Carbon Reduction and Climate
Change Strategy
July 2008
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 1
Contents
1
2
3
Introduction
Climate change the threat and the opportunities
3
The vision for Lewisham
4
Our achievements
4
The policy context
International and national
5
Regional
6
Local
6
The role of local authorities
7
Carbon Dioxide emissions
A statistical analysis
4
5
6
7
Leadership and delivery by the Council
Buildings
9
Services
10
Sustainable procurement
13
Staff awareness and action
14
Delivering with our strategic partners
The local strategic partnership and the local area agreement
17
Working with business
17
Other partnerships
18
Reducing the carbon footprint of citizens and communities
The strategic planning and policy framework
19
Advice and financial support
22
Empowering local communities
23
Tackling fuel poverty
25
Adaptation to climate change
Climate change strategic framework
8
7
26
Delivery of the strategy
Key actions and timetable for delivery
27
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 2
1.
Introduction
1.1
Climate change: the threat and the opportunities
Climate change is accepted as an urgent and serious issue across mainstream
politics and the scientific community, and is of concern to a wide range of citizens.
There is broad agreement that climate change is already happening, that this can be
attributed to human activity and that changes in the world’s climate pose a major
threat to our long-term well-being and prosperity.
A range of international and national agreements, policy documents and scientific
studies have strengthened the call for action at all levels, from Governments across
the world to individual citizens. There is now a consensus that systematic changes
are needed to the way society works and the way we live our lives as individuals.
The Prime Minister Gordon Brown emphasised the priority attached to this issue
when he said
“Our mission is, in truth, historic and world changing – to build over the next fifty
years and beyond, a global low carbon economy. And it is not overdramatic to say
that the character and course of the coming century will be set by how we measure
up to this challenge.” November 2007
The Stern Review on the economics of climate change, published in 2006,
emphasised the scientific basis for responding to climate change, saying
“An overwhelming body of scientific evidence now clearly indicates that climate
change is a serious and urgent issue. The Earth’s climate is rapidly changing, mainly
as a result of increases in greenhouse gases caused by human activities.”
In responding to the Stern Review, David Miliband, the then Secretary of State for the
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs highlighted the dangers we face, when he said
that
“Climate change is the greatest long-term threat faced by humanity. It could cause
more human and financial suffering than the two world wars and the great depression
put together. All countries will be affected, but the poorest countries will be hit
hardest.” October 2006
In 2007 the Local Government Association established a Commission on climate
change, which described the central role local government has to play in responding
to climate change. The Commission’s final report underlined this challenge, saying
“Local government proved its mettle in the nineteenth century, leading a revolution in
public health and sanitation and in the twentieth century raising the standard of social
housing, establishing the provision of social services and promoting economic
regeneration. Local government action on climate change should be rooted in
ensuring the community’s economic, social and environmental well-being. It should
become the defining feature of community leadership.”
This document identifies the actions the Council is committed to delivering in
responding to the threat of climate change. Sections 1-3 provide the background and
context, sections 4-6 describe the actions we propose to mitigate climate change and
reduce CO2 emissions, section 7 reviews the Council’s adaptation strategy and
section 8 sets out the key targets and actions underpinning the strategy.
The Strategy is based on achieving a lasting and sustained decrease in emissions of
CO2 working with our strategic partners and with citizens to:
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 3
•
•
•
•
reduce demand for energy
increase energy efficiency
increase the use of renewable sources of energy
tackle fuel poverty
Effective action at the local level is not just about guarding against long-term
environmental dangers. Reduced energy consumption and improved energy
efficiency offers tangible benefits in the here and now, including improving the
competitiveness of local businesses and helping citizens save money on energy bills.
It is also a means to promote greater equality, targeting advice and support to the
most vulnerable citizens, tackling fuel poverty and ensuring that the effects of climate
change do not disproportionately affect the most disadvantaged.
1.2
The vision for Lewisham
Sustainability is about achieving a balance, between the needs of today and those of
the future and ensuring that all our policies contribute towards Lewisham’s objectives
for social justice, economic development and safeguarding and promoting the
environment in all its forms. In this context the Carbon Reduction and Climate
Change Strategy has been developed within the wider context of Lewisham’s
Sustainable Community Strategy, which establishes the long-term strategic vision for
the borough.
Our ambition is for Lewisham to play a leading role in responding to climate change
locally, regionally and nationally with the aim of achieving the lowest level of per
capita level CO2 emissions in London. Achieving this will mean fulfilling the
Council’s community leadership role with other public sector bodies and our partners
on the Local Strategy Partnership. It will also be dependent on our ability to enable
citizens across the borough to fully contribute to, and benefit from, a low-carbon
economy.
One of the ways we will do this is through the introduction of a new Innovations Fund.
We will seek to use this fund to lever additional external funding into the borough to
maximise the range of projects and the impact the Fund can deliver. Projects
planned for 2008/09 include:
• A green schools initiative
• Extending the reach and scope of schemes to tackle fuel-poverty and improve
energy efficiency in housing across the borough.
• A local Personal Carbon Trading scheme.
• Development of a low-carbon business centre
• Collaboration with other public sector agencies.
• Community-based projects developed with local assemblies, faith groups,
schools, community groups and others.
1.3
Our achievements
Lewisham Council was awarded Beacon Status in 2005/06 for work on sustainable
energy, and has a wide variety of programmes aimed at energy efficiency and
reducing CO2 emissions. Our achievements include:
• A reduction in energy use in the housing sector of 23% against a base year of
1996.
• Between 1995 and 2006 11,200 homes in the borough received efficient new
central heating systems and improvements to insulation.
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 4
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Buying electricity from renewable sources, saving an estimated 30,000 tonnes of
CO2 annually from 2000-2004 through the use of 100% “green electricity”.
Being one of sixteen UK authorities to have won funding in 2003 to undertake a
local authority carbon management programme with funding from the
Government's Carbon Trust.
Accreditation, since 2003, under the Energy Institute’s Energy Efficiency
Accreditation Scheme. The Institute’s assessment commended the Council’s
‘holistic approach to energy and sustainable development’ as well as its
longstanding commitment to renewable energy.
Introduction of a pioneering Green Procurement Guide, which was highly
commended at the 2007 Local Government Chronicle awards
From 1994-2007 running the South East London Energy Efficiency Advice Centre
funded by the Trust.
In 2007 coordinating a London-wide Climate Change awareness raising
programme on behalf of DEFRA.
Introduction of a new Energy Action Zone providing advice and financial support
to people vulnerable to fuel poverty
In disposing of waste the Council land fills less than 13% of its waste, significantly
less than the London and UK average. Landfill is a major contributor to climate
change through methane gas.
2.
The policy context and role of local authorities
2.1
International and national
The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has been unequivocal in
attributing the observed increased in global temperature to man-made ‘greenhouse’
gas emissions. The UK Government signed the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, agreeing to
limit the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. It made a legally binding commitment to
reduce the emissions of a basket of six greenhouse gases by 12.5% below 1990
levels over the period 2008-2012.
The European Commission's Action Plan on Energy Efficiency (2000) indicated the
need for specific measures in the building sector, and in 2003 the European
Parliament and Council agreed a Directive on The Energy Performance of Buildings,
designed to promote energy efficiency and achieve a convergence of building
standards across member states. Measures within the directive include
• a methodology for calculating the energy performance of buildings
• performance standards on new and existing buildings
• certification schemes for all buildings
• inspection and assessment
The Stern Review on the economics of climate change was commissioned by the
Treasury and chaired by Nicholas Stern, former chief economist of the World Bank.
