After a year of consultations and over 4 million public comments, President Obama's Clean Power Plan will be finalised early next week.

The strategy will outline restrictions on CO2 from electricity that individual states will have to implement.
To give reluctant states more time to comply, the starting date is expected to be delayed by 2 years.
It's likely that new supports for renewable energy will also be announced.
In June last year the US Environment Protection Agency (EPA) first put forward its proposals for restrictions on power plants.
The EPA said that emissions from electricity generation need to be reduced by 30% of the 2005 level by 2030.
At that time the EPA said that individual states need to get their plans in place by 2016 and they were to become operational by 2020.
But after consultations with industry, states and 4.3 million comments from the public, the EPA is likely to extend the deadline for the start of carbon cutting until 2022.
But while some have seen the delay as a weakening of Obama's climate commitment, the White House Chief of Staff hinted that the new rules would actually make a bigger overall impact on emissions.
"There really is no overstating how big this year is for climate change," said Denis McDonough, speaking at a Washington forum earlier this week.
"We will finalise a stronger rule."
The thinking appears to be that a shorter deadline makes it more likely that states will switch from coal to natural gas, as they have been doing in recent years.
A longer timeframe supports the view that energy efficiency, renewables and emissions trading between states could all play a greater role, and result in bigger carbon savings over time.
Experts believe that the delay will come with some sweeteners to encourage the take-up of renewable energy sources like wind and solar.
"The EPA have let it be known, and we all don't know what this is yet, but when they put the final Clean Power Plan out, they are also going to include more incentives for renewable energy," said Bob Perciasepe, a former deputy administrator at the EPA and now president of the Centre for Energy and Climate Solutions, a Washington think tank.
"It could make things go faster with incentives, particularly with incentives for renewables instead of just switching from coal to gas."
Lobbyists for US utilities warn that the interim goals proposed by the EPA would make electricity more expensive. Political opposition in states that produce coal is likely to lead to legal challenges.
Environmental campaigners believe that the courts will support the EPA changes.
They argue that because the plan is due to come in over a number of years, the courts are unlikely to grant a judicial stay that would halt the whole strategy in its tracks.
"The final rollout of the Clean Power Plan will have polluters throwing everything they can at the EPA and the White House because they know the deck is stacked against them legally," said Joanne Spalding, chief climate counsel for the Sierra Club.
"The Supreme Court has already said that Congress has charged the EPA with regulating CO2 emissions from power plants just as it regulates other air pollutants."
Green campaigners say that three times in the past eight years the court has supported the idea that the EPA has the authority and responsibility to curb carbon under the Clean Air Act.
International observers are keenly awaiting details of the plan, to see how it might affect UN-sponsored talks on climate change, that are due to agree a new global treaty later this year.
The US has put forward a proposal to cut its overall emissions by 26-28% of their 2005 levels by 2025. The widespread acceptance and implementation of the electricity plan is vital to achieving this target.
"I expect to see quite a few governors and state air regulators welcoming the announcement, and indicating that it is quite reasonable and achievable for their states to meet," said Alden Meyer, from the Union of Concerned Scientists.
"That should help assure our international negotiating partners that the initiative is likely to survive the political challenges it will inevitably face in the coming months and years."
Follow Matt on Twitter @mattmcgrathbbc.


More than 300 hate crimes have been reported to British Police since the EU referendum result on 24 June.

4 July 2016 Last updated at 07:35 BST
Police say that they had 331 reports of hate crimes in the week after the EU vote when they normally have around 63.
There have been widespread reports of racist abuse on public transport, graffiti on public buildings and letters being posted through people's letterboxes.
According to the UK's National Police Chiefs Council there has been "an increase in community tension directed at the migrant community".
Prime Minister David Cameron has said the UK  "will not stand for hate crime or these kinds of attacks".
So what would you do if you ever witnessed, or experienced racism? Hayley's been to discuss it at a workshop hosted by anti-bullying campaigner Alex Holmes.


Radamel Falcao continued his brilliant season with a goal as Monaco beat Lorient to go top of Ligue 1.

He opened the scoring from six yards out seconds after coming off the bench.
The Colombian, back with Monaco after dreadful loan spells with Manchester United and Chelsea, has now scored nine goals in 11 appearances this season.
Youngsters Thomas Lemar, who made his France debut earlier this week, and Gabriel Boschilia scored free-kicks to seal the win.
Monaco go clear of local rivals Nice, who visit St Etienne on Sunday, on goal difference. Paris St-Germain, champions for the past four years, sit three points off the Cote d'Azur pair.
The next game for Leonardo Jardim's Monaco is at home to Tottenham in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Match ends, Lorient 0, Monaco 3.
Second Half ends, Lorient 0, Monaco 3.
Goal!  Lorient 0, Monaco 3. Boschilia (Monaco) from a free kick with a left footed shot to the bottom left corner.
Djibril Sidibe (Monaco) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Maxime Barthelme (Lorient).
Offside, Lorient. Steven Moreira tries a through ball, but Majeed Waris is caught offside.
Attempt missed. Majeed Waris (Lorient) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Maxime Barthelme with a cross.
Foul by Kamil Glik (Monaco).
Majeed Waris (Lorient) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Offside, Lorient. Wesley Lautoa tries a through ball, but Majeed Waris is caught offside.
Substitution, Monaco. Boschilia replaces Bernardo Silva.
Thomas Lemar (Monaco) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Steven Moreira (Lorient).
Attempt saved. Falcao (Monaco) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Bernardo Silva with a cross.
Attempt saved. Jérémie Aliadière (Lorient) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Majeed Waris.
Bernardo Silva (Monaco) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Cafú (Lorient).
Attempt blocked. Jérémie Aliadière (Lorient) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Majeed Waris.
Substitution, Monaco. Guido Carrillo replaces Valère Germain.
Corner,  Monaco. Conceded by Paul Delecroix.
Substitution, Lorient. Maxime Barthelme replaces Francois Bellugou.
Falcao (Monaco) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Zargo Toure (Lorient).
Attempt blocked. Wesley Lautoa (Lorient) header from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Arnold Mvuemba with a cross.
Corner,  Lorient. Conceded by Fabinho.
Offside, Monaco. Bernardo Silva tries a through ball, but Benjamin Mendy is caught offside.
Djibril Sidibe (Monaco) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Majeed Waris (Lorient).
Foul by Benjamin Mendy (Monaco).
Romain Philippoteaux (Lorient) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Attempt missed. Tiemoué Bakayoko (Monaco) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
Attempt missed. Majeed Waris (Lorient) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Arnold Mvuemba with a cross following a set piece situation.
Substitution, Lorient. Romain Philippoteaux replaces Benjamin Moukandjo.
Foul by Benjamin Mendy (Monaco).
Steven Moreira (Lorient) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Substitution, Lorient. Jérémie Aliadière replaces Sylvain Marveaux.
Goal!  Lorient 0, Monaco 2. Thomas Lemar (Monaco) from a free kick with a left footed shot to the bottom right corner.
Tiemoué Bakayoko (Monaco) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Zargo Toure (Lorient).
Attempt blocked. Majeed Waris (Lorient) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Cafú.


The doctor who would give experimental treatment to a baby who has a rare genetic condition has admitted the case was "uncharted territory".

The American, who cannot be identified, said the therapy for Charlie Gard would be "treatment but not a cure".
A decision whether to turn off his life support machines is being considered by the High Court.
Connie Yates and Chris Gard want to take their son who has progressive muscle weakness to the US.
A crowdfunding campaign for the trip is now less than £60,000 short of its £1.3m target.
The judge is analysing medical evidence at a hearing in the Family Division before deciding what option is in Charlie's best interests.
The neurologist who would oversee the treatment told the court that while Charlie was in the "terminal stage" of his illness, treating him would be compassionate.
He said the therapy, which would be tried for six months, would provide a "small chance" of a meaningful improvement in Charlie's brain function.
"[Charlie] may be able to interact. To smile. To look at objects," he said.
Sophia Roper, representing Charlie's parents, also told the court there was "no evidence that he is on a regular basis in pain".
Doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital said the baby receives 24-hour care and should be allowed to die with dignity.
But the couple, who live in London, believe seven-month-old Charlie may have a chance of surviving if he receives treatment abroad.
"We just want to have our chance. It would never be a cure but it could help him live. If it saves him, amazing," Miss Yates said.
"I want to save others. Even if Charlie doesn't make it through this, I don't ever want another mum and their child to go through this."
Though born healthy in August, Charlie began to lose weight and strength by the time he was eight weeks old.
He was admitted to Great Ormond Street in October after developing aspiration pneumonia and was diagnosed with mitochondrial depletion syndrome.
Last month, his parents told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme they would continue to fight for their child's survival.
They said: "He can move his mouth, he can move his hands. He can't open them fully, but he can still open his eyes and see us, in response to us."
An online campaign raised an initial £1.2m, but an extra £100,000 is now needed to help pay fees on the GoFundMe website and extend Charlie's stay in America.
While it is free to host a campaign on GoFundMe.com, fees are deducted from each donation.
In the UK 5% of each donation goes towards supporting GoFundMe, while 2.68% is charged for processing fees plus VAT.
Those paying towards UK-based campaigns from outside the European Economic Area can expect up to 9.48% of their donation to go towards these fees, the website says.
Charlie is thought to be just one of 16 children in the world to have mitochondrial depletion syndrome.
Earlier this month, a spokesperson for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust said it had "exhausted" all proven treatment options.
"We cannot imagine how hugely distressing this is for his family," they added.
"We continue to support them in every way we can, while advocating, what we believe, is best for Charlie."


Prince William does lots of interviews, but there's one that he definitely hasn't forgotten about.

19 May 2017 Last updated at 10:21 BST
In 2009, 10-year-old Alice interviewed him for Newsround. She'd had cancer treatment at The Royal Marsden, a hospital that Prince William supports.
But like every good journalist, things didn't quite go to plan for Alice - she got the prince's name wrong, calling him Prince Harry instead!
Eight years on, he's been reunited with Alice, but does he remember her slip-up?
Watch the video to find out.


