Kingston upon Hull City Council and comprises of the statutory Humber Sites & Monuments Record service and Humber Field Archaeology - an externally funded contracting organisation.
link: http://www.hullcc.gov.uk/portal/page?_pageid=221,52904&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL
Humber Chemical Focus provides support and assistance for chemical-related industry looking to set up or expand in the Humber Region.
link: http://www.humberchemicalfocus.com/index.shtml
The European Habitats Directive aims to protect wild plants, animals and habitats that make up the natural environment. It has created a network of protected areas around the European Union of national and international importance known as ‘Natura 2000’ sites. These include Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas. The Habitats Directive has been transposed into English and Welsh law as the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c) Regulations (now known as the Habitats Regulations).
Group responsible for the production of the HECAP Shoreline Management Plan from Flamborough Head to Donna Nook, published in 1998.
The Humber Economic Development Investment Plan (formerly Action Plan) is the single, strategic, sub regional economic development plan for the Humber, co-ordinated by Humber Forum.
link: http://www.humberforum.co.uk/feature.asp?id=205
Previously known as Humber Forum, the Humber Economic Partnership is a non-profit making company limited by guarantee and is the public private strategic partnership for economic development and regeneration in the Humber sub region.rn
link: http://www.humberforum.co.uk
Information on archaeological sites, monuments and buildings, usually in the form of a database. The record contains a whole range of primary and secondary sources, such as historic maps, aerial photographs, articles, bibliographic references and the results of archaeological fieldwork.
A partnership of 34 Relevant Authorities that have jurisdiction on or around the Humber Estuary who have been working together since 2000 to develop the Humber Management Scheme.
link: http://www.humberems.co.uk/relevant-authorities.asp
A partnership with industry and business on the Humber developing, implementing and demonstrating practical ways of integrating nature conservation into commercial operations.
link: http://www.humberinca.co.uk/
The terminal enables the port of Immingham to handle larger vessels, allowing it to move into different markets. The Humber International Terminal predominantly handles coal from some of the UK's major energy suppliers and ABP is currently building an extension.
link: http://www.abports.co.uk/geninfo/projects/hit.htm
Administered by Natural England, but with support from Rural Development Advisers, the Higher Level Stewardship aims to deliver significant environmental benefits in high priority situations and areas. It is discretionary and concentrates on the more complex types of management, where land managers need advice and support and where agreements need to be tailored to local circumstances.
link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/schemes/hls/default.htm
The Humber Management Scheme aims to meet the conservation objectives required for the Humber Estuary as a European Marine Site by maintaining the favourable condition of the Humber's habitats and ensuring that suitable management is carried out.
link: http://www.humberems.co.uk/
The Humber Offshore Training Association is a Hull-based charity providing training to both onshore and offshore organisations
link: http://www.hota.org/
The Humber Trade Zone initiative is a key component of the Regional Economic Strategy. It supports and drives economic growth through the Humber Estuary.
link: http://www.humberforum.co.uk/feature.asp?id=159
A partnership with industry and business on the Humber developing, implementing and demonstrating practical ways of integrating nnature conservation into commercial operations.
A voluntary system to manage the complex range of activities in the coastal zone with sustainability and stakeholder involvement at its core.
Drainage Boards provide land drainage, flood protection and water management services to the local community and environment.
A multi-disciplinary research and consultancy organisation which utilises the facilities and expertise in coastal science and management within the University of Hull.
link: http://www.hull.ac.uk/iecs/
A professional body which represents and supports professionals in the fields of ecology and environmental management.
link: http://www.ieem.org.uk/Home.htm
Has now been replaced with Integrated Pollution Prevention & Control.
A high level of protection of the environment taken by preventing or reducing emissions into the air, water and land by industries. It is divided into two parts; A1 which is regulated by the Environment Agency (in England) and A2 which is regulated by Local Authorities (also known as LA-IPPC).
OS MasterMap topological model of UK transport infrastructure.
link: http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/products/osmastermap/itn/
Joint Character Areas are defined by the Countryside Agency and English Nature in conjunction with English Heritage, and outlines sub-regional character based on combined landscape, wildlife and natural features. In the Humber sub-region they are the same as the Countryside Character Areas.
The Government's wildlife adviser, undertaking national and international conservation work on behalf of the three country nature conservation agencies; English Nature, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Council for Wales.
link: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/
Local government or council, including unitary authorities. In the Humber sub-region there are 4 Local/Unitary Authorities: East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Kingston upon Hull City Council, North Lincolnshire Council and North East Lincolnshire Council.
Part A2 of Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control which is regulated by Local Authorities.
Similar to Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control, but only concerns air emissions of instillations and is regulated by Local Authorities.
