Dr Peter Howsam
Reader in Water and Environmental Law
Location: Building 42a, Cranfield campus
E: p.howsam@cranfield.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)1234 750111 x2735
Natural Resources
Current activities
Dr Peter Howsam provides input to teaching and research project supervision, addressing the legal framework for the subjects covered in a wide range of Cranfield postgraduate programmes. These include Land Management options, Water Management options, Environmental Diagnostics, Waste & Resource Management and Environment Management for Business.
With regard to research, Peter primarily provides advice on colleagues’ projects, where it is necessary to address the legal context of the science, technology or management being investigated. Recent projects range from: Regulating Public-Private Partnerships for water supply for the poor - input to DFID funded project; to Quarry Restoration for sustainable biomass energy production – input to a MIRO funded project. Peter is currently supervising a four year EPSRC/Anglian Water Services funded EngD project looking at the impact of the Water Framework Directive on strategies for potable water supplies.
Clients
- Anglian Water Services
- British Potato Council
- Department for International Development
- Kings Lynn Consortium of Internal Drainage Boards
- Mineral Industries Research Organisation
- UK Water Industry Research.
Background
Formerly a water technocrat working in the UK and overseas, Dr Peter Howsam having gained a MA in Environmental Law in 1997, has for the last 10 years focused on analysis of the legal context and framework for environment and natural resource management. He is interested in the origin, purpose, implementation, implications and impact of the law (legal and regulatory framework); the law as a tool to achieve social and political objectives, and the scope for reform (simplification, rationalisation and integration). He provides support on the legal context and framework for a wide range of scientific, technical and management subjects to various groups within the University and to external clients.
He was appointed special advisor to the EFRA Select Committee for their inquiry into the Water Framework Directive and is currently a member of the statutory Regional Environment Protection Advisory Committee for the Anglian Region. He is an active member of the UK Environmental Law Association - activities which help him to keep abreast of evolving, new and existing legislation. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management and a Registered Practitioner of the Higher Education Academy.
Selected publications
- Cliquet, A., Backes, C., Harris, J. & Howsam, P. (2009) Adaptation to climate change: legal challenges for protected areas. Utrecht Law Review; Vol.5.1; pp 158-175
- Sandberg, J. & Howsam, P. (2008) Diffuse pollution from on-site wastewater treatment plants – legal controls, with particular reference to Sweden. Journal of Water Law, Vol.19.5; pp195-199
- Sowter, P. & Howsam, P. (2008) The Water Act and sustainable abstraction. Journal of Water Law, Vol.19.1; pp 33-36
- Mercoiret, L. & Howsam, P. (2007) Domestic rainwater harvesting: UK legislation. Journal of Water Law, Vol.18.6; pp 203-205
- Cooper, N. & Howsam, P. (2007) Rights to water? A Northern Ireland case explored. Journal of Water Law, Vol.18.4; pp 122-125
- Jacobs, J. Howsam,P. (2007) Implementing the Water Framework Directive: implications for Ofwat. Journal of Water Law, Vol.18.1; pp 14-18.
- Howsam, P. Knox, J.W. (2007) Soil, Water and other legislation: impacts on UK potato production. Final Report to British Potato Council.
- Robson,A. Howsam,P. (2006) Domestic water metering – is the law adequate? Journal of Water Law, Vol.17.2; pp 65-70
