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Name of meeting: PVFM Name of officer: Adam Hackett Date: 4th October 2011 Location: Crompton Suite, Civic A
PURPOSE OF THE REPORT
This report presents a brief update on the progress to deliver actions identified within the current Climate Change Plan for Oldham (Appendix 1) and seeks comments from PVFM on integrating actions at a neighbourhood level. B
BACKGROUND THE CHALLENGE
The Earth’s atmosphere has changed very little of the last 10,000 years. Greenhouse gases trap light energy from the sun, and before they can escape into space, warm our atmosphere. This is a natural process that has been occurring for millions of years. It provides a suitable environment for humans, animals and plants to survive. Without it, it would be too cold for us to live. However, we are now having problems keeping the balance just right. Burning fossil fuels to heat our homes, run our cars, produce electricity and manufacture products are adding more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. The increase in these gases is having a warming effect on the planet. It is this human-induced effect that is causing a concern, not experienced before. Climate change is the greatest long-term threat to our future prosperity and security. At national level, the Climate Change Act sets ambitious targets and carbon budgets to reduce carbon emissions. At local level, plans like this, place climate change as one of our top priorities. C
SUMMARY (To include a brief background of the issue and what input O&S Members could make? No more than 3 A4 sides) MAKING OLDHAM ONE OF THE GREENEST
Climate change is a source of economic risk – there will be more extreme weather events and a greater risk of river, coastal and flash flooding. These risks can deliver a catastrophic shock to communities – as we saw in Hull, Sheffield, Gloucestershire and other parts of the country in the summer of 2007. It will also put pressure on those council services that are impacted by hotter summers and wetter winters. This was the case in Oldham last winter. The borough-wide plan (appendix 1) was approved by Cabinet on the 6th April 2011. 1 Climate change report for PVFM Sept 11
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The plan has been developed by both public and private sector organisations in Oldham, recognising their responsibility to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and impact on climate change. Delivery of the plan will create a better environment for people that live, work and study in the borough. Oldham as a borough has outlined targets in the Corporate Plan to reduce emissions by 15% by 2014, equating to approximately 180,000 tonnes of CO2. Additional targets set by Government will require us to continue to reduce emissions for the foreseeable future. Oldham Council is acting as the guardian of the plan and will be relying on the support of Oldham Partnership, residents and businesses, to ensure this plan is successful in delivery and ultimately, improving our environment.
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Many of the plans actions are now underway and are being addressed initially via an internal officer group. Once the wider external Oldham partnership governance and neighbourhood agenda becomes clearer then elected members from each district partnership and from Overview and Scrutiny will be invited to support actions within the boroughs climate change plan. KEY MESSAGES WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE?
The planet will continue to warm, but there are many variables that can affect the speed and magnitude of the changes. Keeping informed about climate change, and supporting efforts to slow its progress are actions everyone can do. Taking action on climate change can also benefit our economy, creating growth and jobs while producing less waste, pollution and greenhouse gases. The Greater Manchester’s mini-Stern review highlighted that the sub-region could also lose £21bn by 2012, if we fail to respond to the challenges and opportunities climate change presents. Adaptation involves taking action to minimise the negative impacts of climate change and taking advantage of the new opportunities that may arise. Increasing our capacity to adapt reduces our vulnerability to the effects of climate change. However, we must start planning our adaptive responses now; by doing so, we may help to lessen some of the environmental, economic and social costs of climate change. Put starkly, if action to reduce emissions is delayed by 20 years, rates of emission reductions may need to more than double to meet the same temperature target than if reductions were begun now. OLDHAMS STORY SO FAR By 2015, Oldham as a borough needs to have reduced emissions by some 180,000 tonnes of CO2, if it is to deliver at least a 15% reduction by 2014 (as set out in the Councils Corporate Plan 2010-14). The scale of this challenge is not small, and typically, to save 100,000 tonnes of 2 Climate change report for PVFM Sept 11
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CO2 we would need to: • • • • •
Install cavity wall insulation in 175,000 homes; or Install solid wall insulation in 50,000 homes; or Top up loft insulation in 385,000 homes; or Replace old gas boilers in 140,000 homes, or Install 12 million low energy light bulbs.