Local (local authority level) plans established under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, with the intention of securing the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
Independent of any of its constituent organisations, the Lincolnshire Biodiversity Partnership brings together local authorities, statutory agencies, voluntary and not-for-profit organisations with a responsibility for and interest in biodiversity in the historic county of Lincolnshire. The partnership coordinates action, information and protection and provides services for partner organisations through the Biodiversity Action Plan, Environmental Records Centre and Local Wildlife Sites.
link: http://www.lincsbiodiversity.org.uk/
An alternative name for Countryside Character Area.
Local Development Documents collectively deliver the spatial planning strategy for the local planning authority's area and are comprised of the Local Plan and Supplementary Planning Documents. These are currently being replaced by the Local Development Framework.
New system for local planning, introduced by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and covered in Planning Policy Statement 12, which will replace existing Local Development Documents.
link: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1143846
Local Environment Agency Plans, drawn up with the help of local people and organisations, identify environmental issues for a particular local area. These issues are addressed by strategies and actions for environmental improvement and are carried out by the Environment Agency and other willing organisations over a five-year period.
A Lincolnshire Biodiversity Action Plan Partnership project based with Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust which aims to help decision makers in land management and sustainable development through the collection, collation analysis and provision of ecological information on the wildlife and countryside of the historic county of Lincolnshire.
A statutory designation made by a Local Authority, in consultation with English Nature, to protect sites of special wildlife or geological interest and enhance public enjoyment of wildlife. The Local Authority either has ownership or a legal interest in the land.
The amateur natural history society for Lincolnshire.
link: http://www.lnu.org/index.php
Department within the Local Authority that has responsibility for planning decisions and delivering the Local Development Framework.
Local Strategic Partnerships are single non-statutory bodies that bring together local public, private, community and voluntary organisations, generally at the level of District, County and Unitary councils. They work with the local community to identify and tackle key issues such as crime, unemployment, education, health and housing in a more co-ordinated manner than has happened before
A five-year integrated transport strategy, prepared by local authorities in partnership with the community, seeking funding to help provide local transport projects.
The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is a voluntary charitable organisation which cares for Lincolnshire's wildlife and countryside covering the whole of the historic county of Lincolnshire – from the Humber to the Wash.
link: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/index.php
A web-based interactive map bringing together information on key environmental schemes and designations. It involves eight government organisations who have responsibilities for rural policy-making and management.
link: http://www.magic.gov.uk/
MESH is an international marine habitat mapping programme that started in spring 2004 and will last for 3 years. A consortium of 12 partners across the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium and France gained financial support from the EU INTERREG IIIB fund for this international programme. MESH aims to produce seabed habitat maps for north-west Europe and develop international standards and protocols for seabed mapping studies. The end products will be a meta database of mapping studies, a web-delivered geographic information system showing the habitat maps, guidance for marine habitat mapping including protocols and standards, a report describing case histories of habitat mapping, a stakeholder database and an international conference with published proceedings.
link: http://www.searchmesh.net/default.aspx
The UKs National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (NAEI) is funded by Defra, The National Assembly for Wales, The Scottish Executive and The Department of Environment, Northern Ireland. The NAEI compiles estimates of emissions to the atmosphere from UK sources such as cars, trucks, power stations and industrial plants. These emissions are estimated to help to find ways of reducing the impact of human activities on the environment and our health.
link: http://www.naei.org.uk/
A new and innovative way of sharing wildlife information in the UK through developing a national network of biodiversity information. They are also building tools to make this information accessible in a digitised and exchangeable form.
link: http://www.nbn.org.uk/
Natural England has been formed (in October 2006) by bringing together English Nature, the landscape, access and recreation elements of the Countryside Agency and the environmental land management functions of the Rural Development Service. Natural England will work for people, places and nature, to enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas; promoting access, recreation and public well-being, and contributing to the way natural resources are managed so that they can be enjoyed now and in the future.
link: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/default.htm
The Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act is designed to help achieve a rich and diverse natural environment and thriving rural communities through modernised and simplified arrangements for delivering Government policy. The Act will, among other measures, create a new integrated agency, Natural England, to act as a powerful champion for the natural environment, and formally establish a Commission for Rural Communities which will be a strong national rural adviser, advocate and watchdog charged with ensuring that Government policies are making a real difference on the ground in tackling rural disadvantage.
link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/rural/ruraldelivery/bill/
Manages, regulates and protects the fisheries from the River Tyne to Donna Nook, Lincolnshire with a view to ensuring the sustainability of the marine environment both now and into the future.
link: http://www.neseafish.gov.uk/
The North and East Yorkshire Ecological Data Centre (NEYEDC) is the operating name of the North and East Yorkshire Ecological Data Trust.rnrnThe aim of NEYEDC is to improve and inform environmental planning and stewardship in north and East Yorkshire through the collation, management and dissemination of biodiversity information.
link: http://www.neyedc.co.uk/
A UK organisation for practitioners involved in biological recording.
link: http://www.nfbr.org.uk/
An organisation that is neither government or business, though it generally refers to those involved in environmental or social issues, whether they have a domestic or international orientation.
