As part of delivering our Action Plan, Defining & Promoting the Role of an EnvCoW, we met with Oxford Brookes Uni and the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) on 31st May to discuss potential research opportunities and joint guidance. A few key post-grad research topics that we highlighted included: The Role of an EnvCoW Auditing models /…
AECoW met with IEMA on 28th January 2022 to discuss collaboration, and partnership, under our new Strategy cycle for 2022 – 25. This was in relation to delivering objectives for two of our Action Plans: ‘Defining and Promoting the Role of an EnCoW’‘Developing Quality & Training in the EnCoW Role’. We discussed mutual areas of…
We attended this meeting along with with many other stakehodlers on 9th December 2021. We continue to shine a light on the issues in the planning sector and construction industry, which affect EnCoWs and environmental compliance. Key themes which were raised by us and discussed in relation to ‘natural capital impacts from construction’, were as…
We were delighted to attend the first Scottish Cross-Parliamentary Group on Construction in September. In line with our Strategy aims and objectives, we raised our key priorities, such as promoting the role of an EnCoW, and the value it can bring to construction projects. We also raised, and discussed, potential regulatory reform for environmental commitments…
AECoW met with NRW on 7th October 2021. In line with our Strategy, we discussed: The role of an EnCoW and how it can support environmental regulators; The issues around commissioning EnCoWs and the need for contracts to support the the delivery of the role; The importance of impartial, environmental auditing during construction to deliver…
AECoW was invited to attend the inaugural meeting of this group in September, along with Network Rail, Office for Rail & Road, Scottish Water among other stakeholders. We were delighted to be invited, particularly as AECoW is the only representative, membership body in the Group. The purpose of the group is to share information on…
AECoW has provided a written response to the biodiversity event it attended on 24th June, which was in preparation of CoP15 (October, China). This response was copied to all AECoW stakeholders, including all environmental regulators across the UK. ‘Whilst the event was interesting, we noted that it was almost silent on planning, development and construction and…
At the consultants sub-working group, AECoW highlighted the need for consistent, clear, and effective monitoring roles, and responsibilities, which must be supported by the contracts. AECoW strives for robust, independent EnCoW monitoring (ie. that is paid for by the Client, or Contractor, but commissioned independently, to avoid creating any compromise, or conflict of priorities); effective…
This group plans to engage with other stakeholders to share knowledge, and inform new EnCoW planning guidance, entitled ‘Good Practice Guide for Compliance Monitoring – For Consenting Authorities. AECoW’s existing guidance for Local Planning Authorites wil be used to inform the new guidance. Stakeholders will likely be contacted for contributions in due course and it…
AECoW attended a Biodiversity Crisis meeting recently in the run up to COP15 in China in October, hosted by the Scottish Government & NatureScot. We raised the issue regarding the lack of robust, open and transparent compliance monitoring, coupled with limited / ineffective feedback mechanisms (which should respond to monitoring findings). We believe that this…