Families should be given breathing space to repay debts otherwise the stress can affect children's mental health, a charity has said.

The Children's Society suggests that an estimated 2.4 million children in England and Wales live in households with problem debt.
They were at greater risk of having poor mental health than those in debt-free homes, the charity said.
The government said free debt advice was aimed at helping those in need.
The Children's Society said that the problem was particularly acute for families trying to juggle a number of debts, leading to calls from bailiffs, utility firms and councils.
Debt meant that some children were unable to socialise or take part in events like sports or school trips and could miss out on birthdays, family gatherings and holidays, according to the society's Damage of Debt report.
Youngsters also felt embarrassed for not owning things that were considered normal by their classmates. There could also be guilt, anxiety and a sense of failure for being unable to help parents deal with their debts.
They might also have to live with family arguments.
The society wants families to be given time to deal with debts, a point also raised by other debt charities.
A government spokesman said: "The number of children living in workless households is at a record low, but we know financial difficulties can put pressure on the entire family, including children, so we want to do more.
"That is why the government-sponsored Money Advice Service spends Â£45m a year to help people with free debt advice which helped to deliver 380,000 free face-to-face sessions.
"This is backed up by our historic Â£1.4bn investment into improving children's mental health services and we are supporting schools to teach children about mental health and wellbeing."


The amount of money stolen from contactless bank cards and mobile devices has soared, it has emerged.

Almost £7m was taken in 2016, compared to £2.8m in 2015, according to Financial Fraud Action UK.
In the same period, contactless spending rose from £7.75bn to £25.2bn.
A judge recently slammed the technology, which does not require a PIN, for making life "too easy" for criminals during the sentencing of a fraudster in Devon.
Contactless cards can be used for transactions of up to £30.
Gareth Shaw, money expert with consumer group Which?, said there are "still questions around the security of these cards".
"Card companies must be responsible for striking a better balance between convenience and security," he said.
Bethan Davies, 37, works for a communications agency and had around £200 stolen from her contactless card after losing it on a night out in central London last summer.
She cancelled the HSBC card the following morning, but noticed further activity over the next two weeks.
She said: "I'm quite fastidious at checking my statement and I saw loads of small transactions coming out, from places like Tesco, food and wine shops and weirdly a dog grooming parlour in North London.
"Because the transactions were small, from a couple of quid up to £12, they went under the radar and were still being authorised."
She said money was refunded straight away.
An HSBC spokesperson said: "We cannot go into any detail of how our fraud systems work but customers are protected against losses from this type of fraud."
Student Hatty Sharp, 22, had her card stolen while shopping at an Aldi in Southampton.
She said: "I immediately cancelled my Santander card, and then phoned up to cancel my HSBC card, but was put on hold for 15 minutes. In this time the thief had gone to the off-licence around the corner and spent £17, I presume on alcohol."
She reported the crime to the police, and was fully refunded within two weeks.
Never hand over a card If your card is taken out of your sight someone could ‘skim it’, copying the data from its magnetic strip.
Ask for a receipt Contactless users aren’t always offered a receipt, so if you want to keep track of spending or make sure a transaction is genuine, you should ask for one.
Check your statements Regularly look for unusual transactions, including on lost or stolen cards, as in some cases they can still be used after being cancelled.
Digital wallets You can store your card details in a ‘digital wallet’ in the apps, Apple Pay and Android Pay. These allow you to buy goods by holding your phone over a contactless reader.
Andrew Bailey, chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority said: "The overall risk is low" but added "we have been urgently working with card schemes and banks to ensure this issue is fixed."
Contactless card fraud accounts for 1.1% of total card fraud.
In a letter to the Treasury Select Committee earlier this year, John Griffith-Jones, Chair of the Financial Conduct Authority said "public confidence could be eroded without further action".
Richard Koch, Head of Policy at The UK Cards Association, which represents card issuers, said: "All contactless cards contain robust security features including an in-built security check which triggers the need to enter a PIN at certain points.
"Customers are fully protected against any losses and will never be left out of pocket in the unlikely event they are the victim of this type of fraud, unlike if they lose cash."
2007 First contactless cards issued in the UK, with a £10 limit.
2012 Transport for London (TFL) began accepting payments for buses, extending to Tube and rail in 2014.
2015 Limit increased from £20 per transaction, to £30.
2017 In the week ending 29 April, TFL had a record week with 13.7 million contactless journeys.
Did you know... the number of consecutive, contactless transactions before a PIN is required is limited, and not made public to avoid tipping off fraudsters.


New coach Zdenek Zeman led Pescara to their first win since August - a stunning 5-0 victory over Genoa.

Zeman, who led Pescara to promotion to Serie A in 2012 before joining Roma, returned to the club this week following the sacking of Massimo Oddo.
His impact was immediate as Serie A's bottom club raced into a 3-0 lead before half time and added the gloss to a handsome win in the second.
Roma retook second spot with a 4-1 win over Torino, who had Joe Hart in goal.
Former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko and ex-Chelsea midfielder Mohamed Salah both scored past the on-loan Manchester City keeper.
Napoli had briefly moved into second with a 3-1 win at Chievo, earlier on Sunday.
After Lorenzo Insigne had given them the lead, Marek Hamsik scored to move within three goals of equalling Diego Maradona's record tally of 115 for the club.
Piotr Zielinski made it 3-0 before Riccardo Meggiorini scored a consolation for the home side.
Roma are seven points behind leaders Juventus, and have two more than Napoli.
The story of the day, though, belonged to Pescara and their returning coach.
Czech Zeman, 69, claimed this week that he "owed" the club something having left them for the second of his two spells at Roma four and a half years ago.
Genoa's Lucas Orban deflected an Alberto Cerri shot in to his own net to give Pescara the lead before Gianluca Caprari and Ahmad Benali put the home side in complete control.
Caprari got his second in the 81st minute before Cerri sealed the rout in the closing stages.
It was only Pescara's second win of the season and their first since a 3-0 success at Sassuolo.
They remain rooted to the bottom on 12 points, 10 adrift of fourth-from-bottom Empoli.
Elsewhere, Gabriel Barbosa's 81st-minute goal gave Inter Milan a 1-0 win at Bologna, Gregoire Defrel scored twice as Sassuolo came from behind to win at Udinese, while Fabio Quagliarella cancelled out Mauricio Isla's opener as Sampdoria drew 1-1 with Cagliari.


An NHS worker who was stabbed to death at the mental health hospital in Gloucestershire has been described as "highly compassionate".

Sharon Wall, 53, from Gloucester, was attacked on Wednesday at the inpatient unit of Wotton Lawn Hospital.
Her employers said she would be deeply missed by colleagues and those she supported through her work.
Gloucestershire Police has been granted more time to question a man in his 60s being held on suspicion of murder.
Shaun Clee, chief executive officer of the 2gether NHS Foundation Trust, said: "The extremely sad event, which resulted in the death of a highly compassionate and dedicated colleague, has had a profound impact on everyone working in our trust.
"Sharon Wall was a well respected healthcare assistant and everyone who knew her speaks about her warmth, caring nature and good sense of humour.
"We are still in the early stages of the investigation and continue to assist Gloucestershire Police in their work.
"Above all, our thoughts remain with Sharon's friends and family. On behalf of colleagues across our trust, I extend our most sincere and deepest sympathies."
Gloucestershire Police said its officer were working to "secure and preserve further evidence".
Det Ch Insp Steve Porter, the senior investigating officer, said: "The family are extremely distressed at the tragic loss of their loved one and have asked for some privacy and time to grieve during this difficult period."
Wotton Lawn is an 88-bed acute mental health hospital with four admission wards, a psychiatric intensive care unit and a low secure unit.
It is one of four sites 2gether runs in Gloucestershire and Herefordshire. The trust said it cares for more than 1,300 people a year in its hospitals.
The facility is yards away from Gloucester's main Royal Hospital, where workers spoke of their "shock" at Ms Wall's death.


A drug-resistant malaria parasite found in South East Asia can also infect mosquito species in Africa, a study shows.

The transmission experiments were carried out in a laboratory, but they suggest the spread of this deadly strain into the continent is possible.
The scientists say the consequences of this would be dire, putting millions of lives at risk.
The study is published in the journal Nature Communications.
Dr Rick Fairhurst, from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), in the US, who carried out the research, said: "We think this will provide additional impetus for intensifying - and by intensifying, I mean grossly intensifying - the malaria elimination efforts in South East Asia."
Jumping species
This drug-resistant parasite was first seen in Cambodia in 2008, but has since been reported across South East Asia.
It is rendering the best front-line drug - Artemisinin - useless.
But this is not the first time this has happened.   Since the 1950s, drug after drug has stopped working as the malaria parasite (Plasmodium falciparum) has evolved.  And each time, the problem has first emerged on the Thai-Cambodia border before spreading around the world.
Scientists now fear that the Artemisinin-resistant parasite also has this potential to disperse, but until now, very little has been known about its transmission.
"All of us are very concerned about these parasites spreading to Africa, as parasites did in the past, but there was no reason to think these very highly differentiated parasites could even infect the major vector in Africa," said Dr Fairhurst.
To investigate, the researchers carried out laboratory experiments, infecting two species of Asian mosquitoes and Africa's main malaria-carrying mosquito - Anopholes coluzzii (formerly called A. gambiae M) - with the drug-resistant strain.
"We were quite amazed that not only was (A, coluzzii) readily infected, it also didn't really seem to be less infected that the two native South East Asian vectors," said Dr Fairhurst.
"It was quite surprising to us - we thought maybe we'd see at least some reduction."
The researchers say the parasite's ability to jump species that are separated by millions years of evolution is concerning.
And while such transmission has not been seen yet in the wild, this study shows that it is possible.
Dr Fairhurst said: "This is just one more piece to the puzzle that looks like a worldwide catastrophe.
"We have parasites that are not only resistant to Artemisinin... they have no barrier to infecting multiple different mosquitoes and then transmitting the infections all the way to another human."
He added: "We think that these parasites are going to be extremely difficult to stop the spread of, and that just can't be good for ay kind of containment effort."
Artemisinin has played a key role in the fight against malaria.
The World Health Organization estimates that in the last 15 years malaria death rates fell by 60% globally and 6.2 million malaria deaths have been averted.
Scientists warn that they cannot afford to lose this drug.
Follow Rebecca on Twitter


An MP has written to Prime Minister David Cameron in her bid to establish how a suicide verdict was ruled after a British woman died in Italy in 2012 from stab wounds to the neck.