Its findings published in 2006 provided an authoritative and technical assessment of
the issues and called for urgent action at all levels to prevent the devastating
economic consequences of climate change.
The Department of Trade and Industry, subsequently restructured as the Department
of Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform published ‘Meeting the Challenge: a
White Paper on Energy’ in May 2007. This White Paper set out the national
framework for responding to the challenges of future energy supplies as well as
climate change mitigation, energy efficiency and fuel poverty. This White Paper was
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 5
the precursor to the legally binding targets for CO2 emissions in the 2007 Climate
Change Bill.
Following the Climate Change Bill the Government has established a Committee on
Climate Change that will be the focus within Government for assessing targets as
well as looking at wider initiatives such as carbon ‘budgets’.
Planning Policy Statement: Planning and Climate Change supplement to Planning
Policy Statement 1 was published in December 2007, and describes how regional
and local planning can contribute to reducing CO2 emissions. This puts the onus on
local development documents to provide a framework that promotes and encourages
renewable and low carbon energy generation technologies at a local level.
The Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act was passed in 2000 committing the
Government to eradicating fuel poverty entirely across the UK by 2016-2018.
The Local Government Association established a Commission on Climate Change
that published it’s findings in 2007. The report evaluates the need for action and
outlines the role of local government in responding to climate change.
2.2
Regional
The Greater London Authority is statutorily required to produce a Climate Change
Mitigation and Energy Strategy. The Mayor of London published a Climate Change
Action Plan in 2007, which argued for stronger action nationally and regionally in
cutting emissions and undertook an analysis across domestic, industrial and
transport sectors to identify targets for savings in CO2 emissions for London,
including a proposed 60% reduction in emissions by 2025.
The priority attached to this issue is also reflected in other strategic GLA documents,
including The London Plan, which establishes the basis of the planning framework for
London. The London Plan includes a range of policies designed to promote
sustainable development, for example through reducing the need to travel. It also
includes a requirement for renewable energy to make up 20% of energy usage at all
new developments above a certain size.
The Mayor of London’s Transport Strategy, published in 2001, identifies proposals to
increase capacity and invest in the capital’s public transport systems, provides the
strategic framework for the congestion charge zone as well as the more recently
introduced low emission zone. Through the strategy the Mayor has established
targets for a 15% reduction in road traffic for central London and the reduction in
growth of traffic elsewhere in the capital.
Lewisham Council has worked closely with the GLA on a range of climate change
mitigation issues. This includes promoting renewable and low carbon technologies,
such as new Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants. Lewisham was one of five
boroughs funding a London-wide CHP survey in 2005 which examined the potential
for CHP across the capital.
2.3
Local
Lewisham published a Climate Change Strategic Framework in 2006, which set out
the Council’s proposals for adaptive solutions to climate change. These proposals
are included as part of the Council’s overarching climate change strategy. The key
elements of this adaptation strategy are set out in section 7 below.
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 6
Other relevant local strategic documents include:
• ‘Shaping Our Future’ Lewisham’s Sustainable Community Strategy: outlines the
commitment of the Lewisham Strategic Partnership to develop sustainable
communities where people take responsibility for their impact on the environment
and use resources responsibly.
• The Local Development Framework: establishes the planning framework
promoting and encouraging energy efficient development.
• The Local Implementation Plan (2006): includes measures to reduce the
environmental impact of transport and promote alternatives to the car
• The Lewisham Air Quality Action Plan (Feb 2008): describes the key actions
needed by the Council and other agencies to deliver improved air quality and
identifies how this will be achieved.
• Environmentally responsible procurement strategy (2001) / Guide to Green
Procurement (2006): sets out the principles that should be taken into account in
purchasing goods and services to achieve best value for money and deliver on
environmental policies and commitments
• The Affordable Warmth Strategy (2004): includes measures to ensure that the
most vulnerable people in Lewisham have access to affordable heating
This Climate Change Strategy draws together the main strands of action across the
borough within an overarching strategic framework to set out the Council’s ambitions
and plans. The Strategy is underpinned by specific actions within a range of existing
strategic documents as well as the detailed service actions plans and work
programmes of teams within the Council.
2.4
The role of local government
Local government is uniquely placed to tackle climate change having a democratic
mandate for action, a direct connection to citizens and a strategic role leading other
public, private and voluntary sector partners. This was recognised in 2000 through
the Nottingham Declaration, which enabled councils to publicly signal their
commitment to tackling climate change. Lewisham Council signed was an early
signatory to the Declaration.
The importance of the role councils have in responding to climate change and on
sustainable energy is reflected in the Government’s national performance framework
for local government, which includes the following measures:
• ‘CO2 reduction from local authority operations’ (NI 185)
• ‘Per Capita emissions in the local authority area’ (NI 186)
• ‘Tackling fuel poverty: people receiving income based benefits living in homes
with a low energy efficiency rating’ (NI 187)
• ‘Adapting to climate change’ (NI 188)
3.
Carbon dioxide emissions: a statistical analysis
CO2 emissions for the UK
•
•
•
UK total CO2 emissions in 2005 were 545 million tonnes a year; this represents
an estimated 2% of global emissions
CO2 accounted for 85% of the UK’s man-made greenhouse gas emissions in
2006
London’s total CO2 emissions in 2005 were 50 million tonnes a year, or 9% of the
total UK figure
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 7
Sources: DTI White Paper 2007; DTI White Paper 2007; Mayor of London’s Climate Change Action Plan 2007
CO2 emissions by London borough
Lewisham is the second lowest London borough for per capita CO2 emissions and
12th out of 33 in terms of total emissions.
London Borough
London average
Barking and Dagenham
Barnet
Bexley
Brent
Bromley
Camden
City of London
Croydon
Ealing
Enfield
Greenwich
Hackney
Hammersmith and Fulham
Haringey
Harrow
Havering
Hillingdon
Hounslow
Islington
Kensington and Chelsea
Kingston upon Thames
Lambeth
Lewisham
Merton
Newham
Redbridge
Richmond upon Thames
Southwark
Sutton
Tower Hamlets
Waltham Forest
Wandsworth
Westminster
Per capita
6.9
5.7
6.2
6.4
5.6
5.9
9.1
222.7
5.7
5.8
6.2
6.2
4.7
6.8
5.2
5.4
6.3
10.1
8.1
7.0
9.2
6.1
5.5
5.0
5.2
6.4
5.3
6.5
7.5
5.3
10.3
5.0
6.1
19.0
Total
1503
928
1937
1402
1474
1746
1793
1600
1893
1740
1695
1340
958
1130
1119
1115
1413
2445
1714
1228
1457
899
1477
1249
974
1567
1275
1121
1842
947
2016
1089
1582
3449
Figures given are for CO2 emissions tonnes per head of population, and total emissions expressed as thousand
tonnes of CO2 .Source: AEA Energy and Environment/DEFRA 2005
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 8
CO2 emissions by sector
Lewisham has a distinctively different profile for emissions by sector in comparison to
the national and London average.
Lewisham
London
UK
Industry and
commercial
Domestic
Road
transport
26%
42%
45%
44%
33%
27%
30%
24%
27%
Figures given are % CO2 emissions by sector. Source: AEA Energy and Environment/DEFRA 2005
4.
Leadership and delivery by the Council
Lewisham Council’s services use energy in a variety of forms, from heating and
lighting schools, fuel for vehicles collecting rubbish and lighting the borough’s streets.
