Welcome to the web pages for all those who are interested in environmental integration in economic development. 
 
After over 12 months of consultation, the revised and updated Regional Economic Strategy (RES) was launched on the 23rd May 2006.  
 
Objectives and delivery of the RES are guided by the principles and shared priorities in the UK Government's Sustainable Development Strategy, Securing the Future.  
 
We have stated that "South West England will demonstrate that economic growth can be secured within environmental limits to bring prosperity to the region." We will be debating what this means, and how we can achieve it, over the next 18 months. 
 
The Delivery Framework uses examples to outline how the environment driver can shape the activity under each of our 11 regional priorities. Section 3B also includes specific commitments to build understanding and delivery of the environment driver, working with our regional partners.

The South West Environment Driver Team

What is the environment driver?

The environment is a highly valuable capital asset that should be managed intelligently for long-term economic benefit. As such, the environment is identified in the South West of England Regional Economic Strategy as one of three key drivers for the region's future economic success. 
 
The Environment Driver encompasses a number of aspects that relate to the special locational strengths of the South West, as well as the potential opportunities to gain economic benefit from environmental activity. 
 
Key elements include:

• the fact that over 12% of the regional economy relies directly on the land, landscape and sea;
• our quality of life, often associated with environmental quality and cultural opportunities, is a major attractor of investment, business, workers and visitors;
• business efficiency can be enhanced through better environmental management;
• environmental technologies and services, such as renewable energy, represent a huge global market where the South West can become a leader.

The environment driver concept marks a radical shift away from the traditional view that the economy and the environment are at odds with each other, and that economic growth inevitably damages the environment while environmental preservation curbs economic growth. In reality, using our environmental assets intelligently can lead to business success and increased prosperity.

Our Regional Economic Strategy

The Regional Economic Strategy (RES) provides a framework for all economic development activity in South West England. While the South West RDA has a key role to play in developing the Strategy, it is one of many partners involved in its implementation. The strategy aims to give a framework in which public, private and community bodies can plan and work towards common objectives.  
 
The South West RDA is required by government to keep the strategy under review.

Our Environment

If you want to know more about the South West's environment, visit the South West Environmental Observatory.

Who are we?

We are a group of enthusiastic, committed people working in the economic development and environment sectors in the South West looking to change the way the South West does business.  
 
We come from the South West RDA, Countryside Agency, Devon County Council, English Heritage, English Nature, Environment Agency, Learning and Skills Council, Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and the South West Objective Two Programme.  
 
You can contact us through:  
 
Donna Sibley  
Environment Driver Officer  
South West of England Regional Development Agency  
Sterling House  
Dix's Field  
Exeter  
EX1 1QA  
donna.sibley@southwestrda.org.uk