Anglais enjeux P3

Overview of the significance of ecology and sustainability in politics.
Key drivers of increased importance: - Natural disasters, exemplified by California wildfires. - Environmental catastrophes, notably the Deepwater Horizon spill in April 2010, described by President Obama as an "ecological 9/11." - Emergence of environmentalism as a philosophical trend focusing on balancing human activities with environmental protection.

Key Conferences (COPs): Examples include COP Brasil.
Significant milestones in environmental protection: - 1901: International Congress for the Protection of Landscapes in Paris. - 1923: First International Congress for the Protection of Nature. - 1948: Establishment of the International Union for the Protection of Nature (UNESCO). - 1956: Reorganization into the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and its Resources. - 2025: Anticipated membership growth to over 1,400 governmental and non-governmental organizations from 170+ countries.

1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act: - Creation of National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales. - Established public rights of way and access to open land.

David Henry Thoreau: - Notable US naturalist and philosopher, renowned for his book Walden, which reflects on simple living in nature.
John Muir: - Farmer and naturalist against commercial exploitation of nature. - Instrumental in the creation of Yosemite National Park by Congress in 1890.

Conservation: - Attempts to establish a sustainable relationship between humans and the environment.
Preservation: - Refers to setting aside natural areas free from human influence.

Aberfan Disaster (1966): - Collapse of coal tip in Aberfan, Wales, resulting in 150 fatalities, including 116 children. - Viewed as nature retaliating against human actions. - Creation of the Aberfan Disaster Fund (~£1.75 million by 1967, significantly increased in today's value).
Scandal Post-Aberfan: - Government mandated fund usage for coal tip removal, with repayments concluding by 31 July 1997.
Torrey Canyon Oil Spill (1967): - Major oil spill event involving 117,000 tons of crude oil, affecting the Cornwall coast, producing a notable black tide.

May 1972: Establishment of the first ecology party, the Values Party in New Zealand.
British Traditional Parties: - Limited interest in environmental issues, with Plaid Cymru as an exception.
1973: Formation of the Green Party of England and Wales, emphasizing natural diversity and pacifism.
World Events Influencing Environmental Awareness: - 1972: First Earth Summit in Stockholm. - 1972: Publication of The Limits to Growth by Meadows et al. - 1983: Creation of the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED), known as the Brundtland Commission.
1987: Our Common Future (Brundtland Report): - Commissioned by Gro Harlem Brundtland, it defined sustainable development as meeting present needs without compromising future generations' abilities to meet their own.

Post-1949 Developments: - Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981: Legislation recognizing the term "biodiversity" and protecting wildlife. - Environment Act 1995: Established the Environment Agency for sustainable management. - Hedgerow Regulations 1997.
Under Blair's Government (2000s): - Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000: Expanded wildlife preservation policies. - Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004: Required planning applications to safeguard the environment. - Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006: Enforced a biodiversity duty for public bodies. - Morge v Hampshire CC (2010): Established the legal duty to conserve biodiversity.

Key Legislation: - Environmental Protection Act 1990: - Sets the framework for waste management and controlling emissions. - Aims to enhance management systems for waste and pollution with stricter penalties.
Environmental Commitments: - Plans to cut emissions by 50% from 1990 levels by 2025. - Aim for net-zero emissions by 2050. - 2020 Paris Agreement: Target of 68% reduction in emissions by 2030. - 2000 UK Climate Change Programme. - 2019 Declaration: Recognized a climate change emergency.

Welsh Devolution and Environmental Responsibility: - Powers over environmental protection, water management, agriculture, and energy production.
Government of Wales Act (GOWA) 1998: Established principles for sustainable development, including: - Social inclusion. - Equal opportunities. - Sustainable development promotion scheme (section 121).
Legislative Achievements: - Well-being of Future Generations Act 2015: Requires public bodies to consider sustainable development in decisions, with seven objectives or “Well-Being Goals.” - Environment (Wales) Act 2016: Promotes sustainable natural resource management, positioning Wales as an international leader in environmental governance.

Scotland’s Legislative Framework: - Devolved matters granted in 1998 via a fully-fledged Parliament with fiscal powers.
Environmental Initiatives: - 2015 Commitment: Adopted Global Goals for Sustainable Development (SDGs) set by the UN. - April 2019 Declaration: First Minister declared a climate emergency, amending the Climate Change Bill to set a net-zero target by 2045.
Legislative Context for Energy: - Transition toward renewable energy sources, with notable statistics: - Renewable energy: 61.8% of power. - Nuclear energy: 25.7%. - Fossil fuels: 10.9%.
Power Generation Examples: - Whitelee Wind Farm provides power for over 350,000 homes from onshore wind. - The European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre off Aberdeenshire. - Scotland commands 88% of the UK's hydroelectricity resources, showcasing advances in marine energy.
Future Frameworks: - National Performance Framework (NPF) 2007: Established to measure national outcomes. - Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015: Mandated public authorities to uphold national outcomes. - Nov 2023 Proposal: Scottish Labour proposes a Wellbeing and Sustainable Development Bill. - 2026 Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill: Enforces legally-binding nature restoration targets and biodiversity protections.