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Current directions in the practice of environmental risk assessment in the UK

Pollard, Simon J.; Yearsley, Roger; Reynard, Nick; Meadowcroft, Ian C.; Duarte-Davidson, Raquel; Duerden, Susan L.. 2001 Current directions in the practice of environmental risk assessment in the UK. Environmental Science & Technology, 36 (4). 530-538. https://doi.org/10.1021/es011050m

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Abstract/Summary

The manner in which regulators apply environmental risk assessment to their decisions on managing risk is changing. Expectations of risk assessment work are becoming clearer, the social issues agenda is having an impact on risk assessment practice, and there is a trend toward harmonizing approaches to the treatment of environmental risk. For risk analysts, the multiplicity of environmental problems is providing opportunities for the transfer of expertise between the different contexts of applying environmental risk assessment. With the latter as a focus, we summarize recent policy developments in the United Kingdom and illustrate how Government guidance on environmental risk assessment and management is being implemented. We emphasize the need for proportionality in risk analysis, the targeting of regulatory effort to risk, and the explicit treatment of uncertainty. These developments are contributing toward better "risk-informed" environmental decisions in which risk analysis plays an important part alongside other considerations. The forward agenda is likely to see further practical integration between technical risk issues and economic and social concerns, and the positioning of environmental risk assessment within a broader landscape of decision-making tools.

Item Type: Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): https://doi.org/10.1021/es011050m
Programmes: CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Water > WA01 Water extremes > WA01.3 Quantification of uncertainties, trends and risk of extremes
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas: _ Hydrological Risks & Resources
ISSN: 0013-936X
NORA Subject Terms: Ecology and Environment
Hydrology
Date made live: 23 Sep 2008 14:03 +0 (UTC)
URI: https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/2968

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