A business led initiative that facilitates links between industries from different sectors to create sustainable commercial opportunities and improve resource efficiency.
link: http://www.nisp.org.uk/
Information on the size, distribution, composition and condition of woodlands consisting of two surveys; the Main Woodland Survey covering woodlands of 2 hectares and over and; the Survey of Small Woodland and Trees covering small woods, groups of trees, linear features and individual trees.
link: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/HCOU-54PG9U
A national record of land units assigned unique UPRN numbers.
link: http://www.nlpg.org.uk/search/index.html
Maintained by English Heritage, the National Monuments Record is one of the largest publicly accessible archives in the UK and the biggest dedicated to the historic environment.
link: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/conProperty.285
A UK statutory designation, made by English Nature in England, for a nature reserve of national significance.
Areas of land that drain into nitrate polluted waters, or waters which could become polluted by nitrates. These areas (55% of England) are monitored by the Environment Agency.
link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/quality/nitrate/nvz.htm
The aim of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is to create sustainable communities, working with other Government departments, local councils, businesses, the voluntary sector, and communities themselves.
Administered by Natural England on a regional basis, the Organic Entry Level Stewardship is the lower tier of the Environmental Stewardship Scheme for organic farms. It is a whole farm scheme similar to the Entry Stewardship Scheme, but open to farmers who manage all or part of their land organically and who are not receiving aid under the Organic Aid Scheme or the Organic Farming Scheme.
link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/schemes/oels/default.htm
The national mapping agency of Great Britain.
link: http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/
Established under the EC Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999. Comprises of Part A1 (IPPC) and A2 (LA-IPPC) installations subject to integrated (air, land and water) control, and Part B (LAPPC) installations subject to air pollution control.
A policy is an inspiration and guidance for action, a plan is a set of linked actions, with a specific timeframe, that implement the policy and a programme is a set of projects in a particular area that implement the plan. Jointly these are termed strategic actions.
Not an acronym at all but I figured it should go in because it looks like one. Ramsar designations are internationally designated wetlands following a convention n in Ramsar Iran in 1971.
The Water Framework Directive requires the Environment Agency to define River Basin Districts, i.e. groups of catchments (rivers, streams, lakes and the land that drain into them). Groundwaters, estuaries (transitional waters), coastal waters (out to one nautical mile) and artificial waters (such as canals) are assigned to the most appropriate districts.
link: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/wfd
The Water Framework Directive requires that River Basin Management Plans are produced for each River Basin District by 2009. These will be strategic management documents, developed via the River Basin Planning process, which will integrate the management of the water and land environment.
Forms part of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, and is the largest deliverer of the England Rural Development Programme and other rural services.
link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/rds/default.asp
Originally called the Renewable Power Association, the Renewable Energy Association was established in 2001 to represent British renewable energy producers and promote the use of sustainable energy in the UK.
link: http://www.r-p-a.org.uk/home.fcm?subsite=1
The Regional Economic Strategy provides a framework of common priorities around which businesses, public agencies, voluntary groups and communities can focus their investment and effort.
Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites are designated by locally developed criteria and are currently the most important places for geology and geomorphology outside statutorily protected land such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
link: http://www.ukrigs.org.uk/html/ukrigs.php
A statement of regional planning policies which has been replaced by the Regional Spatial Strategy.
Sets out objectives and priorities for sustainable development in the region and inform regional strategies, including Regional Economic Strategies, Regional Spatial Strategies, sub-regional strategies. Also known as Integrated Regional Strategies.
link: http://www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/index.asp
The UK charity working to secure a healthy environment for birds and wildlife.
link: http://www.rspb.org.uk/
The Regional Spatial Strategy replaces Regional Planning Guidance and sets out a regional framework that addresses the spatial implications of broad issues like healthcare, education, crime, housing, investment, transport, the economy and environment.
An appraisal of the economic, environmental and social effects of a plan from the outset of the preparation process to allow decisions to be made that accord with sustainable development.
An area designated through the Natura 2000 process, under the Habitats Directive as being of European nature conservation importance.
A protected archaeological site or historic building considered to be of national importance listed by English Heritage.