These all contribute to the Council’s carbon footprint, which in 2005 was calculated
as being 44,200 tonnes of CO2 per annum. The Council is aiming to achieve a 10%
reduction in CO2 emissions by 2010 as measured by national indicator 185: ‘CO2
reduction from local authority operations’.
This section identifies the main strands of activity that will achieve this reduction, and
covers:
• Council buildings; heating and lighting, maintenance refurbishment and new
buildings
• Council services; vehicles, street-lighting, housing, leisure services, waste and
recycling, biodiversity
• Procurement
• Staff awareness and action
We will be working through the Carbon Trust’s Local Authority Carbon Management
Programme to benchmark our capacity to deliver CO2 savings and develop a detailed
Carbon Management Plan across Council operations.
4.1
Buildings
The Council owns and manages a large number of buildings used for a variety of
purposes including offices, libraries, leisure centres, community centres and depots.
These vary considerably in size, age, condition and location across the borough.
Maintenance has an important part to play in reducing CO2 emissions, and the
Council cyclical maintenance of heating and air conditioning will be used to maximise
energy efficiency. This will include prioritising repairs to faults that cause energy to be
wasted.
The Council has established a systematic approach to energy monitoring, based on
electronic data retrieval systems. This monitoring system analyses energy use to
identify the worst performing buildings, enabling energy saving improvement works to
be targeted where they are needed most and where they will deliver the greatest cost
savings.
All major refurbishment works on Council buildings and all new Council buildings will
have sustainable development principles included the design and delivery.
Examples of this include
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 9
•
•
The refurbishment and rewiring of the town hall which includes energy efficient
lighting using sensors to switch off lighting when a work area is not in use, saving
an estimated £3,000 a year from the electricity bill
The Building Schools for the Future programme, which is creating new school
buildings across the borough and will include renewable energy technologies.
Each has a target of generated 20% of its energy use from renewable features.
Lewisham has a policy of buying electricity from renewable sources when it is
practically possible. From 2000-2004 the Council purchased 100% green electricity.
Due to the lack of availability the Council currently uses 80% green electricity, but our
intention is to raise this back to 100%.
Council buildings: Actions and Targets
•
Contribute to the delivery of an overall 10% reduction in CO2 emissions from
Council operations from 2008-2010
•
Extend the good practice established through Lewisham’s Building Schools for
the Future programme in ensuring that sustainable development principles are
involved in all Council-led major refurbishment and new-build projects from
design to implementation.
•
Expand electronic monitoring of Council buildings energy consumption to target
remedial works for the poorest performing. This will include a report to the
Corporate Sustainability Board on potential energy-saving works.
•
The Council will continue to maximise the purchase of renewal electricity and
seek to return to 100% use.
•
Introduce Display Energy Certificates in each of the Council buildings with a floor
area of 1,000m2 and above, providing a visible and publicly available energy
rating of these buildings.
•
Undertake an independent diagnostic of further carbon and energy savings. The
results of this will inform a Carbon Management Plan identifying the detailed
actions needed to meet our targets for CO2 emissions and the estimated
contribution from different council services.
4.2
Services
Vehicles
The Council owns and operates a fleet of 300 vehicles, including 38 refuse vehicles,
71 minibuses, a range of vans and other light vehicles. The fleet includes electric and
LPG fuelled vehicles as well as 6 Prius Hybrid cars.
The Council’s fleet exceeds the standards for the London Low Emissions Zone, and
an ‘Environmentally Friendly Vehicle and Fuel Plan’ has established a purchasing
hierarchy that has been used to establish environmentally friendly vehicles as the
fleet standard.
The Council seeks to minimise annual mileage of the Council’s vehicle fleet through
eliminating unnecessary journeys, reducing the need to travel where possible and
providing drivers with training in economical driving techniques and journey planning.
Despite an increasing workload for example in relation to household refuse
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 10
collections since 2002 the total amount of fuel consumed annually by the Council’s
vehicle fleet has fallen by 8%.
Street lighting
The borough’s street lighting, which includes column lamps, traffic islands and traffic
signs, is the responsibility of the Council for all streets except trunk roads.
The Council is currently undertaking a Comprehensive Lighting Review intended to
establish the strategic basis for future investment in street lighting provision. This
Review will in particular inform the agreement of a new Private Finance Initiative
(PFI) to review and replace street lighting across the borough.
This PFI project is expected to improve the energy efficiency of the borough’s street
lighting, reducing energy consumption and costs. This will include the use of variable
lighting levels based on an assessment of lighting needs in each area responding to
crime and public safety, transport requirements, the location of schools and other
relevant factors. This ability to set the level of lighting according to local need will
enable energy consumption to be tailored to particular circumstances.
Additionally improvements in energy efficiency will be achieved through the
investment in new equipment delivering energy savings for equivalent lighting
standards, reduced light pollution and the use of new technologies like LED street
lighting where they represent a viable alternative.
The Council is also replacing the borough’s traffic islands with units that either reflect
headlights, or where additional lighting is required use renewable solar power.
These new units reduce CO2 emissions as well as the energy requirements of
installing and maintaining fixtures linked to an underground power source.
Housing
In 2007 housing management transferred to a range of new providers including
Lewisham Homes, an arms length management organisation (ALMO), housing
associations and Private Finance Initiative (PFI) companies. Further details of how
the Council plans to work with these bodies in achieving improved energy efficiency
and reductions in CO2 emissions is set out below in section 5.1
Leisure services
The Council has a number of leisure centres operated by a diverse range of leisure
contractors. These centres, particularly swimming pools, can make a significant
contribution to the Council’s overall carbon footprint and the contracts that are in
place create incentives for contractors to reduce their costs by saving energy.
Contractors are in particular encouraged to achieve ISO 14001 accreditation, which
provides evidence of management of environmental risks, legal and regulatory
compliance, reduced public liability costs and overall cost savings.
A number of the centres have been working with the Carbon Trust to identify and
implement energy saving programmes. These have included optimising
environmental controls, improvements to heating systems, staff awareness
programmes, introduction of efficient lighting, water saving shower systems, and
improvements to the ability to accurately measure and target energy use.
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 11
Each centre is also expected to implement a green travel plan encouraging staff and
local residents to use alternatives to the car and promoting cycling and walking.
Waste and recycling
The London Borough of Lewisham has a clear vision for the sustainable
management of its waste and is committed to providing an efficient, high quality, cost
effective and sustainable approach to the collection and management of waste,
following the principles of the waste hierarchy, sustainable development and best
value.
The Council’s Waste Strategy is based on the waste hierarchy of reduce, reuse
recycle and compost, energy recovery and disposal. Energy saving, and hence a
reduction in CO2 emissions through recycling materials can be significant for
household goods: aluminium takes up 95% less energy when recycled; steel cans
75%; paper and cardboard 70%; glass 30%.
Generating and disposing of waste results in loss of valuable natural resources as
well as the additional impacts associated with the extraction and processing of new
material and the manufacture and distribution of new goods. Recycling and
recovering energy from waste offers opportunities to conserve the use of new
materials and reduce the use of fossil fuels.
Waste that decomposes under anaerobic conditions found in landfill sites gives off
greenhouse gases in the form of methane. Lewisham land fills less than 13% of
waste products it collects, one of the lowest rates in the country.
Proposed policies that work towards mitigation of climate change include:
• minimisation of growth in waste
• maximise opportunities for diversion of waste
• keep landfill of waste to a minimum
• treat waste at the highest level of the waste hierarchy as is economically
practicable: reducing the use of; reusing; and recycling resources
Biodiversity
Examples of actions promoting biodiversity that also have a positive effect in
responding to climate change include:
• the use of ‘living’ roofs increasing insulation and reducing energy consumption;
helping to reduce the local air temperature; reducing the threat of flooding by
providing a sustainable urban drainage solution and creating new links in
intermittent network of habitats thereby facilitating the movement and dispersal of
species.