The Italian authorities concluded Claire Martin killed herself after suffering from post-natal depression.
Her parents, from Sutton-in-Ashfield in Nottinghamshire, believe she was murdered because "things don't add up".
Ashfield MP Gloria De Piero said there are "anomalies to explore".
Ms Martin, 30, lived with son and her in-laws in Grottaminarda, near Naples, while her partner worked in Germany.
In March 2012, Ms Martin suffered multiple stab wounds to her neck, struggled upstairs and died.
A murder investigation was launched, but 15 months later the Italian authority closed the case after it ruled she had committed suicide.
Following a recent Guardian newspaper article on her death, her father Ray Martin said: "Things don't add up.
"It's impossible to stab yourself multiple times in the neck and climb up stairs after wiping the blood clean off the knife."
Her mother Pat Martin said: "It's a continuing nightmare, nobody gives a damn."
Ms De Piero said forensic reports have been translated into English, but there are witness statements and other evidence only available in Italian.
The MP has asked for a meeting in October with the Italian government to "get the answers the Martin's need".
Mr Martin said: "We hope to meet with the magistrate, but I honestly don't know why they won't speak with us."
The Foreign Office said it would not comment on individual cases, but has provided consular assistance to the family.
It added: "We will continue to assist in any way we can, although we cannot interfere in the legal system of another country."


Sending young people to university is a "disaster" for those who are more suited to apprenticeships, Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb has said.

He criticised a target of degrees for 50% of young people set by the last Labour UK government, calling on Welsh ministers to focus on apprenticeships.
Mr Crabb said Wales was "not doing well enough" educating "our young talent".
The speech, at the Sony factory in Pencoed, was the latest salvo in a row with Labour over education standards.


Police in Honduras have arrested four people in connection with the murder of leading indigenous and environmental campaigner Berta Caceres.

Two are said to be linked to the Honduran military.
Ms Caceres was killed in March by gunmen who broke into her house in her home town of La Esperanza.
Her death sparked international condemnation and led to mass protests in Honduras, a country with one of the highest murder rates in the world.
The four suspects have been named as Douglas Bustillo, Mariano Chavez, Sergio Ramon Orellana and Edilson Duarte Meza.
Mr Chavez is a member of the Honduran Armed Forces and Mr Duarte Meza is a former military man, La Prensa newspaper reported.
The four men are "the presumed perpetrators of the crime," says the Prosecutor's Office in a note.
The arrest warrants were issued "based on scientific evidence that support the allegation presented," it adds.
Ms Caceres was killed on 3 March, on the eve of her 45th birthday.
A member of the Lenca indigenous group, she was one of the founders in 1993 of the National Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH).
She successfully campaigned against the construction of a hydroelectric dam that would have flooded large areas where the Lenca lived.
It would also have cut off the supply of water, food and medicine for hundreds of Lenca people.
In 2015, she was awarded the Goldman Prize, one of the most prestigious awards for grassroots environmentalism.
Police initially said that she could have been killed in a robbery that went wrong.


British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland is confident Wales fly-half Dan Biggar will make a quick recovery after he failed a head injury assessment.

He was forced off the field towards the end of the first half of the Lions' 22-16 loss to the Blues in the second game of their New Zealand tour.
"The medics think he'll be fine during the week and should be OK," said Gatland.
Centre Jared Payne also left the field with a "tight calf" in the second half.
Payne was a late withdrawal from the Lions' opening win over a Provincial Union XV on Saturday because of a calf injury.
"Jared's had that calf (problem) for a while, so the pleasing thing is he's got through 50 to 60 minutes," said the Lions coach.
Biggar's Wales and Ospreys half-back partner Rhys Webb came off in the second half, with the scrum-half suffering with cramp.
The fly-half was making his first appearance for the Lions, who face Crusaders in Christchurch in the third of their 10-game tour on Saturday.
He missed Ospreys' Pro12 game against Cardiff Blues in April because of concussion suffered in the defeat by Leinster.
Gatland said the Lions medical staff were aware of Payne's calf issue before the game.


Bill Marlow has been named as the BBC Cymru Wales Sports Unsung Hero 2014 for his work with Mid Wales Orienteering Club.

Media playback is not supported on this device
The former teacher from Newtown has been involved with the club for 24 years and organises, promotes and plans orienteering events for members and 42 local schools.
Last year 1,200 pupils took part in activities he arranged.
"I had no idea I'd won but it's awesome, it really is," said Marlow.
"It's just lovely for this lesser known sport and our club be recognised like this.
"I love orienteering and want others to enjoy it."
Now in its 11th year, the BBC Sports Unsung Hero Award aims to recognise and reward outstanding contributions by individuals at the grassroots level of local sport, who give up their time on a voluntary basis.
After appearing at the Wales Sport Awards on December 8, Bill will go on to represent Wales at the UK BBC Sports Personality of the Year event in Glasgow on Sunday 14 December.
Established in 1989, Mid Wales Orienteering Club provides access to orienteering to people of all ages and levels of ability.
Bill helps to provide events and activities throughout the year in areas of North Ceredigion and Powys.
Chair of the club, Gabriella Walsh, says Bill deserved to win the award.
"He's one of those people who work hard behind the scenes, giving hours and hours of his time voluntarily," she said.
"Bill has put in so much effort over the years and done so many different roles at the club.
"Orienteering wouldn't work without a team, but Bill has been at the forefront of developing the club and has successfully applied for a number of grants that have been essential to the provision of orienteering opportunities."
Geoff Williams, Head of Sport, BBC Wales said: "Bill is an inspirational example of how individuals can, through sport and physical activity, change and influence people's lives for the better."
There is a continuing need for more unsung heroes in sport in the UK. If you have been inspired by this and want to get involved in helping grassroots sport in your community, visit the Get Inspired guide to volunteering, there is also a dedicated page for coaching.


A controversial late penalty for St Johnstone secured a 1-1 draw for the visitors and denied Aberdeen the chance to cut the gap on Celtic to four points at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Simon Church had put the home side ahead with a close-range effort.
But with just two minutes to play, Saints substitute Liam Craig scored from the spot after being challenged inside the box by Ryan Jack.
Aberdeen players and fans were left furious by the penalty decision.
The home side started this game buoyed by Celtic's slip up in their match against Hamilton on Friday but also shell-shocked by the news they could be without their top scorer Adam Rooney for six weeks.
Derek McInnes' side immediately set out to dominate possession and although they dictated play early on, they missed the obvious target that Rooney so often provides.
As they pushed for the opening goal, Kenny McLean found some space 10 yards out but his shot was weak and Saints goalkeeper Alan Mannus wasn't troubled.
As the first half progressed and the home side failed to take advantage of their possession, St Johnstone began to push forward and find gaps in an Aberdeen defence that, at times, looked very fragile.
Steven MacLean had a couple of decent efforts but his lob from 10 yards out didn't have enough to beat Scott Brown and his volley from the same distance was blocked at the last minute.
But just as it looked like the Dons were living dangerously, Church blasted them into the lead.
Ash Taylor's header from a Niall McGinn corner looked to be goal-bound. Mannus saved well but could not hold it and Church swept the ball into the back of the net from four yards.
It was a goal that not only settled the Aberdeen legions inside Pittodrie, but also the home players, who started to knock the ball around with the confidence of a side who see themselves as title contenders.
But despite their continued domination in the second half, they failed to extend their lead and it was to prove costly.
Jack, McGinn and Pawlett all linked up well but they just could not find a way through.
As some of the 12,563 fans started to head for the exits, the game's most controversial moment happened.
As Craig picked up the ball and drove into the box, he was challenged by Jack, who appeared to make contact with the ball. But Craig tumbled and referee Steven McLean pointed to the spot.
With the home fans still howling in protest, Craig stepped up and expertly sent Brown the wrong way.
For Aberdeen, the remaining few minutes were spent throwing the kitchen sink in the direction of the St Johnstone goal but the winner never came.


A United Airlines flight from Belfast to Newark has made an emergency landing at Shannon Airport.

The Boeing 757-224 landed safely at the County Clare airport at 14:28 BST.
Flight UA76 left Belfast International Airport at 11:19 BST and was due to arrive in New Jersey's Newark Airport at 13:45 local time.
United Airlines said it was a "mechanical issue".  In February, a plane on the same route had to make an emergency landing in Manchester.
The reason given for that diversion was also a "mechanical issue". United Airlines said it was not the same plane that was re-directed to Shannon.
There were 121 passengers and nine crew members on board Monday's flight to Newark and they are spending the night in County Clare.
Shortly after take-off, the plane developed a mechanical issue believed to have been with the landing gear.
An emergency was declared and the plane was diverted to Shannon Airport, where it circled for about two hours to burn off fuel before it was light enough to make a low approach for inspection.
It then gained altitude for a go-around before landing.
Belfast journalist Lesley-Anne McKeown was on the flight with her husband Brendan. They were heading to New York for three nights to celebrate his 40th birthday.
The Press Association reporter, who is 29 weeks pregnant, said everything was normal with the take-off until the wheels came up and there was a "really loud grinding noise".
"That persisted for a while and then one of the senior flight officers came over the tannoy and said there was a mechanical problem.
"He said there was 'nothing to worry about... at this point'. When he said 'at this point' I got worried."
She said the atmosphere was tense, as cabin crew spoke to various people on board about emergency procedures.
"People were just worried," she said. "They were trying to keep their spirits up but you could see people were scared. This lasted for two hours."
She said she was most frightened when the plane did the fly-past to check if the front wheels were up or down.
"They confirmed the wheels were down. There was a palpable sense of relief but they still didn't know whether they were in the lock position - whether they could take the impact of the landing," she said.
There were tears and cheers when the plane touched down, she added, and lighter moments during the mid-air drama.
"When everyone was trying to keep their spirits up the woman in front of us turned to the woman beside her and said 'at least it's not raining'," she said.
"Typical Belfast humour."
United Airlines apologised for the inconvenience caused.
"We are providing our customers with meals and overnight hotel accommodation, and are making arrangements for them to continue their journeys tomorrow," the company said.


