Government Offices promote sustainable development, protect the environment and help rural areas. We make sure the policies of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) are implemented and properly integrated with the work of other Government departments.
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We seek to:
- bring greater coherence to the delivery of Government policies and
programmes to communities, including those facing particular issues in
coastal and rural areas.
- to protect and enhance the natural environment and foster the better
use of natural resources (such as energy, water and waste) recognising that
these underpin economic and social success.
We work in partnership and co-operation with regional agencies, local
authorities and a range of regional, sub-regional and local partnerships
that include the voluntary sector, business and the wider community.
Our environmental priorities in the East of England contribute towards the
broader ambitions of sustainable development.
Within the region we are working with partners to reduce carbon emissions
and adapt to a changing climate, increase energy efficiency, reduce waste
and increase recycling, enhance local environmental quality, improve
leadership on natural environment issues, build a productive and
sustainable food and farming sector and address the needs of rural and
coastal communities.
Environment and Climate Change
- Ensure sustainable development is a major consideration in all regional
and local policies and programmes
- Develop the Regional Sustainable Development Framework
- Promote the Energy White Paper
- Support environmental best practice among all businesses and public
sector organisations
- Work on a regional climate change action plan
- Promote the government’s sustainable waste management programme
across the region
- Promote other government’s programmes in areas such as water,
biodiversity, air quality and local environmental quality
Sustainable Food & Farming
We work closely with a wide range of local and regional and national
partners to take forward the regional food and farming agenda, including
promoting:
- A thriving food and farming industry, with reduced impacts on the
natural environment, which makes a positive contribution to reducing
greenhouse gasses and is resilient and adapted to the impacts of climate
change.
- A balanced vision for a truly sustainable food system, prioritising the
need for environmental management alongside that of increased food
production.
Sustainable Rural Communities
By delivering these
policies, we want to contribute positive outcomes that address regional
disparities, improve the accessibility of services for rural people, reduce
rural inequalities, improve rural economies, improve access to the
countryside and protect the natural environment.
