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Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently

The summary Figure shows the proportion of indicator components for which ‘Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently’ is the primary goal that have been assigned to each assessment category, with the exact number of indicator components shown as a label on the bars.

There are 12 indicators comprising of 18 indicator components in total with this primary goal, 13 of which can be assessed. One indicator (E7 healthy soils) is classed as ‘not assessed’ in the figure because it is still in development. Indicator C11 (Productive seas: status of sensitive fish and shellfish stocks) and indicator component E9b (Matrix of environmental management metrics for English aquaculture) are not currently assessed because they do not contain sufficient time-series data.

It is not possible to simply define any change in the 4 agriculture related indicators (E1 to E4) as an ‘improvement’ or ‘deterioration’ as this will depend on whether the specific farming practices driving change are positive for the environment and there will be inherent trade-offs of impact to account for. Similarly, it is not possible to simply define any change in the biomass component of indicator J2a Raw material consumption as an ‘improvement’ or ‘deterioration’ because there is no desired direction of change. The assessment results for these indicators are therefore not included in the summary figure. However, it is possible to state the direction of change in the summary table. The volume of agricultural production has increased in the short, medium and long term, whereas there has been little or no change in the volume of inputs used in agricultural production in the medium term and a decrease in the short and long term. The efficiency of agricultural production measured by Total Factor Productivity has increased over all 3 assessment periods, whereas the area of productive agricultural land has seen little of no change over the short and medium term and decreased over the long term. There has been a decrease in biomass consumption across all 3 assessment periods.

Of the remaining 8 indicator components, 4 showed an improvement and 4 showed a deterioration over the short-term assessment period, and 5 showed an improvement, 2 showed little or no change and 1 showed a deterioration over the medium term. One indicator component (E9a) did not have a sufficiently long time series available for a long-term assessment, but 6 indicator components showed an improvement over this period and 1 showed little or no change.

Summary of assessment results - Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently

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Assessment results - Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently

Indicator component assessed Short term Medium term Long term
C10a Marine fish (quota) stocks of UK interest harvested sustainably (below FMSY or in FMSY range) Improvement Improvement Improvement
C10b Marine fish (quota) stocks of UK interest with biomass at levels capable of maintaining full reproductive capacity (above MSY Btrigger) Improvement Improvement Improvement
C11 Long-term and short-term changes in the occurrence of sensitive fish species, Greater North Sea and Celtic Seas Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed
E1 Area of productive agricultural land in England Little or no change Little or no change Change (decreasing)
E2 Volume of agricultural production in England Change (increasing) Change (increasing) Change (increasing)
E3 Volume of inputs used in agricultural production in England Change (decreasing) Little or no change Change (decreasing)
E4 Efficiency of agricultural production measured by Total Factor Productivity in England Change (increasing) Change (increasing) Change (increasing)
E5 Percentage of the annual growth of trees in English woodlands that is harvested Deterioration Deterioration Little or no change
E6 Volume of timber brought to market from English sources Deterioration Improvement Improvement
E7 Healthy soils Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed
E8a Water leakage in England Improvement Improvement Improvement
E8b Per capita water consumption in England Deterioration Little or no change Improvement
E9a Landings of quota fish and shellfish into English ports by sustainability status (percentage sustainable) Improvement Improvement Not assessed
E9b Matrix of environmental management metrics for English aquaculture Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed
J2a Raw material consumption per capita in England (metal ores) Improvement Improvement Improvement
J2a Raw material consumption per capita in England (non-metalic mineral ores) Deterioration Little or no change Improvement
J2a Raw material consumption per capita in England (biomass) Change (decreasing) Change (decreasing) Change (decreasing)
J2b Gross value added per kg of raw material consumption (excluding fossil fuels) in England Improvement Improvement Improvement
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Potential links - Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently

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Potential links - Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently

Primary goal From Indicator To Indicator Correlation Rationale
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently C10 Productive seas: fish and shellfish stocks safe and environmentally sustainable E9 Percentage of our seafood coming from healthy ecosystems, produced sustainably Positive E9 will use the data collected for the management of fish stocks to assess whether harvesting rates remain within sustainable limits (as shown in C10).
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E1 Area of productive agricultural land E7 Soil health Negative Agricultural production and the associated land use and management are key drivers of the environmental impacts from the sector.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E1 Area of productive agricultural land D1 Quantity, quality and connectivity of habitats Positive As well as being vital for food production, agriculture helps to shape the landscape, providing important recreational, spiritual and other cultural benefits.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E1 Area of productive agricultural land D1 Quantity, quality and connectivity of habitats Negative As well as being vital for food production, agriculture helps to shape the landscape, providing important recreational, spiritual and other cultural benefits.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E2 Volume of agricultural production E7 Soil health Negative Agricultural production and the associated land use and management are key drivers of the environmental impacts from the sector.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E2 Volume of agricultural production A2 Emissions of greenhouse gases from natural resources Positive A2 includes greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture as a component in the graph (approximately 30% of total emissions).
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E3 Volume of inputs used in agricultural production A1 Emissions for five key air pollutants Positive Agricultural sources make up by far the largest component in the inventory for Ammonia emissions with cattle manure management, manure applied to soils and inorganic fertilizers each accounting for 20% or more of the emissions from this sector. Agriculture also contributes a small proportion to NMVOC and PM2.5 emissions.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E3 Volume of inputs used in agricultural production A2 Emissions of greenhouse gases from natural resources Positive A2 includes greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture as a component in the graph (~30% of total emissions). This includes emissions from the use of agricultural inputs.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E3 Volume of inputs used in agricultural production A6 Exceedance of damaging levels of nutrient nitrogen deposition on ecosystems Positive Agricultural sources make up by far the largest component in the inventory for Ammonia emissions with cattle manure management, manure applied to soils and inorganic fertilizers each accounting for 20% or more of the emissions from this sector.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E3 Volume of inputs used in agricultural production A7 Area exposed to damaging levels of ammonia (NH3) in the atmosphere Positive Agricultural sources make up by far the largest component in the inventory for Ammonia emissions with cattle manure management, manure applied to soils and inorganic fertilizers each accounting for 20% or more of the emissions from this sector.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E3 Volume of inputs used in agricultural production B1 Pollution loads entering waters Positive B1 tracks changes in the inputs and discharges of selected contaminants such as nutrients and some toxic chemicals to rivers or directly to the sea, for example through activities such as agriculture inputting substances directly.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E3 Volume of inputs used in agricultural production B2 Serious pollution incidents to water Positive Agriculture is now the largest sector responsible for significant pollution events to water.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E3 Volume of inputs used in agricultural production B3 State of the water environment Negative Agriculture and rural land management is one of the main activities that prevent water bosies reaching good status.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E3 Volume of inputs used in agricultural production B6 Natural functions of water and wetland ecosystems Negative Nutrient run off affects the natural functions of wetland ecosystems, for example, through eutrophication.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E3 Volume of inputs used in agricultural production D1 Quantity, quality and connectivity of habitats Negative Farm practices and the use of inputs (particularly fertilisers and pesticides) directly influence the environmental pressures from farming including the quality, composition and availability of habitats.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E3 Volume of inputs used in agricultural production D4 Relative abundance and distribution of widespread species Negative D4 shows the decline of certain species groups on farmland.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E3 Volume of inputs used in agricultural production D5 Conservation status of our native species Negative Farm practices and the use of inputs (particularly fertilisers and pesticides) directly influence the environmental pressures from farming including the quality, composition and availability of habitats.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E3 Volume of inputs used in agricultural production D6 Abundance and distribution of priority species in England Negative Farm practices and the use of inputs (particularly fertilisers and pesticides) directly influence the environmental pressures from farming including the quality, composition and availability of habitats.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E3 Volume of inputs used in agricultural production D7 Species supporting ecosystem functions Negative Pesticide use affects pollinators.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E3 Volume of inputs used in agricultural production E2 Volume of agricultural production Positive Inputs include fertilisers and pesticides used to increase volume of agricultural production.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E3 Volume of inputs used in agricultural production E7 Soil health Negative The E7 indicator will include chemical properties (such as soil carbon, nutrients and pH) which are affected by inputs used.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E4 Efficiency of agricultural production measured by Total Factor Productivity E1 Area of productive agricultural land Negative Smaller amount of land required for same output from agricultural production if efficiency increased.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E4 Efficiency of agricultural production measured by Total Factor Productivity E2 Volume of agricultural production Positive Smaller amount of land required for same output from agricultural production if efficiency increased.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E5 Percentage of the annual growth of trees in English woodlands that is harvested E6 Volume of timber brought to market each year Positive Volume of timber brought to market will include timber harvested from English woodlands.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E7 Soil health D4 Relative abundance and distribution of widespread species Positive Healthy soils underpin the multiple functions of soils in supporting wildlife.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E7 Soil health D5 Conservation status of our native species Positive Healthy soils underpin the multiple functions of soils in supporting wildlife.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E7 Soil health D6 Abundance and distribution of priority species in England Positive Healthy soils underpin the multiple functions of soils in supporting wildlife.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E7 Soil health D7 Species supporting ecosystem functions Positive Healthy soils underpin the multiple functions of soils in supporting wildlife.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E7 Soil health E2 Volume of agricultural production Positive Healthy soils underpin the multiple functions of soils in food production.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E7 Soil health F1 Disruption or unwanted impacts from flooding or coastal erosion Negative Healthy soils underpin the multiple functions of soils in regulating water.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E8 Sustainable use of water B5 Water bodies achieving sustainable abstraction criteria Positive Reducing water consumption and leakage will help in achieving sustainable extraction.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently E8 Sustainable use of water F3 Disruption or unwanted impacts caused by drought Negative Reducing water consumption and leakage will mitigate the impacts of drought.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently J2 Raw material consumption J1 Carbon footprint and consumer buying choices Positive Raw materials are used in the production of goods measured by J1.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently J2 Raw material consumption E6 Volume of timber brought to market each year Positive Raw material consumption includes biomass products such as timber.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently A4 Rural background concentrations of ozone (O3) E2 Volume of agricultural production Negative Ozone can have adverse effects on the environment through oxidative damage to vegetation.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently A6 Exceedance of damaging levels of nutrient nitrogen deposition on ecosystems E7 Soil health Negative Excess deposition of NH3 on natural ecosystems causes nutrient enrichment and changes in vegetation and soils.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently C2 Seabed subject to high pressure from human activity C11 Productive seas: status of sensitive fish and shellfish stocks Negative C11 will show the status of fish and shellfish that are particularly sensitive to pressures such as fishing mortality. C2 shows level of pressure from some types of fishing.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently D3 Area of woodland in England E5 Percentage of the annual growth of trees in English woodlands that is harvested Positive Source data for E5 includes National Forest Inventory forecasts of increase (increment) in the volume of wood that grows in England, which incorporate information on woodland area.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently D3 Area of woodland in England E1 Area of productive agricultural land Negative In some situations, increase in woodland area will reduce the area of productive agricultural land.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently D7 Species supporting ecosystem functions E2 Volume of agricultural production Positive D7 shows trends in pollinators which are important for crop production.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently G6 Environmental attitudes and behaviours E8 Sustainable use of water Positive G6 will include information on people’s self-reported environmental behaviours, likely including questions on water use.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently H2 Distribution of invasive non-native species and plant pests and diseases E2 Volume of agricultural production Negative H2 includes tree pests that affect crops, such as Sweet chestnut blight.
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently J2 Raw material consumption E6 Volume of timber brought to market each year Positive Raw material consumption includes biomass products such as timber.
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