A North Tyneside man described by police as an evil predator has been jailed for rape.

Robert Edward Pittam had denied 13 counts of attempted rape and one of rape, but was convicted following a trial in November.
The 43-year-old, of Seatonville Road, Whitley Bay, has now been sentenced to a 17-year term by the judge at Newcastle Crown Court.
The offences took place between 2008 and 2012.
Det Supt Roger Ford, or Northumbria Police, said: "Pittam is an evil man and a predator and he will be behind bars for a very long time.
"The victim showed tremendous courage in reporting this to police and I would like to thank her and her family for supporting us throughout the investigation."


Footballer Ched Evans is to have his rape conviction reviewed by the Court of Appeal.

The Wales football international was jailed for five years in 2012 after being found guilty of raping a 19-year-old woman at a hotel near Rhyl.
Evans, 26, was released last year after serving half of his sentence.
The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) referred the conviction after his lawyers lodged fresh evidence.
The body said it had carried out a 10-month investigation into the case and referred it based on new information which was not raised at trial.
Evans, a former Sheffield United player, has always maintained his innocence but his attempts to restart his career with Oldham Athletic and his former club collapsed in the face of a public outcry.
He sought leave to appeal following his conviction, which was dismissed in November 2012.
Richard Foster, chairman of the CCRC, said: "The decision of the commission is not a judgment on guilt or innocence in relation to Ched Evans, nor is it a judgment about the honesty or integrity of the victim or any other person involved in the case.
"Our role is to consider applications to see if, in our judgment, there is any basis on which to ask the court to hear a fresh appeal - that is our statutory responsibility.
"In this case we have identified new material which was not considered by the jury at trial and which in our view might have assisted the defence. In those circumstances, it is right and proper for the matter to be before the court so that they can decide whether or not the new information should affect the verdict in this case."
In its statement, the CCRC said it was very aware of the impact its decisions can have for victims of crimes and stressed the anonymity guaranteed by law for the victim in this case.
It said: "We have been particularly mindful of the targeted abuse suffered by the victim in this case and have sought to act accordingly.
"Since this application arrived in July 2014, we have been careful to keep her informed about stages of the commission's review so that, as far as it has been in our power to do so, she has learned about developments in the case from us rather than from any other source."


Wigan Warriors beat Huddersfield Giants 32-8 to reach Super League's Grand Final for a third successive year.

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Shaun Wane's side will meet the winners of Friday's second semi-final between Leeds Rhinos and St Helens at Old Trafford on 10 October.
Ben Flower, who was sent off in the 2014 Grand Final, and John Bateman went over for Wigan's first-half tries.
Dom Manfredi, a penalty try and Tony Clubb sealed a comfortable victory for the hosts.
Brett Ferres added a late consolation try for Huddersfield, who were denied a first Grand Final appearance by a clinical Warriors outfit that has not lost at a home game in Super League since June 2014.
Much of the focus in the build-up to Wigan's return to Old Trafford will be on Flower, whose dismissal and subsequent six-month ban for punching Lance Hohaia dominated the aftermath of their 14-6 defeat by St Helens 12 months ago.
It was Wales prop Flower who gave his side the perfect start in their semi-final, racing through a huge gap in the Giants defence for Wigan's first try.
Matty Bowen's penalty made it 8-0 and, after the visitors failed to register any points during their best spell of the first period, Manfredi's catch and offload set up Bateman to touch down in the corner.
Danny Brough got Huddersfield on the scoreboard with a successful penalty in the closing seconds of the first half.
Jermaine McGillvary, Super League's leading try scorer, was pushed into touch near the Warriors try-line as he attempted to reduce the deficit.
Wigan responded with two tries in quick succession, first Manfredi showing superb finishing ability and then the home side being awarded a penalty try.
The outstanding Bateman, having tapped the ball into the in-goal area, was tripped by Giants full-back Scott Grix as he attempted to ground the ball and the score was given after long deliberation by the video referee.
Bowen added another penalty and Ferres forced his way over from close range for Huddersfield, before Clubb's last-minute try started Wigan's celebrations.
Wigan Warriors coach Shaun Wane: "We defended really well, apart from the try they scored. We didn't attack that good - I think we need to be smarter next Saturday but we had a good mentality.
"I'm a firm believer that the team that wants it most will generally get it and we showed a lot of desire. Huddersfield have a lot of talent and they have the best defence in the competition, but we hung in there and showed a lot of desire to defend our line.
"We'll be better next week. We've got a nine-day turnaround and we'll use it wisely."
Huddersfield Giants coach Paul Anderson: "We never got going if I'm honest and the scoreline is probably a fair reflection of the game.
"I felt their attitude to the tough stuff was probably better than ours. I expected Wigan to be physical and we didn't quite go with them. They rolled their sleeves up and did some tough stuff.
"What's gone before doesn't matter. It's not how you start, it's how you finish. We built things nicely through the year but we haven't got the finish we wanted and it's very deflating."
Wigan Warriors: Bowen; Manfredi, Bateman, Gildart, Burgess; Williams, Smith; Crosby, McIlorum, Flower, Tomkins, Farrell, O'Loughlin.
Replacements: Powell, Clubb, Mossop, Patrick.
Huddersfield Giants: Grix; McGillvary, Cudjoe, Connor, Murphy; Brough, Ellis; Kopczak, Robinson, Huby, Wardle, Hughes, Ferres.
Replacements: Crabtree, Bailey, Lawrence, Ta'ai.
Referee: Ben Thaler
Attendance: 10,035


Manager Chris Coleman wants Wales to continue playing home matches at Cardiff City Stadium despite increased interest in the national team.

FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford says the 72,500-capacity Principality Stadium is an option.
But after Wales' run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals, Coleman wants to stay at the 33,000-seater home of Cardiff City.
"I would imagine we're going to stick to that, and we should stick to it." he said.
"We could gamble and go back to the Millennium Stadium. It is a magnificent stadium, we know that, we could get another 20,000 maybe, but we made a choice.
"I'd rather be playing at Cardiff City Stadium where there's 30,000 screaming Taffs breathing down the opposition's neck, and our boys feeding off that."
Wales will start their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign against Moldova at Cardiff City Stadium on 5 September.
It is understood they could play a friendly match at the Principality Stadium before it hosts the 2017 Champions League final.
Wales last played at the home of Welsh rugby in a 2-0 Euro 2012 qualifier defeat by England in March, 2011.
"We've got both options available to us," said Ford.
"If the demand is there we need to satisfy that demand whether that's at the Cardiff City Stadium or the Principality Stadium. But obviously it's not available to us for every single match."
Wales' momentous European Championship campaign saw them reach the semi-finals of a major tournament for the first time.
Coleman's men lost to Portugal in the last four on Wednesday but, having won four of their six games in France, Wales exceeded expectations with a string of generation-defining performances.
Before returning to Cardiff for Friday's homecoming parade, the players enjoyed a night out on their final evening in Dinard - the coastal Brittany town where they have been based during the tournament - while Coleman and his staff were also able to unwind.
"We watched the game [France's semi-final win over Germany] and had some pizza and a few cold beers, which were welcome," he added.
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"It was nice, a lovely atmosphere fair play. The local people in Dinard have given us such a welcome.
"They were playing our national anthem at the restaurant where we were. We sang that and then we sang the French national anthem.
"That whole feeling, I hope that's being projected back home, what the atmosphere has been like.
"I know there were one or two unsavoury moments at the start of the tournament but, predominantly, all we've seen is positivity from people from all different countries."


The studio behind classic shooter game Doom is inviting players to test the new version for free from 15 to 17 April.

"Simply download the beta and let the viscera fly," said Bethesda.
While many players expressed their delight on social media some complained that the new version felt slow and others took to the studio's message boards after facing server problems.
So far, 41% of 1,744 reviews on the Steam platform have been positive.
The BBC has contacted Bethesda for comment.
Doom was first released in 1993 and had 10 million players by 1995.
Software engineer and games developer Gary Riches told the BBC he grew up playing the original Doom games - and completed Doom 2 again just six months ago.
After trying out Doom 4 this morning, he said he felt the pace was much slower than its predecessors due to changes such as a single close-range shot no longer taking out an enemy, and the lack of weapons "hotspots" where weapons were created in the older games.
"I still like Doom 4 but it doesn't feel like Doom 4, it feels like a sequel to Quake or Unreal Tournament," he said.
"To me that's disappointing.
"It's still cool, it looks nice but it has lost what makes it Doom."
However, others were more impressed - YouTuber Matt Unsworth described it on Twitter as "unreal" and SavageCouchSQD said it was "amazing".


A Chinese businessman who pleaded guilty to hacking sensitive military information has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison in the US.

Su Bin admitted collaborating with hackers in the Chinese military to steal data from US defence companies between 2008 and 2014.
He was arrested in Canada in 2014 and extradited to the US.
The Chinese government has repeatedly denied any involvement in hacking foreign companies or governments.
In addition to the 46-month prison sentence, the Los Angeles court also ordered Su to pay a $10,000 (Â£7,600) fine.
"Su Bin's sentence is a just punishment for his admitted role in a conspiracy with hackers from the People's Liberation Army Air Force to illegally access and steal sensitive US military information," assistant attorney general John Carlin said in a statement.
"Su assisted the Chinese military hackers in their efforts to illegally access and steal designs for cutting-edge military aircraft that are indispensable to our national defence," he explained.
Mr Su pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to gain unauthorised access to a protected computer and to violate the Arms Export Control Act.
He said he helped the hackers for personal financial gain, admitting he passed on information to Chinese hackers about which persons, companies and technologies to target.
He also pleaded guilty to translating the stolen material into Chinese.
The hack had targeted information on transport planes and fighter jets that was then offered for sale to Chinese companies.
China and the US have regularly swapped accusations about who is behind the cyber-attacks they each suffer.
In 2015, China arrested a group of hackers after the US government supplied them with a list of cybercrime suspects, accused of having stolen research and development information.