• improvements to open space management to support wildlife; increase in local
nature reserves and the reduction of areas deficient in publicly accessible wildlife
sites will encourage the development of a green infrastructure that is essential for
the movement and adaptation of species.
• encouragement of green-spaces as pedestrian corridors and cycleways provides
attractive alternatives to car-use therefore reducing CO2 emissions.
Council services: Actions and Targets
•
Contribute to the delivery of an overall 10% reduction in CO2 emissions from
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 12
Council operations from 2008-2010
•
Continue to increase environmental performance across the Council’s vehicle
fleet, establishing low emission vehicles as the fleet standard.
•
Minimise the Council’s fuel consumption through improvements to vehicle
standards, minimising annual mileage and training for drivers, achieving an
ongoing annual decrease in fuel consumption.
•
Improve the energy efficiency of the borough’s street-lighting, achieving
improvements in lighting with a decrease in energy consumption following
delivery of the PFI contract.
•
Work towards compliance across all leisure contractors to ISO 14001 providing
evidence of environmental standards including measures to reduce CO2
emissions.
•
Minimise the contribution of waste production and management to emissions of
greenhouse gases through reducing the growth of waste and minimising landfill.
4.3
Procurement
Procurement is the process of acquiring goods, works and services, covering both
acquisition from third parties and from in-house providers. The process spans the
whole cycle, from identification of needs through to the end of a services contract or
the end of the useful life of an asset. It involves options appraisal which may result in
the provision of services external to the Council, in appropriate circumstances.
Achieving “best value for money” through procurement means choosing the bid that
offers “the optimum combination of whole life costs and benefits to meet the
customer’s requirement”. The council’s requirement can include social,
environmental and other strategic objectives and is defined at the earliest stages of
the procurement cycle. Our aim is to ensure that specifications for contracts will
include high standards for energy performance and reductions in CO2 emissions in
line with best practice.
In 2006 Lewisham published its Green Procurement Guide for Council staff,
contractors and suppliers. This advises them on good practice in purchasing the
most environmentally sound products, and establishes the expectation that the
Council will specify energy efficient products when purchasing goods and services.
The Procurement team are actively encouraging Lewisham staff to specify their
requirements in line with the guide or other sustainable policies; and where
technological advances are made to exceed the stated requirements.
Council procurement: Actions and Targets
•
Contribute to the delivery of an overall 10% reduction in CO2 emissions from
Council operations from 2008-2010
•
Extend the roll out of the Green Procurement Guide through promotion and the
provision of additional training
•
The Council e-procurement system will guide purchasing offices towards the
more energy efficient and environmentally friendly products
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 13
4.4
Staff awareness and action
Lewisham Council is the Borough’s largest employer, and our staff have the potential
to have a considerable impact in reducing CO2 emissions. This may be directly
through their work, but can also extend to life outside the office. Those who are
encouraged to make a difference to reducing energy consumption more widely can
also inspire others encouraging family, friends and neighbours to take positive steps
towards sustainable energy use.
There are three main ways in which we will help this to happen:
• ensuring a high-level commitment to tackling climate change within the Council
and ensuring compliance across Council services
• providing information and encouragement for staff to take actions to reduce
energy use and CO2 emissions
• providing support and funding for initiatives that will make a difference and would
otherwise not happen
The Council’s Corporate Sustainability Board is the focal point at officer level in the
Council for environmental issues, chaired by the Executive Director for Regeneration
and attended by senior managers. This Board will have responsibility for delivering
this Climate Change Strategy, and will monitor and review progress against targets,
and undertake a compliance check of services in delivering the actions identified in
the strategy.
There are in addition a range of other groups within the Council that will work towards
supporting the delivery of the Climate Change Strategy and engaging staff in
supporting and building on policies and programmes to reduce energy consumption
and CO2 emissions. These include:
• The Sustainable Construction Forum which covers the greening of design,
construction and maintenance work carried out in Lewisham.
• The Energy Forum which covers all energy efficiency and CO2 reduction issues.
• The ‘Environment Champions’, staff who have volunteered to take an active role
in promoting environmentally sustainable initiatives in the Council including
encouraging people to switch off computers and to recycle more paper.
• The Staff Travel Group, which works to promote sustainable transport within the
Council
Employee commuting is an important part of the Council’s carbon footprint. The
Council’s has a Staff Travel Strategy that promotes sustainable alternatives to caruse through a range of initiatives including interest free loans for season tickets and
bicycles as well as car sharing and car pools. At the London Sustainable Transport
Awards 2007 Lewisham’s Staff Travel Strategy won the award for Best Council
Travel Plan. The Council also supports flexible working arrangements such as
working from home and the use of technology like video-conference facilities to
reduce the need to travel.
The Lewisham Energy Loans Scheme provides interest free loans and advice for the
installation of energy efficiency measures and renewable technologies installations in
homes and for alternative fuel vehicles if they are privately used. This is available to
Council, Primary Care Trust, and Lewisham College personnel. It uses a revolving
loan fund, initially provided by the Energy Saving Trust and administered by
Crownsavers, the Lewisham employees’ credit union.
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 14
We will use a range of ways to raise awareness of climate change as an issue and
enable staff to get involved. This will include
• The inclusion of presentations and information to all new members of staff as part
of the Council’s induction process
• The addition of sustainability issues and information about the Green
Procurement Guide as part of the Council’s project management training
• A new personal carbon trading scheme open to staff to raise awareness of the
issues and provide practical steps people can take to reduce their CO2 emissions
• The creation of a new environmental award as part of the annual staff Pride
Awards
• Staff briefings and involvement at team meetings. In 2007 the Council held a
Sustainability Fair, which was well attended by staff and included the involvement
of a wide range of activity across the Council relating to sustainable development.
Staff awareness and action: Actions and Targets
•
Contribute to the delivery of an overall 10% reduction in CO2 emissions from
Council operations from 2008-2010
•
A new specific and enhanced role for the Corporate Sustainability Board in
relation to delivery of the Climate Change Strategy.
•
Introduce a new personal carbon trading scheme involving Council officers
designed to raised awareness of the issue and as a means of promoting specific
CO2 reduction initiatives.
•
Extend the support and advice provided through the staff travel strategy in
promoting alternatives to the car.
•
Include specific advice to all new members of staff during their induction on the
Council’s approach to climate change. Add coverage of sustainability within the
staff Project Management training.
•
Introduce a new environmental award for staff as part of the Council’s Pride
Awards.
•
Reduce energy consumption through computers and other IT through the use of
awareness campaigns encouraging staff to turn off rather than leave equipment
on standby, and through the use of software designed to switch of unused
equipment,
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 15
CASE STUDY: LEWISHAM SCHOOLS
Lewisham’s Schools have the potential to bring together a range of different strands
of activity on climate change influencing energy consumption through school
buildings as well as pupils, their families and the local community.
All school buildings are part of the Council’s energy monitoring used to target
maintenance and remedial action, and each schools is encouraged to have an action
plan focussed on building maintenance and improvements, good maintenance and
changes in behaviour. From October 2008 81 of Lewisham’s schools will produce a
Display Energy Certificate enabling parents, children and staff to see how well the
building performs.
