§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to raise awareness of environmental issues within her Department; and what training will be made available. [50091]
§ Clare ShortIn addition to the White Paper, which mainstreamed environmental aspects of the sustainable development agenda, Department for International Development (DFID) has produced a range of policy and information documents covering environmental and natural resource issues whichinter alia serve to raise staff 198W awareness of environmental issues. A DFID Environmental Policy Statement is currently being drafted which will expand on policies outlined in the White Paper. We have also developed a number of documents related to specific areas of the environment in developing countries, including forests, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity, desertification and (jointly with DETR) energy efficiency and climate change. These papers are regularly revised and updated.
DFID produces its own Manual of Environmental Appraisal which provides guidance to staff so that they can appraise and manage the environmental impacts of DFID' s programmes and projects. The Manual also has a role in raising general awareness of environmental issues within DFID, and it is currently undergoing revision to expand coverage of policy issues and improve user-friendliness. DFID is currently reviewing training needs in environmental issues and appraisal, in line with the revision of the Manual of Environmental Appraisal.
DFID written guidance and policy documentation is supported by the work of a team of 44 Environmental and Natural Resources Advisers, based both in the UK and overseas, who offer advice to project officers and policy administrators.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures she has put forward to discourage car use by her Department's employees. [50100]
§ Clare ShortWe are considering possible measures in the context of the Green Transport Plan for DFID.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what environmental activities her green minister has undertaken since being appointed. [50092]
§ Clare ShortSince his appointment as the Department for International Development's Green Minister, my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary has undertaken a wide range of activities related to this part of his portfolio. At the "Green Ministers' Awayday" in December 1997 he gave a presentation on the Department'sManual of Environmental Appraisal, and he held a bilateral meeting with my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment in February this year.
The Under-Secretary has engaged in many other activities related to environmental and broader sustainable development issues. For example, he gave a speech at the first Conference of the Parties to the Convention to Combat Desertification in Rome in December 1997. In October last year, he addressed the pre-CHOGM forum on implementing the UN Habitat Agenda in urban environments, and addressed the World Wide Fund for Nature on the role of government, aid and private investment in sustainable development. This year, he has given a keynote speech to the Indian Energy Conference at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, and addressed both the All-Party Parliamentary Water Group and the Amazonia 2000 conference. In addition to these named activities, the Under-Secretary has met a range of environmental Non-Governmental Organisations.
Further details of Green Ministerial activity and official support are available from DFID' s Environmental Policy Department.