Arlene Foster's latest finance paper increases the pressure on Stormont politicians as they continue to lock horns over welfare reform.

Until now the parties had been under the impression they had the benefit of a safety net that would allow Permanent Secretary of the Finance Department, David Sterling to pass an emergency 95% budget if an act has not passed through the assembly by the end of July.
A 5% cut to departmental coffers sounds unpleasant and potentially damaging to the provision of public services, but not a doomsday scenario.
However, the Arlene Foster paper introduces the added complication that Mr Sterling won't be able to authorise the Stormont departments to use other amounts, such as EU farm payments, fees from planning applications and money from pension funds.
This cash is known in accountant's jargon as 'accruing resources'.
The best piece of legislation I can find dealing with these resources appears to be the government Resources and Accounts Act (Northern Ireland) 2001.
Section seven of the explanatory notes makes the point that the 95% safety net option "applies only to the release of cash from the consolidated fund and cannot therefore cover the use of resources".
Adding these 'accruing resources' to the potential 5% cut means that, according to the Foster paper, David Sterling would have no option other than to impose a £2.8bn cut, which would puncture a very large hole through the middle of his safety net.
Expect the parties to wrangle over the figures. The welfare reform critics won't accept the Foster paper at face value.
Indeed, the Sinn Féin controlled agriculture department believes farm payments may still be authorised under European rules. However, the DUP will no doubt insist that the crisis can only be resolved if the Stormont House Agreement is implemented.
As things stand, Sinn Fein still appears intent on putting a "petition of concern" down against the Welfare Reform Bill if and when it comes to the assembly on Tuesday.
The SDLP, if they stick by their previous policy, might be expected to sign such a petition. However, there are indications that the Arlene Foster paper may have given the party serious pause for thought.
If the measure is vetoed, what's been dubbed a "zombie" executive may stagger on a bit longer, with London reluctant to take direct control of welfare and the DUP and Sinn Féin at logger heads over the way forward.
Then we might find out just how many pounds sterling we have in the David Sterling safety net.


A two-week-old baby died from "catastrophic and irreversible" brain injuries after being shaken by his father, a court has heard.

Medical experts said Joshua Millinson had suffered some of the most extreme brain injuries they had seen, Birmingham Crown Court heard.
He was not breathing and "floppy" when paramedics were called to his house on 24 October last year.
His father Daniel Sanzone denies murder.
The 23-year-old also denied child cruelty and causing or allowing Joshua's death.
Mother Zoe Howell, 19, who lived with Mr Sanzone in Whitburn Close, Pendeford, Wolverhampton, denied causing or allowing Joshua's death and child cruelty.
More on this and other stories from Birmingham and the Black Country
Prosecuting, Sally Howes QC told the court Joshua had suffered "some form of shaking".
Experts also found evidence of previous injuries, she said, including a "forcible twisting of bones" from about a week prior to the call-out and rib and leg fractures that may have predated previous hospital visits.
The court heard Mr Sanzone was alone with the baby in the lounge when Ms Howell, who was in the kitchen, heard a "thud" before Joshua began "screaming more than he normally would".
When she asked her partner what the noise was he told her he had "dropped the remote", but Ms Howell was said to have seen the remote "still in its usual place", according to the prosecution.
Ms Howes said Joshua was "lifeless" and "gasping for air" when picked up by Mr Sanzone, with Ms Howell's mother Sharon Howell - who lived with the couple - stepping in to begin CPR while her daughter was "hysterical".
Joshua was in intensive care at Birmingham Children's Hospital for nearly a month when a High Court order was issued to switch off his life support machine.
Ms Howell had objected, but her wishes were overruled after doctors said there was "no evidence he could see or hear".
The court heard Joshua had been taken to New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton on 19 October when his parents were concerned about a rash.
A doctor recorded "normal" observations, the court heard, but when he was referred to a paediatrics ward for further assessment he was discharged by his mother, who later failed to attend a medical review.
Ms Howes told the court Ms Howell "appreciated the danger her son was in" and "allowed the death to happen".
The trial continues.


Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd has backed his old side to come out on top against Celtic in next month's Scottish Cup semi-final.

It is the first meeting between the sides in the competition in more than five years.
"Over the next five or six weeks, I fully expect Rangers to have the league wrapped up, so they should be the confident team going into the game.
"For me right now, I would sway towards Rangers," Boyd said.
The last match between the sides was in last season's League Cup semi-final, with Celtic emerging as 2-0 victors.
Rangers appear to be a stronger proposition on the pitch now under manager Mark Warburton.
They are on course to seal promotion to Scotland's top flight at the end of the season, leading the Championship table by 12 points.
Boyd thinks the togetherness of the Rangers squad could give them the decisive edge over Celtic, who have faltered in recent weeks under Ronny Deila despite continuing to lead the Premiership.
"They've got that close-knit unit," said Boyd, who was impressed by the 4-0 win over Dundee.
"If you look at the way they performed on Saturday, it was excellent right from the word go.
"It's going to be close. I'm leaning towards Rangers in terms of the tight-knit group. They know exactly what they are doing.
"With a steady team, there's no chopping and changing. You are going to training all week fully expecting to play, whereas you look at Celtic - with the amount of bodies they've got going into training on a Monday morning expecting to play on a Saturday, they could field three or four teams."
Former Celtic striker Scott McDonald agrees that Rangers will provide Deila's men with a much sterner challenge than they did in the League Cup semi-final in February 2015.
"Rangers now you feel are much more ready for the challenge than they were 13 months ago," McDonald explained.
"Under Warburton, they've come on leaps and bounds and the football they've played at times has been very entertaining."
The Motherwell frontman believes the return of Scottish football's most famous rivalry is great for the game.
"Without being disrespectful to all the games in the leagues and the derbies, this is the one," said McDonald.
"It's rated as one of the best derbies in the world. So to have it back on the map again is fantastic for Scottish football.
"It really needs it within the game. We're hoping for a great spectacle.
"It certainly puts it back on the map. It's a chance for both teams to sort of stamp their authority on next season, psychologically you could say, and see where Rangers are really and if they have narrowed the gap from 13 months ago or not."


Wales striker Hal Robson-Kanu believes Euro 2016 qualification will be the perfect tribute to the late Gary Speed.

A point away to Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday will seal their place in the finals in France next summer.
Robson-Kanu says former manager Speed laid the foundations for the current success before his death in 2011.
"When Gary Speed took over a number of years ago he came in and changed the environment in the football nation," said the Reading striker.
"Before that there wasn't really a desire to win, to be the best, and to do as well as you can.
"But Speedo really implemented that and, when he passed, Chris Coleman came in and has now really taken that on and beyond."
Coleman was appointed Wales manager in January 2012 following the death of Speed.
Wales lost their first five games under Coleman but now the national side need only a point to qualify for next summer's European Championship finals.
"He's really taken the squad and the team forward and given us players the belief and desire to really achieve something," added Robson-Kanu.
"That is what we're on the verge of but, throughout the special moments we've had during the campaign, we've remembered the impact Speedo had when he came in. That will never be forgotten."
Robson-Kanu is expected to retain his place as the most advanced player in Wales' formation to face Bosnia in Zenica.
The 26-year-old has started the past six qualifiers, scoring once, as Wales have remained unbeaten to top the Group B standings.
His work-rate has not gone unnoticed by the Wales fans, who sang his name throughout last month's 0-0 draw with Israel in Cardiff.
"It's some job getting a song for my name and credit to the Barry Horns band," said Robson-Kanu, who has two goals in 28 appearances for Wales.
"It's a massive honour to have them singing my name like that.
"Being a national cult hero is special - but it's handy when you're playing next to Gareth Bale."


Damp patches, peeling wallpaper, draughty windows and dishes which never got washed may have been features of many people's student digs.

Even so, postgraduates tend to reminisce fondly about "the best days of our lives" spent in such conditions.
Cathays is Cardiff's heartland, with 70% of its 20,000 residents students at the time of the 2011 census.
But could a desire for better quality rooms be changing that?
Traditionally, students from Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan and the University of South Wales have lived mainly in the terraced streets around Crwys Road and Albany Road in Roath.
In 2011, 64% of Cathays' 6,724 properties were being let.
Of the 18,693 residents aged 16-74, 48% were full-time students and a further 22% were students working part-time.
But a number of factors could see that figure reduce considerably over the coming years.
A students' union said students are increasingly looking for better standards of accommodation - in many cases elsewhere - while estate agents have lists of "hundreds" of professionals waiting to move into the area instead.
Cardiff council has also limited the number of houses of multiple occupancy (HMO) in the Cathays and Plasnewydd wards to tackle problems like anti-social behaviour associated with students.
Another reason for a shift in the type of people living there is a lack of houses for sale near the city centre, with those available too expensive for many families to buy, according to estate agent Ross Hooper-Nash.
"The only way to live close to the city centre is to rent," he said.
As a result, his Jeffrey Ross firm has a waiting list that "runs into the hundreds" of people wanting to rent in Roath and Cathays, describing the market as "very competitive and buoyant".
Currently, Mr Hooper-Nash said a three-bedroom house can bring in £400 per room per month, with two-bed properties more.
Prices will continue to rise, he believes, not just because of demand from professionals, but because of foreign students willing to pay more for quality accommodation.
Unless more is built near the city centre, Mr Hooper-Nash sees other areas such as Grangetown, which have not been as popular in the past, becoming more desirable.
Despite this competition for properties in Cathays and Roath, there is still enough to meet student demand, according to Cardiff University's students' union.
"What is more likely to be the issue is the availability of quality housing for students to rent," said vice president for welfare, Hollie Cooke.
"Changes in renting behaviour seem to suggest that students are more aware of their rights now, which results in them looking for higher-quality accommodation."
A glut of modern developments are in the pipeline - including a 42-storey tower and another featuring dinner party rooms, a cinema and sky lounge in the city centre.
She also believes new requirements from the Rent Smart scheme, which was set up to tackle bad landlords, is fuelling a desire for better standards.
HMO licenses -  issued by law to ensure owners are competent and qualified to manage properties - are also believed to be having an effect.
To gain one in the Cathays and Plasnewydd ward, Cardiff council now has additional requirements for landlords that it says are to tackle issues such as waste and anti-social behaviour related to students.
Another problem this move is aimed at remedying is a finding from a 2005 survey that  8.9% of private houses in Cathays were "unfit".
Cardiff council's student liaison officer Emma Robson said the new HMO regulations should ensure there are not too many in one part of the city.
But financial advisor Jamie Allan said they will make it "very difficult" to convert existing residential properties in Cathays and Roath into student houses.
More significantly, he believes an extra 3% stamp duty on houses bought to rent should stop many investors entering the market.
Jack Mitchell of estate agent Taylors Countrywide believes the long-term intention is to reduce the number of students in Cathays and Roath.
"Landlords will need to apply and pay for these (HMO) licences, with less and less guarantee they will be approved," he said.
"Plus all the added improvements that come with HMO licensing (such as fire regulations, kitchen and bathroom standards).
"This should lead to less new student properties becoming available for rent in the next few years and will also have an effect on sales process for properties with a HMO licence already in place."
His company has a waiting list of about 80 people keen to rent in the area, with Mr Mitchell citing reasons such as proximity to the city centre and school catchment areas for the popularity.
In Roath, a two-bed house can bring in £900 per month and £1,200 for a three-bed, with Cathays able to command £700 and £1,000.
Despite student houses bringing in more money, he added: "Professionals will always be more attractive to landlords simply due to reputation and wear and tear with the property."
And the non-student demand will keep growing, he believes, because, unlike in Bristol and London, living near to Cardiff city centre is still affordable for most.