Oldham’s population is 219,000 and there are in the region of 89,000 (occupied); and 94,000 (includes un-occupied) homes in the borough. This demonstrates that one sector alone cannot help address the issues of climate change and that everybody and each sector has a part to play. A MORE DETAILED REPORT IS IN APPENDIX 1 The climate change plan is being delivered across all the identified headline actions. In order to provide a brief update since the plan was approved a number of projects have been instigated and a small selection of these projects are summarised below for PVFM members interest and observations. Oldham climate change plan- direct or linked projects. There are nine projects in total, the table below provides a snap shot of projects being undertaken against the current existing climate change plan. These projects provide a snapshot of activity but not an exhaustive list, Current climate change plan theme At home and in the Neighbourhood
Example Project name
Outputs
Project Funding
Toasty Campaign
Free insulation to any Oldham home owner irrespective of age or benefit status. (see appendix 2) The target for this financial year is 10,000 lofts/cavities to be filled in Oldham (there is estimated to be 30,000 empty at present)
Funding predominantly secured from British Gas under their obligations to reduce domestic energy consumption.
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Work, business and skills (including the supply chain)
Green Technology Centre
Formal launch of Oldham’s first Green technology centre (Oldham College) on the 27th September 2011 to provide a training Hub for the northern half of greater Manchester for renewable energy skills. Summit Skills research shows a requirement of between 110,000 and 206,000 accredited training courses provided by 2020. Ambitions for Greater Manchester as a designated Low Carbon Economic Area are to ‘create a body of capability and skills with low carbon built environment expertise based in Greater Manchester for the benefit of the UK’. Targets are for 34,800 workers to be employed in the sector by 2015. Oldham College projections show a projected increase in learning numbers from an existing base of 1077 to 1,801 in year 3 of the project. These forecasts are reinforced by Government estimates. For example, implementation of the Green Deal (see appendix 3) is predicted to support 100,000 supply chain jobs over 5 years
Funding from Oldham College, paying clients and the private sector
At school
Potential Solar energy scheme
Installation of solar photovoltaic panels on a number primary schools (public sector estate and commercial offer is also being developed)
Exploring a ‘rent a roof model’ where the private sector pay the capital but take government subsidies or a prudential council borrowing model 4
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Decentralised, renewable and low carbon energy
Oldham Local Development Framework energy planning policies
Enhanced low carbon building energy planning policies from winter 2011
Getting around
Electric vehicle infrastructure projects
Charging points to be installed during autumn 2011. 300 proposed across Greater Manchester over three years. Likely 7-8 to be installed initially within Oldham on street with the bulk for commercial and fleet vehicle depots. (council police etc)
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Requirements for new builds over 10 domestic units or 1000m2 non domestic to reduce carbon emissions above building regulations in line with the policies energy hierarchy Funded by EU grant (OLEV) and private sector- seen the establishment of Manchester Electric car company
ISSUES Example as outlined in full report Private housing is responsible for 27% of all carbon dioxide emissions in the UK. By reviewing and changing our day-to-day activities all residents can play an important part in helping to prevent climate change and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The low-carbon economy is a carbon constrained economy, one in which our use of fossil fuels is cut dramatically. The Climate Change Act requires an 80% cut in carbon emissions by 2050. Schools and colleges can harness the energy of their pupils to enhance knowledge and interest in the environmental agenda. Pupils can take home their learning to encourage environmental behaviour changes in their home life. In general, public transport produces less climate change gases per passenger journey than an equivalent journey by car. Oldham Partnership and GMPTE will encourage the increasing the use of public transport to reduce emissions in the borough. The public sector in the UK spends in the region of £175bn a year on goods and services. One area where the public sector can respond to climate change is ensuring that investment decisions take account of climate change. Adapting to climate change will require us all to learn to live with more extreme weather patterns and events. Oldham Council and its partners have a responsibility to implement policies, initiatives and measures to reduce the expected impact of climate change and its effects on the natural and human 5
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G