Lewisham currently has a large school rebuilding programme funded by the Building
Schools for the Future (BSF) programme and through Private Finance Initiative (PFI)
schemes. The new schools are built to significantly higher environmental standards
to ones they replace. Each school will have high levels of insulation and will be
designed to generate 20% of its energy needs on site using renewable technologies.
The School Travel Plan programme requires all schools in London to produce a
travel plan by 2009 and Lewisham schools are on course to meet this target. These
plans help reduce congestion around schools, contribute to sustainable modes of
travel, reduce pollution levels and improve the health of children and their families.
The Council has been working closely with a number of schools on renewable energy
projects, with schools among the first buildings in the borough to install solar panels.
We plan to expand on this activity looking to develop school-wide approaches to
sustainability and energy efficiency that could span renewable technology,
improvements to insulation and heating systems, project-based initiatives on climate
change and energy that could be incorporated in lessons, promoting alternatives to
the car and waste and recycling measures. Together these measures will
complement each other and potentially inspire pupils to encourage their friends and
families to save energy.
5
Delivering with our strategic partners and across the borough
The measures described in the preceding section will have a significant impact on
the level of CO2 emissions directly attributable to Council operations, but will only
have a limited bearing on the borough-wide CO2 emissions. In order to bring about
the fundamental change across the borough in energy use and CO2 emissions we
will need to work our strategic partners and with citizens.
Our intention is to secure a high-level commitment to delivering the borough-wide
targets described in this strategy and the development of the detailed actions by
partners individually and collectively that will underpin this commitment. We will seek
to maximise the benefits of partnership working by securing economies of scale
through pooled resources and through encouraging innovation and the exchange of
good practice.
The strategic partnerships already exist within Lewisham to make these aspirations a
reality. This section sets out the main strands of work that will take this forward.
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 16
5.1
The Local Strategic Partnership and the Local Area Agreement
The Lewisham Strategic Partnership (LSP) brings together the key public, private
and voluntary sector organisations working in the borough and includes members
representing the health service, housing associations, educational institutions, job
centres, the chamber of commerce, the police, the community and voluntary sector
as well as the Council.
Together the organisations within the LSP are the key decision-making bodies that
affect the way the public, private and third sector function across the borough, and
are in a position to influence a large part of the borough’s CO2 emissions.
Shaping our future is Lewisham’s Sustainable Community Strategy. Running from
2008-2020, it outlines an ambitious vision for the borough and six priorities which
describe sustainable communities in Lewisham.
• Ambitious and achieving
• Safer
• Empowered and responsible
• Clean, green and liveable
• Healthy, active and enjoyable
• Dynamic and prosperous
Within these priorities are specific objectives that contribute to tackling climate
change and reducing carbon emissions, including a commitment to promote the use
of sustainable modes of transport, to minimise waste and to manage local resources
prudently. The strategy also details how local communities can contribute to
achieving these objectives by considering energy-saving adaptations to their homes,
recycling more and taking an active interest in the sustainability and well-being of
their local area.
Lewisham’s Local Area Agreement (LAA) establishes the strategic priorities for the
borough and sets targets agreed with central government in relation to a core set of
improvement priorities. Lewisham’s LAA 2008-10 includes a target to reduce CO2
emissions (National Indicator 186 ‘Per capita CO2 emissions in the local authority
area). We will seek to strengthen the connection between this borough-wide target
and the strategic and operational policies of each of the partners on the LSP by
establishing a wider commitment to mitigating climate change and a joint action plan
on reducing CO2 emissions.
The LSP and the LAA: Actions and Targets
•
•
•
5.2
Inclusion of National Indicator 186 ‘Per capita reduction in CO2 emissions’ in the
local area agreement and a commitment to deliver an 8.5% reduction against
NI186 by 2010.
Secure confirmation of the commitment of all LSP partners to delivering boroughwide targets on climate change.
Agreement with the LSP on an additional review of potential energy savings that
each partner will contribute to the borough’s overarching target.
Working with business
Using less energy creates a direct competitive advantage by reducing costs. It can
also enable businesses to tap into consumer demand for environmentally friendly
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 17
products and services. As international and national markets move increasingly
towards a low-carbon economy those that adapt quickest will be best placed to
respond to new incentives and regulation.
The Council’s Economic Development Plan sets out the overarching strategy for
working with and supporting business within the borough. This includes working in
partnership through the Lewisham Economic Development and Enterprise Board to
promote the development of local businesses. The Council also has a Business
Advisory Service and Town Centre Management Team both of which work with local
companies, help new businesses, and support them in improving their energy
efficiency. The Council has established an Environmental Award as a regular feature
in the Lewisham Business Awards. This award recognises and celebrates
businesses that have developed sustainable business practices.
The Council’s Sustainable Transport Team work with local businesses to implement
voluntary workplace travel plans to ease parking and congestion in commercial areas
and promoting walking and cycling. Workplace travel plan networks will be
developed in areas where clusters of organisations are geographically identified in
the borough.
The Council runs a Business Environmental Excellence Scheme, which offers free
advice and support on waste and environmental issues and recognises good practice
through bronze, silver and gold awards. The 2008 winner of the Lewisham Business
Awards, the Colourhouse, achieved carbon neutral status in 2007. The Business
Environmental Excellence Awards will now include specific criteria relating to carbon
reduction.
Our vision for Lewisham is to establish the conditions where businesses that
successfully lead in their sector on energy efficiency and CO2 emissions can thrive.
In particular we will want to create new opportunities for low-carbon enterprises
through accommodation that uses new technology to minimise the carbon-footprint
and working with businesses that will support new initiatives for delivering energy
savings across the borough.
Working with business: Actions and Targets
•
•
•
•
5.3
Work in partnership with the Lewisham Economic Development and Enterprise
Board to support local businesses to improve energy efficiency in local
businesses
Deliver an increase in workplace travel plans
Inclusion of new criteria on carbon reduction in the Council’s Business
Environmental Excellence scheme
Develop proposals for new low-carbon business hubs
Other partnerships
While the London Borough of Lewisham does not provide public transport services,
the Council with its partners in the South East London Transport Strategy presses for
improvements to existing services within the Borough. This includes planning new
retail, business and leisure developments near good transport links. Lewisham is
also a partner with the London Bus Priority Network that aims to create bus priority
lanes.
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 18
The Affordable Warmth Partnership exists to promote joint working on fuel poverty
issues. It includes the Primary Care Trust, voluntary organisations, tenant
associations and the Council’s social care, housing and energy efficiency staff.
6
Reducing the carbon footprint of Lewisham’s citizens and communities
The key factor in delivering a systematic reduction in CO2 emissions across the
borough, will be the extent to which local citizens and communities are able to fully
contribute to CO2 reduction and to benefit from a low-carbon economy.
Our approach to working with citizens and Lewisham’s communities includes:
• The strategic planning and policy framework, establishing the conditions that will
shape energy consumption now and in future years through planning, transport
and housing policies
• Providing local people with support, including information and financial
assistance, to enable them to take decisions that will reduce their energy
consumption
• Empowering local people and communities to come together to create their own
local proposals for reducing energy use and consumption
6.1
Strategic planning and policy framework
Planning
Under the new planning system, local government has to produce a Local
Development Framework (LDF) setting out the Council’s planning policies and
strategies. The suite of documents within the LDF include the Spatial Core Strategy,
Development Policies and Site Allocations, the Local Development Scheme and a
Statement of Community Involvement. The LDF establishes a framework that
promotes and encourages renewable and low carbon energy generation
technologies at a local level.