A man has been charged with the murder of a woman who died of a head injury before her body was set alight.

Albertina Choules, 81, died at her home in Ragmans Lane, near Marlow Bottom, Buckinghamshire, on 6 July.
Tautuydas Narbutas, 23, of Chiltern Avenue, High Wycombe, was arrested on suspicion of murder last Wednesday.
Mr Narbutas, who was also charged with two counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, appeared before magistrates earlier.
He was remanded in custody and is due at Reading Crown Court on Thursday.
In a statement, the family of Ms Choules, known as Tina, said she was "incredibly special, as was her simple, self-sufficient way of life with no electricity, television or washing machine".
She was "completely selfless" and would be missed "very dearly", they added.


With the World Cup in Ireland in August, teams have the twin challenges of building momentum for that as well as claiming the Six Nations crown.

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Some sides had the challenge of reintegrating players from the Olympic sevens teams in the autumn, now it is a chance for the coaches to try out combinations and build depth.
The announcement of full-time professional contracts for England's women is incredibly beneficial for the women's game generally and for those players personally.
I expect them to be the chief threat to France once again after the dramatic winner-takes-all match between them on the final weekend of last season's tournament.
Here are the contenders for the title, starting with last season's champions:
I don't know the ins and out of the structure and politics at the French Federation, but in December they sacked Jean-Michel Gonzalez and Philippe Laurent - the coaches that guided them to the title last year.
It does not leave much time for the players to adapt to Samuel Cherouk, get used to his way of playing and implement changes.
They are still a strong side. In the autumn, they narrowly lost 10-5 to England and beat the United States twice so they will still be going in with a decent team.
Their pack is probably their biggest strength - they tend to score a lot of their tries through their catch and drive line-out.
Their opener against England on Saturday at Twickenham (19:35 GMT kick-off) could be crucial for deciding the title's destination.
Key player: Safi N'Diaye (Montpellier): She plays number eight, is very physical - similar to England's Billy Vunipola - and is a strong ball-carrier and skilful at off-loading. She is integral to France's attack, providing the go-forward.
Prediction: 2nd (last season: champions)
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As professional players, England now have the time to refine their fitness, work on their skills and get the rest when they need it.
They were a little slow to get going in the autumn as coach Simon Middleton brought those who had been playing sevens back into the fold, but still managed to register wins over France, Ireland and Canada and push New Zealand close.
There is a huge amount of experience in their ranks as well with Rochelle Clark leading the way on 117 caps and Tamara Taylor just short of a century on 98.
Key player: Marlie Packer (Bristol) Marlie has taken over the open-side flanker role that I used to fulfil for England. She is physical, aggressive and dominates the breakdown, turning over the opposition ball, as well as hitting good lines in the loose.
Prediction: Champions (last season: 2nd)
From the words of coach Tom Tierney it sounds like a positive environment in the Ireland camp as he develops younger players and depth before hosting the World Cup in the summer.
The women's game in Ireland is going from strength to strength, with them competing in their first autumn series last year.
They pushed England incredibly close, going down by just two points, as well as playing the world's number three and one sides in Canada and New Zealand.
It was a tough series, but they are growing as a team and getting more consistent.
Key player: Claire Molloy (Bristol) Ireland's number seven is small, but packs a big punch. She is integral to the team.
Prediction: Fourth (last season: third)
Rowland Phillips took charge of Wales in July and since then they have won four games out of four.
Their most recent win was a 22-14 victory away in Ireland and they will come into the Six Nations with lots of positive momentum.
As a former Wales international, Phillips knows what it takes to be successful and that is rubbing off on the players. He has been speaking about consistency and rewarding players for good performances.
They have got a tough World Cup group alongside New Zealand - the emphasis will be on having a very strong Six Nations to build into that.
Key player: Jasmine Joyce (Scarlets) Joyce was the only player from Wales to make the GB Sevens side for Rio 2016. She is pure gas and will be hard for the opposition to contain.
Prediction: Third (last season: fourth)
Italy have shown improvement at every Six Nations since they joined in 2007.
They finished fifth in the tournament last year and, although I wouldn't say they are potential champions, you can never count them out of any game.
They were just two points behind England approaching the hour mark in last year's Six Nations and, in the same World Cup group as the Red Roses later this year, they will want to show they can mix it with big teams.
They have three games at home and that will benefit them as well.
Key player: Manuela Furlan (Aylesford Bulls) She is a strong, balanced runner and great finisher and will benefit from playing her domestic rugby in England.
Prediction: Fifth (last season: fifth)
Scotland failed to qualify for the World Cup after losing both their qualifying matches against Spain unfortunately.
The silver lining to that might be that it might help their focus on this tournament.
On a positive note, they have young players coming through and a coach in Shade Munro who is trying to develop the team.
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I would love to see them turn in some of the performances that they managed back in 2010 when they beat France and drew with Italy, if they could do that again that would be great.
However, based on their performances and the improvements of the other teams I think another wooden spoon is most realistic.
Key player: Jade Konkel (Hillhead Jordanhill) Konkel is their only full-time player and her return after missing those games against Spain will be timely. She is a big unit, who at number eight offers them a lot of leadership, presence and ball-carrying.
Prediction: 6th (last season: 6th)


An out-of-town shopping development in Northamptonshire has been recommended for approval by planning officers.

The Â£50m Rushden Lake retail park, which would include 20 shops and create 1,500 jobs, is proposed for the outskirts of Rushden.
East Northamptonshire District council's planners are recommending the project is approved at a meeting next week.
But many surrounding councils have objected to the proposal.
Developer LXB Retail Properties, which owns the land, submitted the planning application in December 2011.
Paul Bell, leader of Wellingborough Council, said the town had no objections to the plans.
He said: "Councillors didn't believe the development would be in competition with Wellingborough town centre.
"The choice of retailers would be different and in fact it could be a catalyst for Wellingborough's regeneration and a stepping stone to attracting big name retailers to the town."
Corby, Kettering, Northampton and Bedford councils have objected to the plans, fearing an adverse impact on their town centres.
Leader of Northampton Borough Council, David Mackintosh said: "We are at a critical point in the development of our town and the proposed Rushden Lakes project could jeopardise all of this, putting jobs and investment at risk in Northampton.
"After studying the proposals our planning committee has raised a number of strong objections which will be heard by East Northamptonshire Council."
Planning officials said the project would regenerate the area, create jobs and new recreational facilities.
East Northamptonshire councillors will discuss the plans on 10 October.


A densely-populated country on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, Israel is the only state in the world with a majority Jewish population.

It has been locked in conflict with the Palestinians and its Arab neighbours over ownership of land considered holy by many Jews, Christians and Muslims since its creation in 1948.
The division of the former British Mandate of Palestine and the creation of the State of Israel in the years after the end of World War II was the culmination of the Zionist movement, whose aim was a homeland for Jews hitherto scattered all over the world.
After the Nazi Holocaust, pressure grew for the international recognition of a Jewish state, and in 1948 Israel declared its independence following a UN vote to partition Palestine.
Country profiles compiled by BBC Monitoring
Much of the history of the area since that time has been one of conflict between Israel on one side and Palestinians - represented by the Palestine Liberation Organisation - and Israel's Arab neighbours, on the other. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinian Arabs were displaced in the fighting in 1948, during which Israel's Arab neighbours came to the aid of the Arab Higher Committee in Palestine. Israel lost one percent of its population in the fighting, which ended in a series of uneasy armistices.
Israel has developed from an agrarian state run along collectivist lines into a hi-tech economy in the past 60 years. It has absorbed Jewish immigrants from Europe, the rest of the Middle East, North America and, most recently, the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia along the way.
Its political life has nonetheless been dominated by the conflict with its Arab neighbours, including full-scale regional wars in 1948, 1967 and 1973, and many smaller-scale conflicts including the 1956 invasion of Egypt and the Lebanon wars of 1982 and 2006.
Relations with the Palestinians have been a major factor in foreign and security policy. The Palestinians in the West Bank and eastern Jerusalem have lived under Israeli occupation since 1967. The settlements that Israel has built in the West Bank are home to nearly 500,000 people and are deemed to be illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this.
Israel evacuated its settlers from the Gaza Strip in 2005 and withdrew its forces, ending almost four decades of military presence inside Gaza. Israel continues to control Gaza's air space and coastal approaches, on the basis of which the UN considers Gaza still to be occupied territory. After the militant Islamic group Hamas reinforced its power in Gaza in June 2007, Israel intensified its economic blockade of the Strip. In 2008 and in 2014 it launched major military assaults on Gaza to halt cross-border rocket attacks.
In 1979 Egypt and Israel signed a peace agreement, but it wasn't until the early 1990s, after years of an uprising known as the intifada, that a peace process began with the Palestinians. Despite the handover of Gaza and parts of the West Bank to Palestinian control, a final agreement has yet to be reached.
The main stumbling blocks include the status of Jerusalem, the fate of Palestinian refugees and their descendants, Jewish settlements, and attacks by Palestinian armed groups.