The directive aims at introducing systematic assessment of the environmental effects of strategic planning i.e. plans and programs. It typically applies to regional development plans, transport plans, waste management plans, energy plans, tourism programmes etc.
link: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1143275
The five year South Humber Bank Wildlife and People Project brings the wildlife, built heritage and archaeological assets of the region together through education, recreation and the creation of new habitats.rn
link: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/education/shwap/index.php
A non-statutory designated area of local importance for the conservation of semi-natural habitats and/or habitats which support rare local wildlife species. They are not of sufficient extent or quality to qualify for national recognition as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Also referred to as County Wildlife Sites or Sites of Nature Conservation Importance.
A contract between the user and the provider of a service, which outlines the nature and standard of service required.
A non-statutory strategy which provides a large-scale assessment of the risks associated with coastal processes and presents a long term policy framework to reduce these risks to people and the developed, historic and natural environment in a sustainable manner. It is a high level document that forms an important element of the strategy for flood and coastal defence.
Second tier local authority conservation site
In England this is English Nature.
An area designated through the Natura 2000 process, under the Birds Directive, as being of European importance for birds.
New investment planning process run by KPMG which replaces the Humber Economic Development Action/Investment Plan and involves all sub-regional investment projects, not just those funded by Yorkshire Forward and Government Office.rn
An area of land which in the opinion of English Nature is of special interest at a national level due to its flora, fauna or geological or physiographical features.
A sewage treatment works separates solids from liquids by physical processes and purifies the liquid by biological processes.
Drainage schemes that do not contribute to flooding, encourage wildlife and provide visually attractive, and educational, amenities in the form of wetland habitat. Also known as Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems.
The Semantic Web Environmental Directory (SWED) is a prototype of a new kind of directory of environmental organisations and projects. The initial development of this portal was funded by the European Union as part of the project Called Semantic Web Advanced Development - Europe (SWAD-E). Our goal was to create a prototype of a sustainable (realistically maintainable) and easy to use directory about environmental organisations and projects throughout the UK.
link: http://www.swed.org.uk
Made by the local planning authority to protect trees of importance for amenity, landscape and nature conservation.
The UK Climate Impacts Programme provides scenarios that show how our climate might change and co-ordinates research on dealing with our future climate.
link: http://www.ukcip.org.uk/
Nationally unique numbers assigned by NLPG to identify land units and property boundaries.
The Wetland Archaeology & Environments Research Centre operates from the Geography Department at the University of Hull as a regional, national and international centre of excellence for wetland research.
link: http://www.hull.ac.uk/wetlands/
Annual monitoring scheme for non-breeding waterbirds in the UK which aims to provide the principal data for the conservation of their populations and wetland habitats. Is a partnership between the British Trust for Ornithology, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust.
link: http://www.bto.org/survey/webs/index.htm
A European Directive that aims to establish a framework for the protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters (estuaries), coastal waters and groundwater.
link: http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/water/water-framework/overview.html
The Waste & Resources Action Programme was established in 2001 in response to the UK Government's Waste Strategy 2000 to promote sustainable waste management. Its mission is to accelerate resource efficiency by creating efficient markets for recycled materials and products, while removing barriers to waste minimisation, re-use and recycling.
link: http://www.wrap.org.uk/
Yorkshire Forward is the Regional Development Agency charged with improving the Yorkshire and Humber economy. Yorkshire Forward drives the success of the region by using the £2.50 we get each week on behalf of each of our taxpayers to provide them with more jobs, access to new markets for businesses and to regenerate our town and city centres.
link: http://www.yorkshire-forward.com/
The Yorkshire and Humber Assembly is the voice of the region, working closely with partners on key regional issues and to promote and champion the region nationally and internationally.
link: http://www.rayh.gov.uk/index.cfm
The Yorkshire and Humber Biodiversity Forum is an association of organisations committed to supporting Biodiversity through action for sustainable development and to promoting positive partnerships with regional and local agencies, organisations, individuals and groups.
link: http://www.yhbf.org/
The Yorkshire & Humber Regional Environment Forum (YHREF) coordinates and represents the views of a wide range of organisations. Our key interest is the enhancement of environmental conditions n in the Yorkshire and Humber Region and the social and economic value of those conditions.
I know it's not really an acronym but that's what it's called.n The Hub is NOT a search engine. It IS a fast, accessible route to a library of quality assured environmental information. It includes tools and features that can be optimised for YOUR specific project or organisation.
The amateur natural history society for Yorkshire.
link: http://www.ynu.org.uk/
Yorkshire Water manages the collection, treatment and distribution of water in Yorkshire.
link: http://www.yorkshirewater.com/
The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is a voluntary charitable organisation which cares for Yorkshire's wildlife and countryside.
link: http://www.yorkshire-wildlife-trust.org.uk/
If you still haven't found what you're looking for?
I've rooted out a few acronym buster sites from the internet so if we haven't got it they might have.
If you do find something useful elsewhere please let us know and we'll add it to our list.