Lewisham’s LDF promotes a target of at least 20% onsite renewable energy for all
developments with over 1000m2 floor space or containing ten or more residential
units. It also includes a minimum requirements in relation to BREEAM, the
internationally recognised environmental assessment methodology for buildings, and
the Code of Sustainable Homes, a similar environmental assessment specifically
focussed on new homes. These requirements are based on achieving a step-by-step
increase in energy efficiency to meet the national target for all new homes to be
carbon neutral by 2016.
Transport
Road transport is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK and the
main source of local air and noise pollution. A reduction in car journeys not only
delivers environmental benefits but also health and community benefits. Positive
planning enables residents to walk and cycle more and encourages greater use of
public transport.
The Council supports the Mayor of London’s Transport Strategy and will introduce
measures aimed at reducing growth in road traffic through its Local Transport
Implementation Plan. Using its planning powers, Lewisham will aim to encourage
new developments to restrict car parking spaces, discourage car usage and promote
facilities for cyclists and pedestrians. Developers will also be encouraged to
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 19
consider whether there are adequate public transport links to their new
developments.
The Council is working to promote car clubs across the borough. These enable
members to rent a vehicle on an hourly basis as and when they need a car.
Lewisham Council introduced a car club within the borough in 2006, with designated
spaces allocated in Council car parks. This operation has extended to on-street bays
in controlled parking zones. Members can be individuals, who use the vehicles for
personal use as well as organisations or businesses. The car club reduces the
numbers of vehicles on the road as it provides an alternative to purchasing a vehicle.
Transport for London research reveals that each car club vehicle replaces an
average of 20 privately owned cars.
Lewisham has a range of strategies and policies promoting alternatives to the car
and to integrate these more effectively into land use and transport programmes, and
we will continue to develop proposals that will increase the potential the transport
sector has for achieving reductions in CO2 emissions.
The Council aims to reduce the “food miles” of food consumed in the Borough by
promoting locally or at least nationally, produced food. Lewisham has in place a
food strategy which includes this issue. It also has Food Sustainability Forum which
meets regularly to progress work in this area.
Housing
Energy consumption within the borough’s homes is the single largest source of CO2
emissions, and we intend to focus on achieving reductions across the sector through
improving insulation, giving people energy efficiency advice and targeted work on
fuel poverty.
Lewisham carried out a Housing Needs Survey in 2007 and the mix of property type
in the borough is indicated in the chart below. Over a quarter of all dwellings have only one bedroom, a third are two-bed units and
almost a further third have three bedrooms. Less than 10% of the stock has 4
bedrooms or more.
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 20
Over two-thirds of Lewisham’s housing stock was built before 1945. These
properties are more likely to be larger than their more modern equivalents, but older
dwellings are more prone to contain physical defects and are often the least energy
efficient buildings. Over 70% of the stock of detached, semi-detached and terraced
housing was built before 1919. However, nearly 80% of the purpose built flats were
built after 1945 and over 25% were built after 1980. The converted properties are
dominated by properties built before 1919. Therefore, many older properties in
Lewisham have been sub-divided to form smaller units, with a total of 21,200
converted dwellings being contained within pre-1919 buildings
Owner occupation forms only a minority of the housing stock in the borough. 40% of
all properties across the area are owned outright or owned with a mortgage. Around
30% of the stock is rented from social landlords with the remaining 30% in the private
rented-sector.
All social landlords and private landlords are obliged to bring all their stock up to at
least the Decent Homes standard by 2010, which means it should be warm,
weatherproof and have reasonably modern facilities. The standard includes basic
insulation measures and an efficient heating system and has been one of the main
drivers for improving energy efficiency in this sector in recent years. The Council will
continue to work with the ALMO and all providers of social housing across the
borough to improve the energy performance of their properties working towards and
beyond the Decent Homes standard.
Local authorities are required to report the energy efficiency of their stock through a
SAP rating – the Government’s Standard Assessment Procedure for energy rating of
dwellings every year. Houses are rated from 0-100, 0 being very inefficient and 100
being highly efficient. In 2006/07, Lewisham achieved a SAP rating of 69 and with
the progress of decent homes, this will have increased further for 2007/08.
From 1st October 2008 all social housing providers will be required to produce an
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) prior to the renting out of each property,
enabling tenants to choose between properties on grounds of energy costs or CO2
emissions.
Housing Corporation (HC) funded affordable housing schemes built by Registered
Social Landlords (RSLs) or developers should all be built to the HC's standards,
which is outlined in its ‘Design and Quality Standards’ document. The core
performance standard is that new homes should be designed and constructed in a
sustainable manner using products and processes that reduce environmental impact,
better adapt to climate change, with lower running costs and incorporating features
that enhance the health and well-being of constructors, occupiers and the wider
community.
All new housing developments are expected to meet the Code for Sustainable
Homes level 3 (see section on planning above). RSLs will be encouraged to aim for
a rating of 4 or higher on new developments that they lead on in Lewisham. With our
partners in the South East London sub region – Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich and
Southwark, higher standards are also encouraged.
With privately owned housing the Council enforces housing and health and safety
legislation and promotes energy efficiency. Further details of the advice and support
provided to owner-occupiers and tenants is set out below. The Council’s work with
landlords includes:
• Workshops at housing conferences
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 21
•
•
Talks to private landlords’ associations
Advice through the telephone helpline
Building regulations
Building regulations have been made more stringent with respect to energy efficiency
over the last few years covering heating systems and energy efficient fitting,
insulation and lighting, with the Government’s target that all new homes will be zero
carbon by 2016. The Council will ensure that these are fully enforced, in both
housing and commercial buildings. All new buildings must meet the required
standard with respect to insulation and efficient heating and lighting systems.
Strategic planning and policy framework: Actions and Targets
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ensure that all new developments over 1000m2 floor-space, or comprising 10 or
more dwellings, meet the Council’s target of 20% on-site renewable energy
generation.
Delivery of a step-by-step approach to ensuring all new homes are carbon neutral
by 2016
Ensure new developments are appropriately located in relation to transport
facilities and that provision of cycle parking and pedestrian facilities and car
parking arrangements help promote sustainable transport choices.
Develop proposals to extend the range of policies and programme that maximise
the potential the transport sector has for achieving reductions in CO2 emissions.
Work with housing management organisations to deliver energy performance that
meet and extend beyond the Decent Homes minimum standard.
Work with our RSL partners to encourage attainment of CSH Standard 4 and
above
Enforce stricter building regulations for housing and commercial properties.
6.2 Advice and financial support
A lack of information and independent advice is often the biggest barrier to people
improving the energy efficiency of their property. The Council publicises energy
efficiency to local residents through a range of different communication channels
including campaigns, events, work with schools and the press. It provides practical
help and impartial advice to all residents through a telephone helpline and face-toface contact at events. The service includes:
• Saving energy by behavioural change
• The cost of improvements and the likely savings on energy bills
• Eligibility for grants or discounts
• Changing to cheaper energy suppliers
• The practicality of new technologies
In 2007 the Council introduced Energy Action Zones covering three wards in the
borough (Downham, Brockley and Evelyn) providing face-to-face opportunities for
advice and guidance in accessing financial support (see case study). These Energy
Action Zones have provided a highly effective means of engaging with people that
otherwise may not benefit from the services offered by the Council or other regional
and national agencies. We are extending the Energy Action Zones to three new
wards in the borough.
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 22
There are several types of grant scheme currently available to Lewisham residents,
but eligibility normally depends on type of tenure and the personal circumstances of
the householder. The Council’s advice service keeps a database of the schemes,
discounts and offers currently available and is able to advise householders of their
best scheme. Examples of these schemes include Warmfront, Warm Zone, the
Mayor of London grant scheme and the Low Carbon Building Programme.