Cardiff City boss Neil Warnock has confirmed the club will start discussing a new contract for midfielder Peter Whittingham.

On 11 January, 32-year-old Whittingham will have been with the Bluebirds a decade, but his latest deal in the Welsh capital runs out in the summer.
It looks certain Whittingham will commit his future to the Bluebirds by signing a new contract.
"We'll talk about that before the FA Cup probably," said Warnock.
Cardiff face Fulham in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday, 8 December, but before that, on Monday 2 January, the Bluebirds entertain Whittingham's former club, Aston Villa in the Championship.
Back in 2007, then-Cardiff boss Dave Jones, bought Whittingham from Villa for a fee of £350,000.
Since then, the dead-ball specialist has established himself as one of the most popular players ever to pull on a Cardiff shirt.
He has been named in the Championship Team of the Season three times and, in 2015, he was included in the Football League Team of the Decade.
Whittingham also finished joint-top scorer in the Championship in the 2009-10 campaign having found the net 20 times in the league for the Bluebirds.
During his time with Cardiff, Whittingham has turned down the chance of a move away from the Welsh club.
This season he is currently the club's joint-top scorer in the league having found the net five times so far.
But despite that, Warnock says he will not be rushed into a new contract to keep the midfielder.
"That's the least of my worries at the minute. I haven't sorted my own [contract] out yet, let alone Peter's," joked Warnock.
"Peter knows, I've said to him, 'you'll be here as long as me Peter' and he laughed and said, I know, that's what worries me.
"No, we've got a few days [before the Fulham game] then we've got no league points to worry about so we'll probably have a chat during that period."


A fire that killed an elderly man at his home on South Uist was not suspicious, investigators have said.

William Hanks, 83, was found inside the house at Kildonan by firefighters called to the incident on Wednesday.
A joint investigation by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland concluded there were no suspicious circumstances.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: "Our thoughts continue to be with Mr Hanks' family at this tragic time."
The fire was quickly brought under control and no-one else was at the property at the time.


Scotland's Brexit minister has said there are no circumstances in which SNP MPs would back triggering Article 50.

Mike Russell told the BBC Sunday Politics Scotland programme that no possible amendments to the plan to begin Brexit could win them over.
He said Scotland was opposed to the kind of United Kingdom Theresa May wants it to be.
The prime minister said earlier this week the Scottish government should be "fully engaged" in the Brexit process.
Asked if SNP representatives in the House of Commons are certain to oppose Article 50, Mr Russell said: "Absolutely.
"I can't conceive of circumstances in which we would support the triggering of Article 50.
"As I say, the triggering not only takes this forward in an unacceptable way, it declares the type of country that Theresa May wants this country to be.
"That's not the country that I and my colleagues, and indeed all of Scotland, want it to be."
The prime minister wrote this week of her willingness to take seriously Scottish government plans to retain close trade links with the EU.
She said: "From the start I've been determined that the Scottish government should be fully engaged in the process and my commitment remains absolute.
"I welcome the Scottish government's paper."
John Lamont MSP, the Scottish Conservative chief whip, added: "While the UK government is pressing ahead with plans to ensure Britain is ready for the  challenges of the future, the SNP government is leading Scotland down a blind alley of higher taxes and uncertainty over independence.
"The comments from Mike Russell today simply confirm what we have long suspected, that the SNP has no interest in working constructively with the UK government on Brexit.
"The prime minister has made it clear that she wants a deal that works for all parts of the UK, but the SNP are intent only on creating further division."


Barnet's winless run extended to six games as Liam Shephard's late goal for Yeovil denied the hosts at the Hive.

Sloppy Barnet defending had led to Ben Whitfield putting the visitors ahead but Michael Nelson nodded the home side level from a corner before the break.
The Bees looked to have won it when Ryan Watson's free-kick from long range went in through a crowded area.
But on-loan Swansea defender Shephard netted his first goal for Yeovil from close range to level in stoppage time.
The draw sees the Glovers move 12 points clear of the relegation zone, four points below Barnet.
Match ends, Barnet 2, Yeovil Town 2.
Second Half ends, Barnet 2, Yeovil Town 2.
Goal!  Barnet 2, Yeovil Town 2. Liam Shephard (Yeovil Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ben Whitfield.
Substitution, Barnet. Elliot Johnson replaces David Tutonda.
Goal!  Barnet 2, Yeovil Town 1. Ryan Watson (Barnet) from a free kick with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.
Substitution, Barnet. Luke Coulson replaces Simeon Akinola because of an injury.
Attempt missed. Matthew Dolan (Yeovil Town) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Substitution, Yeovil Town. Shayon Harrison replaces Tom Eaves.
Foul by John Akinde (Barnet).
Ryan Dickson (Yeovil Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Mauro Vilhete (Barnet) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Matthew Dolan (Yeovil Town).
Charlie Clough (Barnet) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Tom Eaves (Yeovil Town).
Corner,  Yeovil Town. Conceded by Michael Nelson.
Foul by Bira Dembélé (Barnet).
Tom Eaves (Yeovil Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt saved. Ben Whitfield (Yeovil Town) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Substitution, Barnet. Justin Amaluzor replaces Jamal Campbell-Ryce.
Corner,  Barnet. Conceded by Kevin Dawson.
Attempt blocked. Simeon Akinola (Barnet) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Corner,  Yeovil Town. Conceded by David Tutonda.
Attempt saved. John Akinde (Barnet) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Attempt missed. Charlie Clough (Barnet) header from the right side of the box is high and wide to the left.
Ryan Watson (Barnet) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Tom Eaves (Yeovil Town).
Ryan Watson (Barnet) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Matthew Dolan (Yeovil Town).
Tom Champion (Barnet) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Tom Eaves (Yeovil Town).
Attempt missed. Tom Eaves (Yeovil Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right.
Attempt blocked. Tom Eaves (Yeovil Town) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
Ryan Watson (Barnet) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Matthew Dolan (Yeovil Town).
Tom Champion (Barnet) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Matthew Dolan (Yeovil Town).
Attempt blocked. David Tutonda (Barnet) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Jamal Campbell-Ryce (Barnet) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Francois Zoko (Yeovil Town).
Attempt missed. Ryan Watson (Barnet) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.


Beer is officially banned in Kano but as the sun sets in the northern Nigerian city, the outside seating at bars quickly begins to fill with drinkers, Christian and Muslims alike.

These establishments selling alcohol are along a road in the Sabon Gari suburb, an area set aside for non-Muslim residents of the bustling commercial centre.
Here Sharia does not apply, so these beer parlours, as they are called, are tolerated by the Hisbah - the city's Islamic police force.
"Business is booming," says barman Paul Bini.
"It gets very full - both men and women come and people from outside Sabon Gari."
He is referring to those from the Hausa community, the Muslims who come to Sabon Gari to secretly enjoy its nightlife.
The bars here stay open until the early hours of the morning most days of the week.
Loud music plays and football matches are often shown on small TV sets; and in the early evening prostitutes gather on the other side of the ditch between the beer parlours and the road.
"Without the Hausa community, the beer business in Sabon Gari would collapse," says Dr Patrick Ayelangbe, the leader of Kano's Non-Indigenes Community Leaders Association (Nicola) - representing the city's residents who originally come from other parts of Nigeria.
And on a visit to the bars one evening many of the drinkers are Hausa Muslims: Two men sitting at an outside table with bottles of beer agree to talk but refuse to have their photos taken - as is the case with most drinkers.
They say that they do not want to be recognised by their families - and they add that many Muslims chose to come here in the safety of darkness to drink.
"Sometimes three times in a week I come," says businessman Mohammed Abdul.
His companion Tanko Ali Aware says if a Muslim is arrested for drinking alcohol by the Sharia police in Kano, the punishment is to humiliate their family.
"When you are caught, you are shown on the TV: 'Look at this person, he's the son of this, the grandfather of this,'" he says.
But the Hisbah tend not to raid the bars, so the drinkers are safe.
"I have seen the Hisbah passing by, but they never come to disturb us," says Victor Akpan, who manages what he says is Old School Bar - though some of his regular customers dispute the name - most of the ramshackle buildings only having posters from breweries as signage.
It is known for showing Chelsea matches, as Mr Akpan is a fan of the Blues.
The small beer parlour does a roaring trade, making up to 60,000 naira ($300; Â£200) a night - that works out at more than 200 bottles of beer.
"But we give our customers what they want, so my customer if he is a Barcelona fan - definitely I'll put Barcelona match on because I want money - that's entertainment," says Mr Akpan.
Two of his customers squeeze inside by the bar counter, where a television is showing an English Premiership match, chatting politics ahead of the elections later this month.
"We've been coming here for 10 years drinking comfortably," says Adams Mohammed, a 55-year-old technician.
He and his friend - who did not want to be identified - said that there was no tension between Kano's different communities - and their only complaint was that occasionally the beer was not cold enough.
Antonia John, beer parlour owner:
"Now only God can protect us"
The one problem the beer parlours sometimes face is getting the alcohol into Kano as trucks carrying the boxes of bottles are often stopped by the Hisbah.
"You have to pay, then they will allow you [to go] - if they don't allow, they take you to station, they seize the goods," explains Mr Bini.
When this happens it leads to a scarcity of popular beers and stouts but this generally just means higher prices - the bars of Sabon Gari never run dry, says Mr Bini.
However, confiscations, and the public destruction of the bottles, occur rarely, perhaps once a year - the last shortage he says he can remember was in November.
The beer parlours of Sabon Gari have been targeted several times in the past by the Boko Haram Islamist militants - the last attack was in May 2014 at a nearby bar.
"It affects all our business," says Antonia John, who has been running her successful bar and restaurant in Sabon Gari for 17 years - she started just before Sharia was introduced in Kano state in 2000.
Drinkers tend to stay away for about a month but they crowd back, she says.
However, there are no security checks and although she recognises many of her customers, strangers do come by to drink- so it would be hard to identify a prospective attacker.
"Now only God can protect us," she says.
The regular police though do often put in an appearance, to arrest prostitutes.
"The girls run down back here [to the bars] and sit, the police won't come here, but if they catch them over there [on the road] then they will arrest them," says Mr Abdul.
But the barmen say it tends to be a money-making operation as the police usually let the women go if they are paid some money.
Femi Mohammed, a fitness instructor who has lived in Sabo Gari for seven years, says the suburb is too much of a magnet, especially for the Hausa community, for people to stay away from the bars.
"I notice people love drinking... and will drink despite the bombing."


