1. Social and Economic Benefits
A European Perspective
10 October 2013

2. Eco system
services
2

3. A waterways’ use today
3

4. Provisioning
Service
Products or services provided by the ecosystem
.
Sustainable
transport
Freight transport, canal towpaths as cycling and walking routes
Water supply
Canal water abstracted for use by industry for cooling and process
purposes.
Hydro power plants; use of canal water as a heat exchanger
Renewable
energy
Property
premium
value
Proximity to a pristine canal adds around 20% to residential values
Volunteering
Volunteers delivering works and services on waterways reducing the
call on public funds

5. Regulating
Service
.
Carbon
savings
Drainage &
flood
protection
Water
regulation
Water quality
Benefits from the regulation of ecosystem processes
Carbon savings from transport and renewable energy compared with other
transport modes and energy sources.
Canals are part of a nation’s land drainage resource and in times of flood can
help manage flow and dispersal of water.
The volume of water within canals helps dilute the effects of pollution and
eutrophication.
Initiatives have taken place to improve the quality of water within canals.

6. Cultural
Service
.
The non-material benefits people obtain from the environment
Recreation &
tourism (use
benefits)
The quality of life benefits people gain from participating in activities on
or beside the waterways.
Non-use
benefits
The quality of life benefits people gain from the existence of waterways,
their heritage and landscapes, whether they visit or not.
Education
Benefits delivered through the use of waterways as a learning resource
e.g. as an outdoor classroom for schoolchildren
Health & wellbeing
Improvements in people’s physical health and mental well-being resulting
from involvements with waterways.

7. Smart,
sustainable,
inclusive
growth
7

8. Innovation Union
8

9. Youth on the Move
9

10. Resource efficient Europe
10

11. Industrial policy for global era
11

12. Agenda for new skills & jobs
12

13. Platform against poverty
13

14. Waterways &
European
Policy
2014 - 2020
14

15. Horizon 2020: The EU
Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation
15

16. Together for health:
A strategic approach for the EU
2008 – 2013
16

17. Culture
European agenda for culture in a
globalizing world
17

18. In conclusion
18

19. @canalrivertrust
/canalrivertrust
/canalrivertrust
canalrivertrust.org.uk