Energy efficiency measures are funded by the Council through Warmer Homes
Grants, Warmfront Top-Up Grants, Home Repair Grants, Emergency Home Repair
grants, Empty Homes Grants and Disabled Facilities Grants. Energy efficiency jobs
carried also out by the Coldbusters scheme funded through the South-East London
Housing Partnership. The Council offers a grant for renewable energy technologies,
such as solar panels, of £500 towards the cost.
The Council has produced a “Greening the Home Guide” for householders in 2008.
This contains a wide variety of useful information that citizens can use in reducing
their energy consumption and being environmentally friendly.
The Council’s new ‘Innovations Fund’ will augment these existing schemes and will
initiate new projects designed to extend participation and provide additional
opportunities to mitigate climate change.
Advice and financial support: Actions and Targets
•
•
•
•
6.3
Provide residents with advice and support enabling citizens to get access to
information and grants to improve the energy efficiency of their home.
Extend the Energy Action Zones to three new wards.
Provide borough-wide advice and information through participation in events and
publicity
Publish a new ‘Greening the Home’ guide for householders
Empowering local communities
Lewisham Council is changing the way it involves citizens in decision-making,
introducing new local assemblies in 2008 as a means for local people to influence
what happens in their area. Each assembly will provide an open environment,
supported by Councillors and a dedicated team of officers to enable local citizens
and groups to come together to identify and respond to the priorities in their area.
Each assembly will be expected to determine spend on a £10,000 localities fund,
which in the past has included sustainable energy projects like solar panels.
Given the wide interest in climate change issues the local assemblies will be a
additional way of enabling people to access advice and information on energy
efficiency measures, and will also be expected to generate new ideas and proposals
for measures to reduce energy consumption and promote renewable energy. The
Council will build links between the Sustainable Resources team and the Local
Assemblies team to ensure a joined-up approach across the borough.
The extension of the Energy Action Zones to three further wards offers opportunities
to establish links to the local assemblies in these areas. Where there is interest from
the assembly this could provide a means of bringing together a range of energy
efficiency resources including advice, support for additional energy efficiency
measures to promote neighbourhood-wide approaches to sustainable energy. These
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 23
new Energy Action Zones will have the potential to make dramatic improvements to
energy efficiency and reductions in emissions, and could provide a model that will
link to other developments in the borough.
Lewisham Council is working with the London Development Agency to pilot an
extension of the LDA’s existing Green Concierge service focussing on an area-wide
approach. The details of this new initiative are in development but it will seek to
establish an energy advice scheme providing monitoring of energy use and advice on
saving within a targeted area such as a street, square or estate.
Empowering local communities: Actions and Targets
•
•
•
Work with local assemblies and the Council’s officers and ward Councillors to
provide support and advice for the assemblies in developing proposals that will
achieve energy savings and promote sustainable energy
Use the new ‘Innovations Fund’ to support a range of different approaches to
mitigating climate change complementing existing funding streams to add
innovation alongside the basic insulation and energy efficiency measures
Pilot a new ‘Green Streets’ initiative with the London Development Agency
CASE STUDY: ENERGY ACTION ZONES
Lewisham’s Energy Action Zone (EAZ) started in April 2007 with the twin objectives
of reducing fuel poverty and reducing CO2 emissions. The first year of the EAZ
covered all homes in Downham, Brockley and Evelyn.
The project aims to reach audiences who would otherwise be unlikely to access the
range of advice and support that exists on energy efficiency, and has a focus on
those vulnerable to fuel poverty including people house-bound through poor health
and people on benefits. A team of specially trained officers speak to residents on
their doorstep and can be contacted by telephone. The EAZ team also works with
local community groups and other local public sector agencies like the safer
neighbourhood teams to engage with more difficult to reach groups, including people
who’s first language is not English.
The EAZ achieves energy savings through:
• General energy advice, for example on the use of heating systems
• Referrals to grant programmes for improvements to insulation and heating
systems
• Provision of free energy efficient light bulbs
In its first year of operations the EAZ team
• Contacted 20,185 residents in the three wards through an introductory letter and
a follow-up door-step visit
• Completed 3,977 household surveys
• Referred 229 households to funding programmes
Where a survey is completed the householder is given energy saving advice, such as
use of thermostats and switching off appliances left on stand-by. They are also given
two free low energy lightbulbs. In the interviews the EAZ team try and identify issues
that could point to particular problems, such as unusually high energy bills or
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 24
temperature problems.
The survey enables the Council to identify people eligible for financial support for
energy efficiency improvements to their home. In 2007/08 referrals resulted in the
delivery of 271 energy saving measures including loft and cavity wall insulation,
draught proofing, repairs to heating systems and the installation of a new heating
system. According to Defra’s calculations these measures will deliver savings of
7,000 tonnes of CO2 and lifetime (30 year) financial savings for recipients estimated
at over £1 million.
The EAZ also delivers a range of wider benefits including
• Benefit take up among vulnerable residents
• Helping residents in social housing get maintenance jobs resolved
• Advice on recycling and other Council services
• Liaising with wardens and the local safer neighbourhood team
• Targeting potentially excluded groups, for example with community groups for
ethnic minorities
The project will move on to three new wards in 2008, and we will aim to cover all
parts of the borough over the next 4 years.
6.4
Tackling Fuel Poverty
The generally accepted definition of fuel poverty is when a household has to spend
10% or more of its income on energy to maintain a warm house. Fuel costs are
closely linked to the world old prices and have been highly volatile in recent years,
with oil prices reaching a record high in January 2008.
The Council’s target is that all homes in the Borough have access to adequate,
affordable heating by 2015, which is backed by the Affordable Warmth Strategy
published in 2004.
The Affordable Warmth Strategy was aimed at creating the housing conditions that
will provide affordable warmth, targeting energy advice on the most vulnerable
members of the community and enabling them to access support. There are a range
of practical initiatives to tackle poor heating and insulation and the problems that are
associated with them, including:
• Investment in new heating systems in social housing, with between 1995 and
2006 over 11,000 homes benefiting
• Delivery of the Decent Homes standard
• Targeting vulnerable citizens and those potentially socially excluded through
advice and support, including through the Energy Action Zone
• Promoting awareness of benefits as well as of grant schemes and other financial
support
• Raising the profile of energy awareness across the Council and other public
agencies
The Government’s National Indicator set includes a new indicator (no. 187) on fuel
poverty: ‘People receiving income based benefits living in homes with a low energy
efficiency rating’. This requires Council’s to undertake a yearly survey to estimate
numbers of fuel poor households. We will include this measure with those
specifically on climate change in establishing a baseline and robust performance
targets.
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 25
Tackling Fuel Poverty: Actions and Targets
•
•
•
•
•
7
Work with housing management organisations to deliver energy performance that
meet and extend beyond the Decent Homes minimum standard.
Provide all residents with advice and support enabling citizens to get access to
information and grants to improve the energy efficiency of their home.
Extend the Energy Action Zones to three new wards, and cover the entire
borough within 4 years.
Use the new ‘Innovations Fund’ to support projects that complement existing
funding streams, adding innovation alongside basic insulation and energy
efficiency measures.
Deliver a benchmark figure for fuel poverty within the borough using the
Government’s new measure.
Adaptation
As well as addressing the causes of climate change and reducing emissions of
greenhouse gases the response to climate change needs provide solutions to the
known and anticipated impacts of climate change. These two different strands of
activity are often called climate change mitigation and adaptation.