A Soyuz rocket has launched from French Guiana with the first satellite in the European Union's new multi-billion-euro Earth-observation programme.

The Sentinel-1a spacecraft has been put in orbit on a mission to map the planet's surface using radar.
It will be followed by a fleet of other satellites - also called Sentinels - over the next five years.
Brussels is describing its Copernicus programme as the biggest ever effort to characterise our world.
When the full satellite system is operational, it will be producing daily some eight terabytes of data to detail the state of Earth's land surface, its oceans and its atmosphere.
European nations have so far committed 7.5bn euros (Â£6.2bn; $10.3bn) to the project. But the vision for Copernicus is that it is unending - that every Sentinel satellite is replaced at the demise of its mission, ensuring there is continuity of information deep into this century.
"Once all the Sentinel satellites have been launched, the Copernicus programme will be the most efficient and fullest Earth-observation programme in the world," said European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.
"This investment will allow Europe to establish itself at the forefront of research and innovation in a cutting-edge sector - namely, space.  Many skilled jobs have been created and many more are yet to come."
The Soyuz carrying the first radar observer lifted clear of the Sinnamary launch pad on the Guianese coast at 18:02 local time (21:02 GMT; 22:02 BST).
The ride to an altitude of 699km took 23 minutes. A signal confirming a clean separation for Sentinel-1a from the rocket was received shortly afterwards.
Controllers at the European Space Agency's (Esa) operations centre in Darmstadt, Germany, must now commission the spacecraft.
The first hours will be spent sending commands to the satellite to get it to unpack its solar wings and the panels of its radar instrument.
These were all folded to fit inside the Soyuz. The task should be complete by early morning on Friday, European time.
Formal entry into service is expected in about three months' time, although it is likely that the platform will start imaging the Earth as early as next week to begin the process of instrument calibration.
Radar has myriad uses, from monitoring shipping lanes for pollution or icebergs, to mapping land surfaces to track deforestation or the performance of rice production.
However, a key use for Sentinel-1a will be in disaster response.
Copernicus uses a range of technologies to get a broad picture of the health status of the planet
Radar is especially good at detecting the extent of flood waters, and this type of image is also regularly employed following major earthquakes to assess the damage to infrastructure.
Sentinel-1a will test a new laser-based data-relay system that will be at the heart of the Copernicus system. The technology, developed by German engineers, will not only handle more data than traditional downlinks but speed the information's receipt on Earth.
"The laser terminal will reduce the access time to data from hours to minutes," explained Esa Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain.
"In the case of natural catastrophes, saving time will save lives."
Five further Sentinel-themed missions with different types of sensors should be in orbit by 2019.
The idea is that the satellites are flown as pairs so that the revisit periods to locations on the Earth to take the next swath of images are kept as short as possible.
Thus, a Sentinel-1b will be launched next year. Sentinels 1c and 1d will be sent up to take over observing duties when it looks like 1a and 1b might be about to fail.
In this way, Copernicus and its dedicated Sentinels will start to build continuous, cross-calibrated, long-term datasets.
These will be a boon to climate studies. But the EU hopes the data will prove to be a powerful tool also to help design and enforce community-wide polices, covering diverse areas such as fish stocks management, air quality regulation, and keeping track of waste disposal practices.
Copernicus is the EU's second major space project after the Galileo satellite-navigation system, which is also in the process of roll-out.
As with "Europe's GPS", Esa has been engaged as the procurement agent, designing the satellites' requirements and contracting with industry to produce them.
Sentinel-1a's construction has been led by Thales Alenia Space (Italy/France), with its C-band radar instrument and electronics coming from Airbus (Germany and UK).
Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk and follow me on Twitter: @BBCAmos


Jurors are due to start their 10th day of deliberations in a trial about alleged historical abuse in Wrexham in the 1980s.

Five men have already been found guilty and a sixth man has been cleared in the case at Mold Crown Court, which heard boys were assaulted at sex parties.
The jury has been considering charges regarding final defendant Keith Stokes, 62, from Farndon, Chester.
The trial began in April.
The men were arrested as part of the Operation Pallial investigation into historical abuse across north Wales.


A woman may have been alive when she was stuffed into a suitcase and thrown into a canal in north-west London, the Old Bailey has heard.

The body of Marta Ligman, 23, was found in the Grand Union Canal in Little Venice days after it had been dumped.
A post mortem test revealed injuries from a beating and hypothermia caused by being trapped in a confined space.
Ms Ligman's boyfriend, Tomasz Kocik, 38, a Polish national, of Buckingham Road, Harlesden, denies murder.
Prosecutor Tim Cray told the court Ms Ligman was either "dead or dying" by the time she was dumped in the water.
He said: "If the initial attack had not killed her outright, the fact that she was then zipped into a suitcase and left inside would also have proved fatal."
The jury heard that on 1 May, Mr Kocik was seen on CCTV dragging a large suitcase which seemed "extremely heavy" half a mile from his home to the canal towpath before returning home with wet trousers.
The court was also told Ms Ligman's identity and bank cards were found burned and cut up along the same route and Mr Kocik failed to report her missing until after the discovery of a body was reported on the news.
The couple had met online, the court was told, with Miss Ligman moving from Poland to London in 2012 to live with Mr Kocik.
Mr Cray told jurors that Miss Ligman's colleagues described Mr Kocik as an "obsessively jealous controlling boyfriend" who was violent towards her.
He said: "They saw her with unexplained injuries such as black eyes and facial bruising. In addition he would wait for her every day outside work and get angry if he didn't know where she was."
The court heard Miss Ligman's body was found by people on board a houseboat moored at Maida Vale who called police after spotting the suitcase with human hair coming out of it.
The trial continues.


BT has announced it will create 1,000 UK jobs as part of a commitment to answer more of its customer calls from within the UK.

The telecoms giant pledged in September that 80% of its consumer customer calls would be dealt with in Britain by the end of this year.
Currently just half of such calls are answered in the UK, with the rest answered in Bangalore and Delhi.
BT said the roles would be created between now and April 2017.
The jobs will be spread across BT's UK call centres, with an initial 100 created in Swansea.
In total, BT's consumer division has committed to spending an extra Â£80m over two years to improve its performance in answering customer calls.
"We will have created 2,000 permanent UK jobs by the end of this process, including agency transfers, which is a fantastic boost for the UK economy," said BT Consumer customer care director Libby Barr.
Communications regulator Ofcom said in December that BT was one of the most complained about companies for both its TV and broadband services.
BT's announcement comes just days after after the company's takeover of mobile phone network EE was given final clearance by the Competition and Markets Authority.
The deal creates a communications giant covering fixed-line phones, broadband, mobile and TV.


A pupil has been injured after an airgun was fired at a Pembrokeshire school.

The Year 11 pupil brought a BB gun - an airgun firing lightweight pellets - to Pembroke School on Tuesday and fired a pellet across a PE changing room.
The council said it struck another pupil in the face causing what are believed to be superficial injuries.
Staff at the school called the police and helped to track down the pupil and recover the weapon.
The injured student was taken to hospital.


Borrowers with "persistent debt" but who manage to make minimum repayments are receiving little help from credit card firms, a regulator has warned.

The Financial Conduct Authority said these customers were profitable for card providers and so there were few incentives for the firms to intervene.
It said customers should be encouraged to pay off more of their debt when they could.
The FCA inquiry has analysed the five-year history of 34 million cardholders.
The City watchdog also interviewed 40,000 people about their credit card use. Its interim findings include:
The watchdog said while there was strong competition for some customers and products, other customers were not being targeted.
Providers were quick to intervene when customers missed payments as they were "extremely unprofitable", but the same was not true of those just getting by.
Joanna Elson, chief executive of the Money Advice Trust, which runs National Debtline, said: "The FCA is absolutely right to be concerned about the 1.6 million people who are just about surviving by making minimum payments, often on multiple credit cards.
"As the report highlights, credit card companies usually intervene effectively to help customers who begin to miss payments, and many work closely with debt advice charities to make sure customers get the free advice they need.
"A more consistent similar approach to customers who are routinely making minimum payments would be enormously beneficial."
The watchdog wants feedback from its report and will publish its final report in spring next year.
Christopher Woolard, director of strategy at the FCA, said: "This is a really important market in the UK. Around 60% of adults have at least one credit card, and there is an estimated Â£61bn in outstanding balances.
"Our study suggests that the market is working reasonably well for most consumers, with a range of cards on offer. However, for a significant minority who are in persistent levels of debt, the market could potentially work better."
The UK Cards Association, which represents the major credit card providers, said the industry had a "long standing commitment to responsible lending".
"The FCA has found the great majority of the 30 million credit card holders in the UK use their cards for payments and borrowing in a manageable way and value the flexibility and convenience of credit cards," said Richard Koch, head of policy at the association.