Articles from Science for Environment Policy

Restoring ecosystems likely to be economically profitable
The economic benefits of restoring natural ecosystems outweigh the costs, according to new research. The study examined the financial costs and benefits of restoring a range of ecosystems, including those found in marine, inland and coastal habitats, and concludes that in most cases the large value of ecosystem services provides a net economic benefit.
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Policy influence of indicators likely to increase if policymakers are involved in design
Researchers have explored the influence of indicators in transport policy in two case studies at the EU and Member State levels. In both cases indicators were widely used, however, this did not always translate into direct influence on policies. Involvement of policymakers themselves in the development of the indicators and good links to achievable goals were thought to increase the likelihood of policy influence.
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Waste prevention through eco-innovation in production and consumption
Eco-innovations which help prevent the production of waste are explored in a recent German study. It considers the drivers and barriers to the uptake of material efficiency measures in businesses, green procurement and product leasing schemes.
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Managing fishery footprints may benefit the seafloor
Trawling can disturb the seabed, impacting habitats and biodiversity. Results from a new study in the North Sea have shown that changes in the distribution of trawling activity - the result of fishers' choices among fishing grounds and the effects of fisheries' regulations - have greater implications for the overall state of seabed habitat than the protection that might be provided by proposed Marine Protected Areas.
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Ammonia emissions detected upwind from an intensive poultry farm
High levels of ammonia were observed at a Natura 2000 site nearly three kilometres upwind from an intensive poultry farm in a recent study. While downwind effects of ammonia emissions are to be expected, this study suggests that ammonia emissions could be a significant source of nitrogen pollution even upwind from the source.
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