The UK Climate Change Programme predicted significant changes to temperature
and rainfall across the UK by 2080 with an estimated:
• increase in winter rainfall of 20% and a decrease in summer rainfall of 20%
• a temperature rise of between 1.2 and 3.2 oC
In addition these forecast average changes climate change is expected to increase
the incidence of extreme weather events such as storms and heat-waves.
These changes would have wide ranging consequences for air quality, the likelihood
of flooding, biodiversity, health with the potential to cause widespread disruption.
The global nature of these changes are also predicted to lead to greater migration
across the planet, with the potential for widespread displacement leading to greater
levels of immigration from the most severely affected areas.
The Council published its Climate Change strategic framework: adaptive solutions to
climate change in 2006. This includes a range of actions designed to promote
solutions to some of the problems that could reasonable be anticipated. Actions
include:
• Increasing shade in parks and open spaces
• Measures to manage flooding and increased levels of water
• Use of planning controls to locate developments away from areas at most risk
and promote sustainable housing
• Resilience planning across the borough to plan and respond to incidents of
flooding, excessive heat, the spread of new disease and other potentially
disruptive impacts
• Assess Council services to meet the future long-term needs of immigration onto
the borough
• Work with local businesses and strategic partners to promote adaptive policies,
planning and operational standards
Adaptation: Actions and Targets
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 26
•
•
8
Review and reinvigorate the delivery of the Climate Change strategic framework
‘Adaptive solutions to climate change’
Establish robust monitoring arrangements with the Corporate Sustainability Board
Delivery of the Strategy
This section summarises proposals to deliver Lewisham’s Carbon Reduction and
Climate Change Strategy, and identifies the factors relevant to setting, and delivery
of, targets on emissions.
The regulatory and policy framework
International, national and regional agreements and policies have generated a range
of targets related to climate change. In establishing the right local targets for
Lewisham for both the short and long term it will be important to reflect Lewisham’s
distinctive characteristics as well as our ambitions for change within the emerging
regulatory and policy framework.
The UK Government’s target for CO2 emissions, enshrined in the Climate Change
Bill, is for a 60% reduction by 2050 against a baseline of 1990. In the GLA’s Climate
Change Action Plan the Mayor of London proposes a 60% reduction in CO2
emissions by 2025 against a baseline of 2000, this target has been maintained
following the 2008 Mayoral election.
There are a range of factors that need to be considered in relation to targets,
including:
• The degree of uncertainty or potential for change. One of the key tasks of the
newly established Committee on Climate Change is to consider whether the UK
target for a 60% reduction should be increased to 80%. The proposed London
target is based on changes to the current national regulatory and policy
framework that have not been agreed.
• The precise nature of the target and the activity it includes. The national target for
example is based on savings delivered through power stations, which are
expected to account for a significant part of the overall total reduction in
emissions but are not measured as part of Defra’s CO2 indicators for local
authorities
• Timing. This is in respect of the baselines as well as the proposed reduction of
CO2 emissions and the date by which this is to be achieved.
In August 2007 Defra published its proposed performance indicators on climate
change, these include:
• ‘CO2 reduction from local authority operations’ (National Indicator reference 185)
• ‘Per capita CO2 emissions in the local authority area’ (NI186)
• ‘Tackling fuel poverty: people receiving income based benefits living in homes
with a low energy efficiency rating’ (NI 187)
• ‘Adapting to climate change’ (NI 188)
These are the measures that are incorporated within the national performance
framework for local government established in the Local Government White Paper.
Defra will publish annual data of CO2 emissions disaggregated to local authority and
government office region. From 2008 onwards all local authorities will be required to
calculate their own carbon footprint annually.
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 27
Lewisham Climate Change targets
This Strategy draws together a range of existing activity and proposes a number of
new strands of work, the detail of which will be incorporated within individual service
plans and related strategic documents published by the Council. In building on this
service-specific activity this strategy identifies a range of actions. Delivery of the
Strategy and the development of headline targets for CO2 emissions is based on the
following:
• The inclusion of national indicator 186, ‘Per capita CO2 emissions in the local
authority area’, within Lewisham’s Local Area Agreement (LAA) as a signal of a
borough-wide commitment to deliver reductions in emissions.
• The LAA establishes a target of a 8.5% reduction in CO2 emissions in 2010 from
a baseline of 2005. This target has been based on a consideration of current
trajectory and the emerging approach in other comparable boroughs. This
recognises the currently limited data available to support target setting on NI 186
and seeks to balance the risks in short-term predictions of CO2 emissions while
maintaining Lewisham’s positive ambition for achieving reductions.
• A proposed target of a 10% reduction in CO2 emissions attributable to Council
operations. This target is provisional on further detailed analysis, including an
assessment of longer-term targets.
We are working with the Carbon Trust and others to develop an independent
diagnostic of the carbon and energy savings from Council operations. We are also
proposing further technical assessment of the carbon savings that can be achieved
on a borough-wide basis. This analysis will support further consideration of longer
term targets, and will form the basis for the detailed action plan that will underpin the
delivery of this strategy and that will be the focus of work with our strategic partners
and others across the borough. This action plan is expected to be completed six
months after the Strategy is agreed, and will calculate the savings that can be
expected in relation to each of the actions undertaken by the Council.
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 28
Key actions: timetable for delivery
Action
Inclusion within the LAA of National
Indicator 186 ‘Per Capita CO2 emissions in
local authority area’ (5.1)
Agree targets for NI 186; NI 185 (see
section 8 above); (All)
Initiate involvement in the Carbon Trust’s
Carbon Management Programme (4)
Start a new ‘Green Streets’ initiative (6.3)
Finalise specification for detailed analysis
of carbon savings and delivery of national
indicators (4 & 6)
Initiate new schools-programme combining
new technology, insulation improvements,
educational materials and other
sustainability projects (4 & 6)
Inclusion of new criteria on carbon
reduction in the Council’s Business
Environmental Excellence scheme (5.2)
Implement “Smart meters” initiative (6.3)
Review and update Climate Change
Adaptation Strategy (7)
Agreement with LSP on commitment to
reducing CO2 emissions (5.1)
Implementation of Display Energy
Certificates (4.1)
Report on Council buildings energy use
and maintenance requirements to
Corporate Sustainability Board (4.1)
6-monthly report against Strategy (All)
Delivery of Carbon Management Plan (All)
Report on the introduction of the
Innovations Fund to Corporate
Sustainability Board (All)
Development of proposals for new lowcarbon business hubs (5.2)
Report on the extension of measures to
combat fuel poverty (6.4)
Completion of roll out of Energy Action
Zones to three new wards (6.2)
Annual Progress Review and initial report
on Carbon Management Plan (All)
Lead
Sustainable Resources; LSP
Team
Timing
June 08
Sustainable Resources
June 08
Sustainable Resources
June 08
Sustainable Resources
Sustainable Resources
July 08
July 08
Sustainable Resources;
Children and Young People
July 08
Sustainable Resources;
Economic Development
July 08
Sustainable Resources
Sustainable Resources
Aug 08
Aug 08
Sustainable Resources and
LSP Team
Sustainable Resources;
Property Services
Sustainable Resources;
Property Services
Oct 08
Oct 08
Nov 08
Sustainable Resources
Sustainable Resources
Corporate Sustainability
Board; Sustainable
Resources
Sustainable Resources and
Economic Development
Sustainable Resources
Dec 08
Dec 08
Dec 08
Mar 09
Sustainable Resources
Mar 09
Sustainable Development
Select Committee;
Sustainable Resources
May 09
Jan 09
Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Strategy July 2008 29