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systems. However, all of us, individuals, businesses, schools and public sector organisations must adapt our behaviour to cut carbon emissions and respond to the challenges of climate change. ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN Example as outlined in full report • Demonstrate leadership by setting best practice standards for energy efficiency and reduction measures for all regeneration schemes across Oldham • Attain significant improvement in energy efficiency and fuel poverty through a private landlord sustainable energy scheme • Support and encourage the development of the sustainable energy sector within Oldham (renewable energy, energy efficiency, carbon reduction, climate change) • Contribute proactively to the low carbon economic goals detailed within Prosperity for All, the Greater Manchester Strategy • All schools in Oldham to be registerd Eco0schools by 2015 (currently 85% 2010) • All schools to be encouraged to address the sustainable schools initiative, this means each school developing its own sustainability by 2015 • Reduce the emissions of CO2 from motor vehicles- initially be encouraging collective minimum CO2 standards for all public sector vehicle fleet. (Activity being undertaken by the Environment commission to agree minimum standards Spring 2011) • Develop, resource and implement Travel Plans across the Oldham Partnership membership including targets for carbon reduction • Oldham Council will develop and adopt a ‘no increase in carbon’ policy for significant procurement and investment decisions whereby decision will achieve a carbon impact less than the existing/replaced product or service • Oldham Council to assess the implications of significant procurement and investment decisions on resilience to climate change. This in particular will focus on new infrastructure projects (e.g. new school buildings and major infrastructure projects) • Develop a coherent and co-ordinated approach to delivering the climate change action plan across all Council and other public services, private, voluntary and community sectors • Oldham Council to provide leadership on energy and climate change within AGMA, pressing for change and supporting challenging goals RECOMMENDATIONS • A partnership based climate change group has not yet been established and PVFM member’s views are welcomed on how best to establish such a group as well as seeking any volunteers from PVFM whom would wish to be part of such process. • Note progress of the plan and the key projects CONSULTATION UNDERTAKEN Legal
Finance
Other
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IMPACT ON COMMUNITY STRATEGY & COMMUNITY COHESION The Plan will have a number of impacts which can contribute to improved community cohesion:
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Creation of job opportunities in the environmental sector; Reducing levels of fuel poverty for low income families; Inter-generational fairness - through protecting resources for future generations; and • By reducing our environmental impact, helping to mitigate the impact of climate change particularly on parts of the world which are vulnerable to climate related natural disasters. • • •
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IMPACT ON EQUALITIES
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APPENDICES Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Appendix 3
Oldham Climate Toasty briefing Green Deal UK and change Action Plan V17 FINAL note.doc approved April GM 2011 context.doc (accepted changes).doc
PART OF APPENDIX 1 IN THE FULL REPORT
Annex A Examples of potential savings from renewable energy The examples below detail the potential CO2 savings that could be made from introducing particular renewable energy measures. Action could be agreed to fit a certain number of these technologies, in which case the savings can be multiplied up. e.g. fitting 200 homes with 1.5kW PV system would save 100 tonnes CO2; installing 50 6kW wind turbines would save 375 tonnes/year. Technology 1.5kW domestic photovoltaic array 6kW wind turbine (wind speed 6m/s) Community owned wind-farm with two 2MW wind turbines Domestic solar hot water Domestic Heat pumps (ground)
Potential CO2 savings (tonnes/yr) 0.5 7.5 Approximately 4500 Up to 1 (depending on fuel displaced) 0.8-7 (depending on the fuel being displaced
Potential Feed-in-Tariff/RHI income Approximately £510 (+£93 saving on electricity cost)* Approximately £4854 (+£884 saving on electricity costs)** £795,000*** £360+ £1050++
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*1.5kW PV – generates ~1200kWh/yr, 60% used on site, 40% exported: generation tariff = 1200x£0.413 = £496; export tariff = 480x£0.03 = £14.4; money saved = 720x£0.13 = £93.6 **6kW wind turbine – generates approx.17,000kWh/yr, 40% used on site, 60% exported: generation tariff = 17000x£0.267 = £4539; export tariff = 10200x£0.03 = £306; money saved = 6800x£0.13 = £884 ***2 x 2MW wind turbines – generates approx10,600MWh/yr, all exported: generation tariff = 10600000x£0.045 = £477,000; export tariff = 10600000x£0.03 = £318,000 +
The RHI details were published by the Government on Thursday 10th March 2011. It is planned that the RHI for non-domestic biomass heating (and other renewable heat technologies) will be introduced late July 2011 and be available for new installations until at least 2020. This will drive very considerable growth of renewable heating in the commercial and public sector, with up to 25% of all commercial and public sector heating expected to come from renewable sources by 2020. This is estimated to be a total of 111,000 installations with a further 11,000 industrial installations . An RHI for domestic installations will be introduced in October 2012. In addition, interim Renewable Heat Premium Payments will be introduced in July 2011 to ensure consumers continue to install biomass boilers which will be eligible for the domestic RHI when it comes out in 2012. ++
For ground source heat pumps the proposed Renewable Heat Incentive offers payments of £0.07 for each kWh based on the heat load that the system is deemed to serve (rather than actual output). This assumes a 15000kWh output (100% of heating and hot water demand).
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