Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) is recognised as one of the most pernicious invasive weeds in Europe and worldwide. The UK has legislation surrounding Japanese knotweed; however, the impacts for property sales mainly stem from lenders classing properties with Japanese knotweed 7m or closer as being ‘at risk’, as per the existing RICS framework. Furthermore, there are indications that the general public perceives Japanese knotweed to be a greater risk to property than some evidence suggests, with potential impacts for property valuations and sales. Other countries may have less stringent legislation and guidance than the UK regarding Japanese knotweed. Whilst it is treated as an invasive weed, the majority of removal projects aim to reduce the environmental impacts. The Parliamentary Science and Technology Committee held a one-off oral evidence session in early 2019 to explore the science behind the effects of Japanese knotweed on the built environment. The report produced following the session included several recommendations, one of which was a desk-based research study to review international approaches to Japanese knotweed in the context of property sales.

Study assessing the the activities, operations and actions of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) and future management and structure of these. The outputs of the study are intended to feed into the drawing up of bylaws, successful management and knowledge sharing partnerships.

RPA, in association with Royal HaskoningDHV, undertook an evaluation of the Partnership Funding policy for flood and coastal erosion risk management for Defra and the Environment Agency.

The objectives of this project are: A. to provide evidence to Defra and others as to whether rollback and buy/leaseback are feasible and desirable options for Local Authorities affected by coastal change where the Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) recommends a policy of managed realignment of defences or no active intervention B. to provide useful evidence on rollback and buy/leaseback for Local Authorities working through their options C. to provide Local Authorities with new approaches to adapting to coastal change if rollback and buy/leaseback are found to be feasible and replicable

The aim of this project is to undertake a cost/benefit analysis (CBA) to inform the development of new arrangements to monitor and evaluate the impact of pesticides on human health, in line with the recommendation from a report of the Pesticides Adverse Health Effects Surveillance (PAHES) working group of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP), hereinafter ACP (2013).

The objective of this project is to guide Defra and their Ministers in decisions on updating river basin management plans, in particular assessing whether measures to improve the quality of the water environment are affordable. Affordability is to be considered for each sector or group which may have to bear the costs, and at the national level and potentially the river basin district level. The sectoral definitions to be followed are those that were adopted by the Environment Agency (EA).