This e-bulletin provides a short summary of the latest on the South West Regional Assembly's South West Climate Change Action Plan’s (SWCCAP) development, plus other topical information and links on climate change issues.
This month the Climate Change Team has been working to:
- Make significant revisions to the SWCCAP in response to input from the Core Group and SWRA Task and Finish Group.
- Facilitate meetings with relevant experts to discuss and refine the actions within the SWCCAP.
- Develop the Technical Appendix (evidence base) for the SWCCAP and, with the support of the South West Observatory network, initiate a peer review process.
- Support the work of independent advisors on a project to create a methodology for mapping vulnerability to extreme weather events within the region.
- Collate responses from the stakeholder consultation process for the SWCCAP.
Timetable for SWCCAP Development:
- Regional stakeholders have been consulted on a revised draft of the Action Plan. The comments received from stakeholders will be presented to the SW Climate Change Action Task and Finish Group meeting on 12 June 2008 and at a re-drafting meeting of the core regional bodies on 13 June.
- Final revisions will be made to the plan in light of discussions on the 12 and 13 June.
- Subject to Members’ approval, a final draft SWCCAP will be presented to the SWRA Full Assembly on 18 July.
- The delivery programme is under development in tandem with work on the Plan; it will be fully worked up following final agreement of the Plan in July.
Climate Change Task and Finish Group meetings:
Papers from the last Task and Finish Group meeting on the 24 April 2008 can be downloaded by clicking here.
The next meeting will be held on 12 June 2008. The agenda and papers can be downloaded by clicking here.
Work plans for SWCCAP development in June/July:
- Analyse input from the stakeholder consultation process.
- Final revisions and refinements to the plan will be made following stakeholder input and the results of a sustainability appraisal by Sustainability South West.
- A Communications Strategy for the Plan will be developed.
- SWRA officers will continue to work on the delivery programme for implementation of the plan.
- The Technical Appendix will be developed and revised in light of the ongoing Peer Review process.
Upcoming Conferences on Climate Change Related Issues:
Government IT Goes Green
QEII Conference Centre, Westminster, Tuesday 16 September 2008
With the public sector under pressure to reduce the size of its collective footprint, one question is increasingly cropping up: how green is your IT?
Tom Watson, Minister for Transformational Government, and others are due to speak live about Transformational Government and Sustainable IT Management. For a programme and booking here.
'Sustainable Communities 08: Delivering Homes - Creating Communities'
The Barbican Centre, London, 6 November 2008
This Conference will look into ways the Government can drive the 15 eco-towns forward, looking at the key aspects of spatial planning, reducing the carbon footprint of our new homes, and building the required infrastructure that can support the influx of up to 20,000 new residents, without causing harm to the local bio-diversity. Places are complimentary to the public sector. For more information click here.
Consultations:
Consultation on the EU Commission's proposals to amend the EU ETS from 2013
The European Commission is consulting on a package of proposals for tackling climate change and delivering a low carbon economy in Europe.
These proposals together aim to implement the decisions agreed by EU Heads of State and Government at the March 2007 Spring European Council, including a 20 per cent reduction in EU GHG emissions by 2020 from 1990 levels, increasing to 30 per cent when there is an international climate agreement; 20 per cent of total EU energy consumption to come from renewable energy sources by 2020 and measures to support carbon capture and storage (CCS).
The consultation closes on 30 July 2008. For more information click here.
Renewable Energy consultation
(From SWUKBO)
In January 2008, the European Commission set out a proposal for securing 20 per cent of all the EU’s energy from renewable sources by 2020. The proposal covers electricity, heating and cooling and transport.
A consultation has been launched by the Committee of the Regions on the working document responding to the European Commission's Renewable Energy proposals. Click here for more information on this consultation.
Topical News:
Defra grants for bio-energy
(From RDA national newsletter)
Defra is inviting industrial, commercial and community sectors to apply for grants to support the installation of biomass-fuelled heating and combined heat and power projects, including anaerobic digesters.
The £4 million, available through the Bio-Energy Capital Grants scheme, is aimed at encouraging biomass-fuelled heat and power equipment in industrial processes, producing lower CO2 emissions.
In addition, farmers, foresters and biomass producers can apply for up to £200,000 each under a new round of grants. The Bio-energy Infrastructure Scheme will support the biomass industry in England by helping those supplying biomass fuel for use in heat and electricity generation. Click here for more information on this.
CONCERTO III Funding
The CONCERTO III programme is an EU initiative which supports local communities to develop innovative strategies demonstrating the environmental, economic and social benefits of integrating renewable energy and energy efficiency techniques through a sustainable energy-management system operated on a community level.
CONCERTO will fund projects involving a partnership of organisations, which include local authorities and research organisations.
A call for proposals has been launched with a deadline of 8 October 2008. Email the SWUKBO for more details.
15 locations shortlisted for next stage of eco-towns programme(From RegenSW newsletter)
The 15 locations shortlisted for the first new eco-towns in England in 40 years have been revealed by the government. The shortlist includes proposed Imerys Development near St Austell, and the final ten that were chosen as eco-towns will be finalised in the next six months.
Ministers want five eco-towns built by 2016, and the other half completed by 2020. The largest will provide between 15,000 and 20,000 new homes, and all towns will have to reach zero-carbon standards and be built on brownfield land. To read the eco-towns consultation click here.
£8 million for microgeneration projects
(From RegenSW)
The Community Sustainable Energy Programme is providing £8 million to community-based organisations for the installation of microgeneration technologies and energy efficiency measures, including loft and cavity wall insulation.
It will also provide £1 million for project development grants that will help communities. Schools, village halls, visitor centres and other community-based organisations in England can benefit from this programme. Applications are being accepted now. For more information click here.
Expanded remit for Regen SW(From RegenSW)
Since the beginning of the new financial year, Regen SW has had an extended remit. While continuing to support the region’s renewable energy industry, the South West RDA is also funding Regen SW to take on a new role to support the region’s energy-efficiency sector.
The major focus will still be on accelerating the uptake of renewable energy, but Regen SW’s remit will now also involve championing effective energy-demand-reduction initiatives. Activities will gradually be introduced to help businesses in the energy-efficiency sector, which are expected to include an energy efficiency company directory, networking events, support for energy-efficiency companies at trade shows, and hosting the Energy Savings Trust representative in the region. To visit the Regen SW website click here.
South West C+ Carbon Positive Awards
The winners of the South West C+ Carbon Positive Awards have now been revealed, demonstrating the best examples of sustainability in the region.
With almost 100 entries in their first year, the awards encourage responsible business practices ultimately increasing the positive impact businesses, organisations and communities are having on society and the environment.
The South West C+ Carbon Positive Awards have been developed by the South West of England Regional Development Agency (RDA) and are supported by Business in the Community and Sustainability South West. For more information click here.
New pan-government framework to assist the switch-off of PCs when not in use could save up to £10.2 million per year
The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) has launched a new campaign to encourage the public sector to work smarter for the environment when using PCs.
As part of the campaign, a new pan-government deal for IT power management solutions, led by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has been awarded for a system that allows the automatic shut down of PCs during non-working hours to reduce wasted energy.
Called "Nightwatchman", the software also allows public sector organisations to monitor daily PC energy consumption and provides activity reports to show energy cost and carbon savings.
"Recycle on the Go" - bins in public places
"Recycle on the Go" is a new drive to put accessible recycling bins in public places, developed by Defra, Recycle Now and Encams (Keep Britain Tidy).
A good practice guide and a code of practice will help those responsible for public places to make recycling easy and accessible. Wherever possible bins will feature the familiar Recycle Now signage so people can easily identify where and how to recycle their cans, bottles and paper. For more information click here.
Research, Reports and Tools:
Business Adaptation Case Studies
Ten new case studies from nine businesses who took part in the Marketing and Climate Change Programme, jointly run by Horizon SW, Chartered Institute of Marketing and the South West Climate Change Impacts Partnership, are now available for download from the internet.
The Defra funded programme held four workshops to equip businesses with ideas and tools of how best to "future-proof" their organisations from the effects of climate change. For more information click here.
Sustainable Energy Planning Tool from Regen SW
This tool is specifically designed for those who advise local authority planning officers directly on low-carbon development issues in the South West and aims to highlight key opportunities for improving the sustainable energy standards of new developments in the region.
The tool can also be used directly by local authority planning, development and building control officers who have a key role in facilitating sustainable energy in new developments in the region at each stage of the planning process. For more details click here.
Launch of new SWCCIP Local Government Sector Group Tool
An overview of local authority climate change action in the South West is now available on the SWCCIP website – click here to download.
The study has been designed to provide a quick glance at what all 51 local authorities in the South West are doing to both mitigate and adapt to climate change.
The document includes references, and links where available, to climate change related reports, strategies, plans and actions. It is hoped that this will provide local authorities, and other interested bodies, with easy access to this information in one convenient place, as well as act as a source of information to generate ideas for other local authorities tackling climate change.
Be aware, be prepared, take action: how to integrate climate change adaptation strategies into local government
This step by step guide from the LGA, Environment Agency and UKCIP sets out measures that Local Authorities can take to integrate climate change adaptation strategies into their work. The guide is downloadable by clicking here.
Breaking the holding pattern: A new approach to aviation policy making in the UK, Sustainable Development Commission
The report from the Sustainable Development Commission finds that there is widespread controversy over the basic economic, environmental and technological data on air travel in the UK. The report concludes that a new evidence base establishing the true benefits and impacts of aviation must be created before any decisions on major airport expansion can take place. For more information click here.
Climate Change Knowledge for Sustainable Communities Professionals: new website from the Academy for Sustainable Communities
The Academy for Sustainable Communities website will provide you with the tools you need to integrate climate change issues into your work in designing and delivering sustainable communities. Each link contains simple introductions to a range of climate change topics, and recommends links to reliable sources of further information. Click here to view the website.
Personal carbon trading evaluation published
Findings from the Government study into personal carbon trading have been published by Defra. The study indicates that personal carbon trading has potential to engage individuals in taking action to combat climate change, but is essentially ahead of its time and expected costs for implementation are high.
The Government remains interested in the concept of personal carbon trading and, although it will not be continuing its research programme at this stage, it will monitor the wealth of research focusing on this area and may introduce personal carbon trading if the value of carbon savings and cost implications change. To download the report click here.
Cracking the code - How to achieve Code Level Three and above
This guide can help housing associations and developers to kick-start the process of attaining Code ratings, and complements the formal Code for Sustainable Homes Technical Guidance. To download the document click here.
For more information on any item in the e-bulletin please contact one of the Climate Change Team: