North Tyneside Council’s
Climate Change Strategy
2010 – 2015
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CONTENTS
Foreword by the Elected Mayor
3-4
Working with key partners
5-7
Involvement of Stakeholders and Citizens
Current partners
Drivers for Carbon Management and Reduction
8-11
Protocols, Accords, Acts, planning, emission trading
What is climate change – why is the world warming?
12-16
What is the greenhouse effect?
Why greenhouse gases have increased
What’s being done to fight Climate Change?
Energy supply, demand and security
17-20
Energy versus demand – where are we now?
Is energy supply a problem?
Is gas the answer?
Security of supply
Impacts of Climate Change on the Rest of the World
21-27
Impacts of Climate Change in the UK
Impacts of Climate Change in the North East
Impacts of Climate Change in North Tyneside
How is North Tyneside Responding to Climate Change?
28-29
The Challenge for North Tyneside
29-31
The Precautionary Principle
32
How can you reduce your carbon footprint?
33-34
The causes and effects of Climate Change
35
National Indicator Set for Local Authorities
36
Climate Change Carbon Reduction Action Plan
37-47
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Foreword by Linda Arkley, Elected Mayor of North Tyneside
Climate change is no longer a distant threat, its here
now and it’s speeding up. Around the world, many
areas are already struggling to cope with rising
temperatures. Europeans are also feeling the effects
through droughts, floods, heat waves and forest fires
all becoming more frequent. What we are
experiencing now is largely the results of a billion
tonnes of carbon dioxide released into the
atmosphere each day through the process of burning
coal, oil and natural gas. Not only is the environment suffering but also our economy
and society too. Steps should be taken to make people and places less vulnerable to
these changes; not adapting to climate change is no longer an option.
The challenge is a complex one and with no miracle energy source, the only
solutions lie in increasing energy efficiency and finding alternative technologies as well
as making full use of renewable sources. Whilst governments and politicians can
decide on priorities and set aside budgets to alleviate aspects of climate change, we
can also do more things to make North Tyneside a better place to live. That is why
North Tyneside Council has introduced a package of strategies and policy measures
to deliver on its commitment to reduce carbon emissions.
North Tyneside Council realise that we have a vital role to play in cutting carbon
emissions and are well placed to deliver and shape action. This authority set the
scene in 2002 by signing the Nottingham Declaration for Climate Change and
followed this with the introduction of a holistic approach to sustainability through
the publication of the Sustainable Development Strategy in 2007.
The Climate Change Strategy was introduced, in 2009, as a driver to ensure that
reducing carbon emissions become embedded across council operations and the
community. In May 2009, North Tyneside Council as successful in attaining a place
on the Local Authority Carbon Management Programme, which determine the
Council’s baseline carbon footprint and provided costed and quantified strategy to
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drive down carbon emissions over a five-year period. Participation in the Local
Authority Carbon Management Programme, through the Carbon Trust, gives us
even greater opportunity to publicise the good work that has been going on, within
North Tyneside over recent years, and helped us to utilise the consultation and
technical training offered by this programme in not only setting a baseline for our
emissions but also in developing a strategic approach in tackling climate change and
reducing our emissions.
North Tyneside Council has already made a commitment to reduce carbon
emissions from its activities by introducing an aspirational target of 34% by 2015
from the baseline of 2008-2009. However, we also recognise that one of our main
visions is to make North Tyneside a low-carbon economy that has adapted well to
the impact of climate change. This will entail large-scale changes to existing practices
and policies in embedding carbon management across the entire organisation.
The Climate Change Strategy itself builds on the Sustainable Development Strategy
and puts into place an integrated approach in fulfilling the social, environmental and
economic objectives within North Tyneside. It also operates on a long-term
perspective, but includes targets and actions to be achieved in both short and
medium-term timescales. The strategy aims to be a flexible document, reviewed on
an annual basis using the principles of this strategy in incorporating four overarching
themes, which can be defined as:
• Reduction in CO2 equivalent emissions
• Adaption to climate change
• Promotion of sustainable development
• Delivery of the Carbon Management Action Plan
The Carbon Management Action Plan will deliver real time carbon and financial
savings, but only if organisations, businesses and individuals in the borough agree on
how to proceed. It is a vision that can only be realised by working together, in
partnerships, sharing best practice and by delivering on carbon reduction initiatives.
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Working with key partners, forums, groups and environmental
organisations
The Sustainable Community Strategy defines a sustainable community as:
‘A place where people want to live and work, now and in the future. They
meet the diverse needs of existing and future residents, are sensitive to
their environment and contribute to a high quality of life. They are safe
and inclusive, well planned, built and run and offer equality of opportunity
and good service for all’.
North Tyneside council believes that more will be achieved if people work together.
They could be community, faith groups, police and fire services, charity groups,
businesses, schools, health bodies and more. Pooling experience and expertise, they
can understand local people, places and problems as well as making sure that the
right actions and right services are delivered.
Involvement of Stakeholders and Citizens
North Tyneside Strategic Partnership is a key stakeholder in both the Sustainable
Development and Climate Change strategies, which support all the continuing work
regarding carbon reduction.
A key project within the Sustainable Energy Action Plan will be to develop and
deliver a programme of localised community involvement activities to support a
Borough wide approach to carbon reduction management. This will be developed
with our strategic partners and local support agencies.
The Third Sector, which includes a very diverse range of organisations, e.g.
community and faith groups, local voluntary organisations as well as small and
medium sized businesses make a vital contribution to strong and cohesive
communities ensuring that the voices of those most excluded are heard. They should
be a key and respected partner of every local authority, as well as other local public
bodies and the private sector. Meaningful third sector participation is a crucial
element of a Local Strategic Partnership, typically reflected by the nature of their
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involvement in the Local Strategic Partnerships thematic, policy and sub-groups. An
inclusive group carries more weight; exerts more influence; provides an efficient
point of engagement for external stakeholders; and helps to build better
relationships and partnerships.
Climate change is clearly affecting us today, but the most severe effects will be felt in
years to come unless we all take action now. This means that we will have to adapt
to the changes over the coming decades. It is therefore, an opportunity for all
residents, businesses and partners to embrace the changes that must take place
across the borough so that together we can achieve our goal of being a truly “green
borough”. Let us remember, tacking climate change is no longer just a “nice thing to
do” it is a “must to do” for the sake of future generations and the responsibility lies
with us all.
The consultation exercise carried out on the formation of a Climate Change Strategy
for North Tyneside, has influenced the content and structure of the document by
bringing together a consensus of opinion, which addressed the impacts of climate
change through constructive consultation, ownership of actions and individual
dialogue. This can be seen through the work of the Sustainable Communities and
Neighbourhoods Partnership, a theme group from the North Tyneside Strategic
Partnership, who have built on its proactive approach in developing a response to
climate change, by engaging and meeting with respective partners and working with
them to deliver our programme of carbon reduction throughout the borough. As a
result of this a more cohesive approach has been adopted by active community
involvement. Examples include: Working with and supporting Meadow Well Connected in their quest to become
a zero carbon resource centre
The conversion of an old ex caretakers house to a sustainable Eco House
Planned workshops in partnership with Tedco to develop a carbon network and
create a sustainable development think tank
Wide consultation and feedback on all sustainable and carbon strategies
Participating and attending “green” events held in the borough.
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Our Current Partners include: Acorn Recycling
Age Concern
Children, Young People & Learning Partnership
Community Network Partnership
Energy Saving Trust
Friends of the Earth (North Tyneside)
Government Office North East
Health & Wellbeing Partnership
Jobcentre Plus
North East Chamber of Commerce
North of Tyne Primary Care
North Tyneside Council
Northumbria Police
Coalition of Disabled People
Older Peoples Forum
Primary Care Trust
Regeneration & Enterprise Partnership
Safer North Tyneside Partnership
Soroptimist - Tynemouth & District
SustaiNE
Green North Tyneside Partnership
Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue Service
Tyne Metropolitan College
VODA
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Drivers for Carbon Management
In October 2006, the Stern Review indicated that the social, environmental and
economics costs of climate change could be huge and he advocated that taking action
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is an economic imperative because the benefits
of strong early action will outweigh the costs required to make these changes.
The Kyoto Protocol, Copenhagen and a global picture
The Kyoto Protocol is an International agreement, linked to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change. This sets out measures to limit and
monitor the effects of global warming through the harmful emissions of human
industrial development with a time frame identified as 2008-2012. One of the major
features of the Protocol is that it sets binding targets for 37 industrialized nations
and the European community for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The aim was to
reduce the overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 5% compared with levels
measured in 1990.
Copenhagen Accord
The accord was brokered by the US, China, India, South Africa, Brazil and the EU
and set out the following main aims; Introduce real scrutiny and transparency to ensure emission targets are put into
effect, with mandatory reporting every two years for developing countries
Provide $30 billion of immediate short-term funding from developed countries
over the next three years to kick start emission reduction
Measures and help the poorest countries adapt to the impacts of climate change
Commit developed countries to work in providing long-term financing of $100
billion a year by 2020
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The Energy Act 2008
This act looks towards being more financially stable and ending a dependence on
imports on a national level, rather than the promotion of more environmentally
friendly sources.
The main aim was to update energy legislation to: Reflect the availability of new technologies (such as Carbon Capture & Storage)
and emerging renewable technologies
Correspond with the UK's changing requirements for secure energy supply (such
as offshore gas storage)
Protect our environment and the tax payer as our energy market changes
However, The Act specifically looks at: -
Offshore gas supply infrastructure: strengthening regulation to allow for private
sector investment to help maintain the UK’s reliable energy supplies
Decommissioning offshore renewables, oil and gas installations: strengthening our
statutory decommissioning requirements to minimise the risk of liabilities falling
to the Government
Improving offshore oil and gas licensing: improving licensing to respond to
changes in the commercial environment and enable DECC to carry out its
regulatory functions more effectively
European Union Covenant of Mayors
The first and most ambitious European Union initiative targeting directly local
authorities and their communities to take the lead in climate change. North Tyneside
Council has signed up to the cross-boundary working project with 11 other local
authorities in the North East.
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Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development: Sets
out the Government's overarching planning policies on the delivery of sustainable
development through the planning system. It identifies that Local Authorities must
make sure that the Local Development Framework prioritises action to reduce the
threat of climate change by ensuring that policies emphasize the importance of
reducing energy use, reducing emissions and promoting the development of
renewable energy resources in the location and design of development
Planning Policy Statement: Planning and Climate Change - Supplement
to Planning Policy Statement 1: Sets out how planning, in providing for the new
homes, jobs and infrastructure needed by communities, should help shape places
with lower carbon emissions and that are resilient to climate change. The PPS
expects new development to be located to optimise its carbon performance and
make the most of existing and planned opportunities for decentralised, renewable
and low carbon energy supplies
Planning Policy Statement 22: Renewable Energy: Sets out the Government's
policies for renewable energy, which planning authorities should have regard to
when preparing local development documents and when taking planning decisions.
There are now a host of policy instruments from all tiers of government seeking to
direct local governments to take action on climate change. These are summarised
below: UK Climate Change Programme;
Carbon Reduction Commitment;
Local Government White Paper (2006);
The Climate Change Bill;
Climate Change & Sustainable Energy Act
The UK Government is committed to addressing both the causes and consequences
of climate change by introducing the Climate Change Act, which was progressed
through the House of Commons, and received ascent in 2008. This Act creates a
new approach to both managing and responding to climate change throughout the
UK setting ambitious targets; taking powers to achieve them, strengthening the
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institutional framework, enhancing the UK’s ability to adapt to the impacts of climate
change and establishing clear and regular accountability to the UK, Parliament and
devolved legislatures. This Act puts into statute the UK’s targets to reduce carbon
emissions through domestic and international action by including a new legally
binding target of at least 80% by 2050 and at least 34% by 2020, against a 1990
baseline.
Display Energy Certificates
From 1st October 2008 there has been a legal requirement for all public sector
buildings, with a total useful floor area over 1000m2, to show a Display Energy
Certificate (DEC), in a prominent place, clearly visible to the public. These are on
display in all North Tyneside buildings and schools and will be reviewed annually to
reflect any change in performance.
Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme
The UK Government has introduced the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy
Efficiency Scheme (CRCEES), from April 2010. This is a legally binding climate change
and energy efficiency scheme based on emissions trading. It is applicable to large
businesses and public sector organisations, including schools. Each participant must
purchase one carbon allowance for every tonne of CO2 emissions that come from
their operations (generally electricity and gas consumption within buildings). The
cost of allowances for the initial first three years of the CRCEES is £12 per tonne
and this is expected to rise significantly, possibly to as high as £70 per tonne by
2030. The carbon management performance of all CRCEES participants will be
evaluated and placed into a league table.
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What is Climate Change - why is the world warming?
Climate change is not static. Over the millions of years of earth’s existence, the
climate has changed many times in response to natural causes such as variations in
energy received from the sun and volcanic eruptions. Today, when people talk about
climate change, they mean the shifts in temperature that have happened over the
past 100 years. During this time the average temperature of the atmosphere near to
the earth’s surface has risen resulting in 11 of the 12 hottest years on record
occurring between 1990 and 2006. Also, the average sea level around the UK is now
about 10cm higher than it was in 1900.
The main human influence on climate change is emissions of the key greenhouse
gases (PAGE 13). The accumulation of these gases in the atmosphere strengthens the
greenhouse effect. At present, just over 7 billion tones of CO2 are emitted globally
each year through fossil fuel use, and an additional 1.6 billion tonnes are emitted by
land use change, largely by deforestation. The concentrations of these gases have
now reached levels unprecedented for tens of thousands of years.
In 1997, the Kyoto Protocol was agreed and led to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which set legally binding emission
reduction targets for the industrialised nations and introduced the “basket” of six
greenhouse gases, which can be seen in the table on page 13.
Under this internationally agreed Protocol, which came into force in 2005, the UK is
committed to achieving a 12.5 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions on
1990 levels by 2012.The recent Energy White Paper sets out longer-term plans to
help the UK achieve an 80 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.
What is the Greenhouse Effect?
The earth is surrounded by a layer of gases, which act like the glass walls of a
greenhouse: they let the sun’s rays enter, but stop much of the heat from leaving.
This is a natural process, and it is this layer of greenhouse gases that keep the planet
warm enough for people and animals to live. However, as humans emit more
greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, the greenhouse effect becomes stronger.
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More heat is trapped, and the earth’s climate begins to change unnaturally. Since the
industrial revolution, which began in the 18th Century, the amount of carbon dioxide
in the atmosphere has increased by 35 percent.
Greenhouse Gases
Carbon dioxide
(CO2)
Methane (CH4)
Nitrous oxide
(NO2)
Hydrofluorocarbons
(HFC)
Perfluorocarbons
(PFC)
Sulphur hexafluoride
(SF6)
The Causes and Sources of
Greenhouse Gases
Combustion of fossil fuels in power stations, road and air
transport, domestic, industrial, public, commercial, and
agricultural sectors
Coal mines, landfill sites, agricultural livestock, the oceans
and leakage from the gas distribution network
Agricultural soils, fossil fuel combustion, nylon and nitric
acid production, power stations and road transport
combustion
Refrigeration, aerosols and halocarbon production (firefighting chemical)
Electronics industry and aluminum production
Electrical insulation and magnesium manufacture
Why greenhouse gases have increased
Human activity has changed the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere in
four important ways: Forests have been cut down. Trees absorb carbon dioxide
so, with fewer trees, more carbon builds up in the
atmosphere
FACT:
Deforestation
Agriculture and the industry that replaces the forests are also
produces
5.9 billion
a source of emissions
tonnes
Burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas releases greenhouse
of CO2
gases. In 2005, 27 billion tonnes of carbon was emitted to the per year
or
atmosphere
10 per cent
of global
The world’s population is growing. This is leading to an
CO2
increased demand for food, livestock and energy, which in
turn leads to increased emissions
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The conclusion is that if we continue to burn these fossil fuels, and continue to burn
them in larger quantities, the planet will continue to heat up and may eventually
become uninhabitable. Some say we have already passed the point of no return for
the human race; others believe there is still time to take drastic action to address
the problem.
The main contributors to climate change in the UK
4 per cent of emissions come from industrial processes
7 per cent are from agriculture e.g. methane from livestock and manure and
nitrous oxide from chemical fertilisers
21 per cent are from transport
65 per cent come from the consumption of fuel to generate electricity
(excluding transport)
About 40 per cent of emissions in the UK are the result of decisions taken directly
by individuals. The biggest sources of emissions for most people are likely to be: • Energy use in homes (the main source is heating)
• Driving
• Air travel
Other things in people’s homes contribute to climate change indirectly. Everything,
from furniture to computers, from clothes to carpets, uses energy when it is
produced and transported – and this causes emissions to be released. (Direct
government – environment and greener living)
What can you do about climate change?
Some changes to the climate are inevitable, but there is still time to positively
influence the future. You can help minimise further changes and adapt to the new
situation through decisions and actions, which are often quick and easy to put into
practice. (Greener living: a quick guide to what you can do)
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What’s being done to help fight climate change?
Under the Kyoto Protocol, by 2008 – 12 the UK must reduce its baseline emissions
of the six major greenhouse gases, by 5 per cent. Furthermore, the Climate Change
Bill commits the UK to reductions of CO2 of at least 34 per cent by 2020 and a longterm goal of 80 per cent by 2050.
What the Government is doing
Introduced the Climate Change Bill, which has progressed through the House of
Commons, including a new legally binding target of 80 per cent cut in emissions
by 2050, and work towards international agreements on shipping and aviation
Introduced mandatory Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) for the sale /
purchase of homes
Working with energy suppliers, who through the Carbon Energy Reduction
Target (CERT), provide support to householders to help improve the efficiency
of their homes
Introduced the Climate Change Levy whereby businesses pay an additional tax on
their energy use, unless exempted by their use of renewable energy
Introduced a Renewables Obligation so that all electricity suppliers must provide
10 per cent of the electricity they sell from renewable sources by 2010
Lowering Value Added Tax (VAT) from 17.5 per cent to 5 per cent on some
energy saving materials e.g. insulation and heating controls, if they are fitted by
professional installers
Funding micro generation grant schemes to the amount of £80 million, including
the Low Carbon Buildings Programme, which provides grants towards installing
micro generation technologies
Encouraging local authority planning authorities to adopt micro generation
targets for new buildings
What business is doing?
During 2005 – 06, lifetime savings of approximately 100,000 tonnes of CO2 were
achieved through the Energy Saving Trust (EST) transport programmes. This
included working with 200 companies to help them improve their transport
behaviour
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Working with the building industry to help improve the energy standards that
are used in housing through the best practice programme
The Carbon Trust is also working with businesses across the UK to help them
reduce their carbon emissions
What householders are doing
Thousands of people are adopting energy saving lifestyles by doing simple things
Between 2002 - 05, a massive 1.1 million households installed or topped up their
loft insulation. It is estimated that £87 million a year in energy costs will be saved
as a result
Through the work of the Energy Saving Trust Advice Centres they have given
energy advice to over 7 million people during the last 10 years. This advice
includes installing energy efficient measures such as loft installation, condensing
boilers, cavity wall insulation etc.
You can call 0800 512 012 to speak to your local advice centre
What North Tyneside Council is doing
Creation of a new Environmental Sustainability Team
Working with the Carbon Trust towards a carbon reduction target of 34% by
2015
Carried out energy audits of selected council buildings and schools as part of an
assessment of energy saving opportunities
Raising awareness of sustainability issues across the council and within our
schools
Establishing a carbon footprint for the borough
Launched its first Eco House
Set up North Tyneside Warmzone to install energy efficiency measures in
residents homes
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Energy supply, demand and security
Emissions of CO2 from fossil fuels
Emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere from human activities have
increased since the Industrial revolution, particularly since about 1950.Evidence show
changes in emissions from solid fuel (mainly coal), liquid (oil) and gas, and the total
emissions from burning fossil fuels. In addition to the fossil fuels source, carbon
dioxide is also emitted when forests are cleared and burnt. Predictions of the
warming effect over the next 100 years shows that two thirds of the expected future
warming will come from carbon dioxide, with other greenhouse gases making up the
rest
How can we know what the temperatures were so long ago?
Tree rings indicate annual temperatures – they grow faster and thicker in warm
weather. By drilling cores out of old timber and measuring their thickness, it is
possible to track the temperatures year by year. Relatively new timber can be
matched with the temperature measurements from thermometer readings, and
then by comparing overlapping samples of timber
Ice cores have been drilled out of the Arctic, containing the layers of snow that
have fallen over the last 400,000 years. Analysis of the gases, chemicals and pollen
trapped in each year’s layer indicates the annual temperature
Ocean sediments have built up slowly over time and analysis takes the record
back a million years
These techniques provide a long-term temperature profile for the earth and a basis
for deciding whether present climate change is usual or not.
Energy supply versus demand – where are we now?
The main sources of energy in the UK are gas, oil and coal. Electricity is not included
because it is not a source of energy but a means of delivering energy. It has to be
generated from fossil fuels, biomass or renewable sources like wind, waves or sun.
Fossil fuels account for just over 90 percent of the total energy used.
Nearly three quarters of the oil is used for transport (Department of Transport
statistics for 2004, http://www.dft.gov.uk, road vehicles, trains, boats and
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aeroplanes. The rest of the energy is delivered to the point of use; electricity by the
national grid, gas via the pipeline network and heating oil and Liquefied Petroleum
Gas (LPG) by road or rail tanker. The two key issues with energy supply and security
are:
• Supply: is there enough energy to meet demand?
• Security: can we get whatever we want, whenever we want it?
Is energy supply a problem?
Oil
There are still considerable oil reserves in the North Sea, but these cannot meet our
demands as North Sea oil is running out. Running out does not mean that we will
wake up tomorrow morning and find that the oil wells have run dry. The moment of
truth will be when everyone accepts that we have reached Peak Oil. Peak Oil is the
point when the world meets its maximum rate of oil production, which means that
we can no longer satisfy a growing demand resulting in shortages and decline. No
one knows whether this decline will be gentle or catastrophic but we will have used
half the planet’s oil reserves in just 10 years. Members of the Association for the
Study of Peak Oil and Gas (ASPO), base their projections on their personal
experiences as oil executives and on the work carried out by geologist M King
Hubbert who notes that a number of oil-producing states, including the UK, have
already passed their own production peaks.
Using Hubbert’s methodology, ASPO believes that Peak Oil for the whole world will
occur by 2010, although this may not be recognised immediately by the oil
companies, governments or the markets that set the price of oil. By
contrast, the general opinion of the oil industry is that Peak Oil is at least 10 years
away and that total reserves will last for at least 50 to 100 years. The faster oil
demand grows the sooner Peak Oil will be reached. Demand is growing steadily in
the USA and Europe but in the developing countries e.g. China and India, demand is
growing very rapidly. What happens when we reach Peak Oil? In the past, shortterm oil increases have brought recession to Western economies and the markets
have raised prices to protect themselves against the risk of short-term shortages;
when the perceived risk recedes, the price falls back. Today, we are seeing oil prices
at a record high - resulting in huge increases in energy bills. If we believed the hype
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about everything from the millennium bug to bird flu, we would all stay in bed. If the
solution to our problems means not driving cars, not heating our homes, not taking
cheap flights to the sun, most of us are going to do all these things while we can, and
not worry about it until someone stops us. Of course then it may be too late, but on
the other hand, it may never happen. But maybe all this is overplayed. If one source
of oil runs out maybe there are others.
Is gas the answer?
Gas
In 1970 natural gas accounted for less than 6 per cent of energy in the UK. By 2004
that proportion had increased to 40 per cent. And gas had become the UK’s largest
source of energy – even more important than oil as a fuel.
Gas is probably the most versatile fuel – we use it to generate our electricity, it’s the
most popular fuel for central heating, and it’s widely used for cooking. Gas is cleaner
than coal or oil emitting less CO2 particulates and soot. The change to gas in the
1980s and 90s through cheaper and cleaner power stations have made significant
progress towards the Kyoto targets for the reduction of CO2.
Globally, ASPO expects Peak Gas to be reached around 2015. Global reserves
currently amount to 65 years, less of course if demand doubles by 2020.The
Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI, now called the Department of Energy and
Climate Change), Energy Review in 2006, states if a new infrastructure is not
forthcoming for the UK, or is delayed, there is a substantial risk of price rises costing
consumers hundreds of millions of pounds. If demand rises and supply is restricted
then prices will rise.
Gas production is declining in North America. China, rapidly industrialising and with
20 per cent of the world’s population, has only 1.3 per cent of global gas reserves –
less than Australia. All countries must look to world markets for their requirements
and the markets will allocate gas supplies. Only those prepared to pay the asking
price will be successful. In recent months we have seen gas prices to domestic
consumers in the UK rise considerably. These rises are set to continue. If, for
example, they continue to rise by 20 per cent per annum they will double every
three to four years.
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Security of supply
Although uranium has to be imported, the major producers are Canada and
Australia: both stable and friendly countries. Given the small volumes needed, it
would be possible to store a year’s supply of fuel at a time
Coal is also imported – some 36 million tonnes per year – so while some stocks
can be held, the process is vulnerable to both delivery and price
Gas is increasingly imported – only 10 days’ stock is held in the UK
The cost of decommissioning nuclear plants, including the long-term storage of
waste, cannot be ignored. Figures of £60 billion have been quoted for
decommissioning, while this will be spread over 30 years. The construction of
nuclear power stations will take 10 to 15 years to complete
The fact is that in 10 to 15 years from now we will need new power stations: Do we build new coal stations and pollute CO2 and other gases?
Do we go for gas and hope that foreign suppliers will continue to supply?
Or do we?
Go for nuclear – perhaps most expensive, most controversial, but cleanest,
arguably the safest and with security of supply?
Will renewable technologies fill the gap?
What do we do about supplies for our transport fleet, where coal, gas and
nuclear offer no solution at all?
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IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE on the rest of the world
Across the globe there will be more intense heat waves, droughts and flooding.
There may be severe problems for regions where people are particularly vulnerable
to changes in the weather. Food shortages and the spread of disease are commonly
predicted. In October 2006, the Stern Review on the economics of climate change
indicated that the social, environmental and economic costs of climate change could
be huge and advocated that taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is an
economic imperative. (See the Stern Report)
Climate change is already having an impact on the number of environmental refugees.
According to the Telford Study, there are already an estimated 25 million
environmental refugees resulting from changing rain patterns, floods, storms and
rising tides and this figure will significantly rise. Recently, there has been an increase
in flooding in areas across the world, especially in Asia. While some areas of the
world see higher amounts of rain, others see the opposite – severe drought. This is
because climate change is causing rain patterns to alter. Melting ice is leaving polar
bears without ice floes they need to hunt for seals and fish and one fifth of the
world’s coral reefs already suffer from “bleaching”, which occurs when warm water
kills the tiny algae on which the living coral depends for food, energy and colour.
Predicted Impacts in Developing Countries
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has carried out an
assessment of future global climate changes that are very likely to occur during the
21st Century and predicts the effects of climate change are expected to be greatest in
developing countries in terms of loss of life, and relative effects on investment and
economy. Livelihoods built for generations on particular patterns of farming may
quickly become impossible. If not addressed, climate change is likely to place an
additional 80 to 120 million people at risk of hunger; 70 to 80 percent of these will
be in Africa. In Africa it is predicted that by 2050: Land areas may warm by as much as 1.6ºC over the Sahara and semi-arid regions
of Southern Africa. This could mean people having to move from their home due
to prolonged drought
In Southern Africa and parts of the Horn, rainfall will fall by about 10 percent
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Sea level will rise by around 25cm, threatening low-lying areas of West Africa and
coastal fisheries
Climate variability, the frequency and intensity of severe weather events will increase
in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is predicted that:
Hurricanes and tropical storms will increase in intensity. With 26 tropical storms
and 14 hurricanes, the 2005 hurricane season is rated as the most active and
destructive in history
Sea-level rise is likely to hit coastal areas, leading to loss of coastal land,
infrastructure and biodiversity, as well as the intrusion of soil contaminating
saltwater. Sixty of Latin America’s largest cities are located on the coast
Warming in high mountain regions is now melting glaciers, snow and ice, affecting
farming and the availability of water to coastal cities and tourist activities. It is
estimated by 2050 that about 70 percent of the population in South America and
Mexico will live in regions with low water supply
In Asia it is predicted that: Rainfall will become more variable during the Indian summer monsoon. The
timing and intensity of rainfall will become more erratic and between seasons
Heavy rainfall and tropical cyclone intensity may increase due to disruption of the
El Nino cycle and increasing sea surface temperature. A 10ºC increase in
Sea surface temperatures in the Bay of Bengal could increase tropical cyclone
intensity by 10 percent
Other extreme events such as heat waves are also likely to increase as the
climate becomes unstable through climate change
IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE in the UK
The effects of climate change can be seen in our everyday lives. During the last 40
years, the UK’s winters have grown warmer, with heavier bursts of rain. The last
decade has seen nine out of the ten warmest years since records began and during
August 2003 the hottest temperature ever recorded in the UK was taken in
Brogdale in Kent - 38.5ºC. Slowly but surely, much of the UK is experiencing
extreme weather climates more associated with our European neighbours. The
22
Thames barrier was raised three times a year during its first five years of operation;
in the last few years it has been raised on average thirteen times.
As winters become milder, with fewer frosts, cold snaps and snowfall, many
gardeners are finding their lawns need mowing in winter and snowdrops are
blooming before Christmas. Spring is arriving early and autumn later – the
growing season for plants in the UK has expanded by a month since 1900. However,
flooding is becoming a serious threat in much of the country. Severe storms and
rising sea levels (some 10cm higher than the sea level in 1900) are slowly eroding
our coastline. As rainfall turns to deluges, rivers are bursting their banks with flash
floods becoming a more common occurrence. The floods experienced in the UK
during the autumn and winter of 2000 were the worst for some 270 years. The cost
to the farming industry amounted to £500 million.
Predicted Impacts in the UK
By the end of the Century, we could be facing intense heat waves reaching 40ºC in
some places, similar to the heat that killed thousands of people across the rest of
Europe in 2003. As the summers become hotter and drier, drought conditions could
become a major threat. Anyone who lived through the long, hot summer of 1976
will remember the drought that reached crisis proportions: water rationing, building
subsidence, withered crops, diseased trees, wildfires and death from the heat.
The animal and plant worlds would also be thrown into turmoil. Many species that
we traditionally associate with the UK may disappear, while there could be an
increase in insects - with bloodsucking ticks, scorpions and mosquitoes all becoming
a feature of everyday life. Needless to say, the white Christmas could become a thing
of the past, while the UK’s green and pleasant land will become more brown and
unpleasant as the climate becomes less suited to growing lawns and gardens.
The effects on health could also be profound. Aside from obvious issues such as hay
fever, there could be an increase in cataracts, skin cancer, and even tropical diseases
such as Dengue fever and West Nile virus. Even now, mosquitoes carrying such
diseases are invading the USA because of rising temperatures. Using results from the
latest global climate change model developed by the Meteorology Office, the UK
23
Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) suggests (with high confidence) that the UK’s
climate will change in the following ways: The UK will become warmer – by the 2080s annual temperature averaged across
the UK may have risen between 2ºC and 3.5ºC
High summer temperatures will become more frequent and very cold winters
increasingly rare
Winters will become wetter and summers may become drier everywhere
Snowfall amounts will decrease throughout the UK
Heavy winter precipitation will continue to rise around most of the UK’s
shoreline
Relative sea level rise will continue around most of the UK’s shoreline
Extreme sea levels will be experienced more frequently
Overall, it’s clear that the cost to society, the environment, our health and the
economy is going to far outweigh any perceived benefits of a warmer UK. But luckily,
there’s something we can do about it by learning to change our behaviour and take
steps to prevent further climate change.
IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE in the North East
Information on possible future conditions in North Tyneside has been taken from
the official climate change scenarios for the UK, which were published by the
Climate Change Impacts Programme in 2002.
Potential impacts of climate change in the North East of England are highlighted in a
recent report “And the weather is…” (Source: Climate Change in the North East). The
report (commissioned by SustaiNE and backed by One North East, Government
Office North East (NE) and the NE Regional Assembly) identifies that we, as a
region, need to work together in ensuring that regional objectives are met.
A Regional Climate Change Partnership has been established through SustaiNE & the
North East Regional Assembly. The Association of North East Councils (ANEC)
established a member-led Climate Change Task & Finish Group. Further regional
drivers include the Regional Spatial Strategy & the Regional Economic Strategy.
24
The North East Declaration on Climate Change is an extension of the Nottingham
Declaration that has already been signed by all the region’s local authorities and
Northumberland National Park Authority. This new milestone has seen other
organisations sign up to the pledge, including North East Assembly, Government
Office for the North East, Environment Agency, One North East, North East
Chamber of Commerce, Confederation of British Industry, Federation of Small
Businesses, Natural England, Business in the Community, Association of North East
Councils and Voluntary Organisations Network North East, and North Tyneside
Council.
IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE in North Tyneside
It is impossible to predict how climate change could affect North Tyneside but there
are many things that could happen: Natural Environment
Damage to important habitats and wildlife e.g. water voles
Damage to coastal habitats through sea level rises
Migration of new species into the North East
Detrimental impact on fauna including fish
Increased incidence of summer drought would make trees more vulnerable to
disease
Agriculture
Some crops and tree varieties may be less suitable to climate change
Times of planting and harvesting may change as growing season lengthens
Increased irrigation/drainage may be required to deal with water shortages and
waterlogged land
An increase in soil erosion and an invasion of new pest species
New methods of livestock and crop management may need to be developed
Lifestyles and the built environment
• Lower winter heating bills
• Increased demand for water and air conditioning
• Increased condensation, damp and mould
• Damage to the fabric of buildings
25
• Increased subsistence
• Street trees become ‘water stressed’
• Effects of erosion on historic buildings
• Development of new building designs
• Coastal property damage
Water Resources, Flooding and Sea Levels
• Domestic water requirements may increase
• Industrial water requirements may alter
• Flooding events may become more common and extreme
• Sewers may not have the necessary capacity and overflow
• Erosion of riverbanks, cliffs and beaches erosion may occur with the costs
of maintaining sea defences increase
Energy resources
• Disruption to supply through extreme weather events
• Increased demand for energy to cool temperatures
• Reduced demand for energy to warm temperatures
• Higher utility bills due to the uncertainty of oil/gas supply
• Steel lattice pylons and transmission lines may be vulnerable to increased
wind speeds
• Some pumping stations are located very close to the coast and may be at
risk though coastal erosion of flooding
Commerce and industry
• Increased tourism
• New business opportunities as lifestyles change
• Skills of environmental specialists in greater demand e.g. sustainable
construction and renewable technologies
• Increase in insurance claims and cost of insurance due to weather events
• Disruption to business through facilities, suppliers, employees and
customers affected by weather events
• To maintain suitable indoor temperatures, it may be necessary to make
adjustments to air conditioning and heating systems
26
Transport
• Due to seasonal weather events deterioration of highway infrastructure, i.e.
earthworks, bridges, tunnels, pavements etc.
• Disruption to transport networks
• Impact on driving conditions through flooding, driving rain, high winds or
Summer heat
• A rise in sea levels may cause berthing structures to become inoperable
• Modal shift is unpredictable, but dry summers could lead to an increase in
cycling, whilst weather induced disruption on the railway network could lead
to additional car use
Health and social care
• The healthcare system should be prepared for injuries from gale-force
winds, flooding and other extreme weather events
• Higher risk of skin cancer and cataracts
• Higher temperatures are likely to cause food poisoning
• Respiratory problems associated with air quality, traffic pollution and the sun
• Heat stress to the old, poor and vulnerable communities
• Risk of new diseases
27
NORTH TYNESIDE
How is North Tyneside Responding to Climate Change?
Are we ready for the challenge of climate change?
Do we know the extent and nature of our contribution to greenhouse gas
emissions?
Are we taking positive action to reduce those same greenhouse gas emissions?
Are we aware of the latest projections of future climate in the UK?
Are we taking positive action to reduce those risks?
Have we assessed the likely risks to North Tyneside’s operations and services
posed by changing weather patterns?
North Tyneside Council recognises the social, economic, and environmental benefits
and overall implementation of this strategy, which will strive to improve the quality
of life of residents both living and working in the borough. So how will climate
change affect North Tyneside and our region? In short, the summers are set to get
significantly warmer while the winters will get stormier and wetter. Sea levels will
rise, wind levels (and consequent damage) will increase and there will be a
pronounced increase in flood risk.
The future forecast is one of extremes. The summers could be up to 60 percent
drier while winter rainfall may rise by up to 30 percent. When it comes, the rain will
fall with greater intensity, again increasing flood risk.
These climatic shifts will threaten our natural habitats and landscape, pose significant
challenges in urban areas, have direct and immediate health impacts and will
challenge our infrastructure, from rail and road to electricity transmission networks.
A host of businesses and public sector organisations will be forced to adapt, from
chemicals or construction to tourism businesses or those charged with safeguarding
our biodiversity and natural resources. While the need for adaption becomes clear,
it is important that we remember we must still act to mitigate future changes.
Current and future emissions will lead to future adaption issues. North Tyneside
understands the inherent inequality of climate change. Those countries least able to
28
respond to the challenges are often the poorest, which have contributed least to
global emissions and are least able to put in place adaption measures.
What we can do is:
• Be aware of what is going to happen and be aware of how it will change our
lifestyles
• Do as much as we can to cut our individual carbon footprints
• Change public opinion – enough public opinion influences government and
changes behaviour
The latest report from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (the UNIPCC) indicates that a 2ºC rise in world temperatures is inevitable,
within ten years. This means it won’t just affect our children or our grandchildren –
it’s going to affect us.
THE CHALLENGE for North Tyneside
To cope with the effects of climate change we need to ensure that the following key
objectives are met: The Natural Environment
Monitor biodiversity to assess and mitigate against the impacts that climate
change may have on vulnerable species and habitats
Make provision in all plans to increase wildlife, habitat and landscape diversity
Proactively link with neighbouring regions when planning, to encourage
widespread diversity of habitats and landscape throughout the borough
Exploration of implications of climate change for the marine environment
Effects on vulnerable ecosystems of changes in temperatures and storminess
Agriculture & Forestry
Identify new breeds and crops, which will be more resilient to predicted weather
events, especially livestock breeds which are more heat and drought tolerant
Enable better informed decisions to be made by assessing the impacts of climate
change on agriculture and forestry
29
Encourage land managers to address climate change impacts by looking at the
whole picture (for instance, in the case of floods using flood management rather
than flood defence schemes)
Increase woodland cover in North Tyneside through the planting of UK tree
species
Water Resources, Flooding and Sea Levels
Encourage water saving at home and in the workplace, possibly through an
advisory body
Adopt an integrated approach to land development through greater partnership
working between democratic bodies, regulators and water companies
Create research partnership to coordinate and share research relevant to flood
defence investment
Local dune management will be needed to counter both physical effects of the
sea and winds and the trampling erosion caused by pedestrian access
Lifestyles & the Built Environment
Encourage individuals to take greater responsibility for their choices about where
they live, work and travel
Ensure that at all levels of planning and urban regeneration, greater account is
taken of the impacts of climate change
Lobby for changes in legislation that will lead to improved energy standards for
planning, building and design
Plan for the possibility that outdoor tourism attractions may experience a rise in
visitor numbers with increasing average temperatures
Plan for the possibility that car parks and toilets may be unable to cope with
increased visitors due to warmer summers
Commerce and Industry
Raise awareness among the business sector of the threats and opportunities
created by climate change and promote the region as a low-risk area for business
location
Encourage businesses to create their own climate change programmes drawing
on good practice examples
30
Encourage new manufacturing businesses to locate in North Tyneside e.g.
personal protective equipment, pumps or boats for flood responses and provide
training in their use and maintenance
Capitalise on business opportunities associated with the mitigation agenda
through its leading-edge work in renewable energy, bio-fuels, low carbon power
generation and waste and energy management
Energy Resources
Improve public awareness of energy issues through awareness raising campaigns
Increase opportunities to minimise energy usage and to obtain energy from
renewable resources
Ensure that the electricity grid network capacity will to be increased to service
summer requirements due to rising temperatures
Encourage the incorporation of renewable energy in new housing development
schemes to meet the target of carbon neutral by 2016
Create Energy Champions within our community
Health and Social Care
Introduce surveillance systems linking climate, environment and health indicators
Encourage “joined up” approaches to improving health emergency care due to
adverse weather conditions i.e. injuries and traumas suffered through a major
flood event
Promote awareness for sun safety, food safety and mental well being
Create a local framework of values and principles for a high “quality of life”
Collate information on climate change in the North East and make it accessible
to all
Plan for ongoing mental health and well being problems triggered by the
experience of extreme weather events i.e. depression
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The Precautionary Principle
Uncertainty
All projections and predictions of future climate include a degree of uncertainty. The
climate system is complex, with many different elements and feedback mechanisms,
which as yet are not fully understood.
Uncertainties about climate change include the magnitude, nature and speed of
change. For this reason not everyone accepts the conclusions of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change about the extent to which greenhouse
gas emissions (as a result of human activity) influence climate, or their predictions of
future climate, based on analysis of results, from computer-based models.
Risk
Despite the uncertainties that remain, evidence continues to mount to suggest that
climate change poses a significant threat to the environment, communities and
economies. The risk can be reduced by taking measures to adapt to changes to the
climate and also by acting collectively to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For
governments, organisations, businesses and individuals, the consequences of not
acting positively to tackle the causes and effects of climate change are potentially
very serious.
United Nations Framework on Climate Change
Article 3 of the 1992 United Nations Convention on Climate Change states: “The parties should take precautionary measures to anticipate, prevent or minimise
the causes and effects of climate change and mitigate its adverse effects. Where
there are threads of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty
should not be used as a reason for postponing such measures, taking into account
that policies and measures to deal with climate change should be cost effective so as
to ensure global benefits at the lowest possible cost”
32
CARBON FOOTPRINT
How can you reduce your carbon footprint?
Your Carbon Footprint
Carbon dioxide emissions are caused in part as a direct consequence of our
everyday activities. The following all result in CO2 being emitted into the
atmosphere: • Burning fuel to heat our homes
• Using electricity to power our lights and appliances
• Using fuel to power our vehicles
The total amount of CO2 generated by these activities is normally measured in
tonnes
On average, each household in the UK produces about 10 tonnes of carbon dioxide
every year
We also contribute CO2 to the atmosphere indirectly through the manufacture,
distribution and disposal of the products we consume, including food
The CO2 produced as a result of an individual, a household or an organisation is
sometimes referred to as a “carbon footprint”
Our footprints add up. The UK as a whole emitted 554 million tonnes of carbon
dioxide in 2005. If we all tread lightly and minimise our footprints, our collective
impact on the environment will be significantly reduced. In this way, we can all
contribute to tackling climate change
33
How to calculate your carbon footprint
You can now work out how big your carbon footprint is by using the Government’s
Act On CO2 calculator at www.direct.gov.uk/ActOnCO2 The calculator focuses
on the three most significant areas where our actions lead directly to CO2 emissions:
• Household heating, hot water and lighting
• Appliances and gadgets
• Personal transport
The calculator will ask you for information about each of these areas and you will
then work out your individual and/or household footprints. It also gives a
personalised action plan to help you reduce your carbon footprint.
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Tackling Causes and Effect of Climate Change
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
“Mitigation”
Adapting to a Changing Climate
“Adaptation”
Carbon dioxide is one of the main greenhouse gases
The UK Climate Change Programme have published
emitted by human activity (primarily through the
guidance “Climate adaption: Risk uncertainty and
burning of fossil fuel for energy). The following
decision-making” (UKIP 2003), to help organizations
measures can all help to reduce the emissions of carbon
assess the risks posed by climate change. The report
dioxide: -
outlines a series of different adaption strategies:
• Improving energy efficiency
Share loss – insure businesses against weather losses
• Using renewable energy
Bear loss – accept loss of some coastal areas to sea
• Reducing transport emissions (cleaner fuels,
level
changing modes of transport and reducing
Structural or technological change – strengthen
the need to travel)
building foundations to cope with increased subsidence
risk
Other greenhouse gases include methane, nitrous
Legislation or institutional change – strengthen
oxide, hydrocarbons and perfluorocarbons. Measures
planning guidance on developments in flood risk areas
to help reduce emissions of these gases include: -
Avoid risk – grow new agricultural crops better suited
• Reducing biodegradable waste going to
landfill (reduces methane emissions)
• Improving industrial processes and emissions
controls
In addition to reducing human contribution to climate
change, measures to tackle emissions of greenhouse
gases usually bring other direct environmental benefits,
e.g. improved resource efficiency, reduced air pollution
etc.
to new climate
Research – use researcher to better understand the
climate risk
Education – increase public awareness about coping
with flooding at home
The North East’s key adaptation plan to climate change
includes: Flooding – increased frequency of flooding from river,
coastal and surface water
Biodiversity – increased pressure on important
habitats
Coastal erosion – particularly as sea levels rise
35
NATIONAL INDICATOR SET
for Local Authorities and Local Authority Partnerships
The new National Indicator Set came into operation on 1st April 2008.The indicators are designed to measure progress on
national priorities where local councils acting alone or in partnership deliver them. Councils have to select up to 35 designated
targets from the list of 198 indicators for their Local Area Agreements. Some of the examples are:
NI
185
Percentage CO2
reductions from
Local Authority
operations
NI
186
Per capita CO2
emissions in the
Local Authority area
NI
187
Tackling fuel poverty
- % of people
receiving income
based benefits living
in homes with a low
and high energy
efficient rating
Planning to adapt to
climate change
NI
188
NI
189
Flood and coastal
erosion risk
management
NI
194
Air quality – local
area management
NI
197
Improved local
biodiversity –
proportion of local
sites where active
conservation
management is being
achieved
The aim of this indicator is to measure the progress of local
authorities in reducing CO2 emissions from relevant buildings and
transport used to deliver their functions and to encourage them to
demonstrate leadership on tackling climate change.
Measurement against this indicator requires each local authority to
calculate its CO2 emissions from analysis of the energy and fuel use
including outsourced services.
Action by local authorities will be critical to the achievement of the
government’s climate change objectives. This indicator relies on
centrally produced statistics to measure end user CO2 emissions in
the local area from: • Business and public sector • Domestic housing • Road
transport
This data is already captured and analysed to produce area-by-area
carbon emissions per capita. The percentage reduction will be
reported annually.
This indicator has been designed to measure the proportion of
households on income related benefits for whom an energy
assessment of their housing has been carried out ensuring that energy
efficiency is tackled in the most energy inefficient households.
Progress is monitored through annual reports.
Currently calculating
09/10 figures
The aim of this indicator is to embed the management of climate risks
and opportunities across all levels of services, plans and estates. It is a
process indicator, which gauges progress of a local area to develop an
adaption strategy and action plan setting out the risk assessment.
The aim of this indicator is to record the progress of local authorities
in delivering agreed actions to implement long term flood and coastal
erosion risk management plans, which are shoreline management
plans and catchment flood management plans. Led by the Environment
Agency.
This indicator is about ensuring that local authorities are proactive in
minimising air pollution emissions, i.e. NO2 (nitrous oxide) and
primary PM10 (particulate emissions) through local authority’s estate
and operations. Defra has developed a tool to be used by local
authorities in calculating these emissions.
The challenge for biodiversity is that it does not respect boundaries,
and it is often difficult to attribute specific outcomes to one
organisation or activity. Actions are as followed:
• All local sites in each authority will be assessed and not
those just owned by the local authorities
• The indicator will assess the percentage of the total number of local
sites under positive conservation management
• Good performance, taking into account the variation in the number
of local sites in each authority area, will be indicated by a year on year
increase.
Met year 2 target of
level 2
36
Achieved year 2
target (8% reduction
against 2005 baseline)
a) Top quartile
b) 2nd top quartile
Currently calculating
09/10 figures
Currently calculating
09/10 figures
64% achieved out of
a target of 65%based
on 18 out of 28 sites
being positively
managed
Climate Change Strategy Carbon Reduction Action Plan
Examples of Key Deliverables
There is an increasing expectation by government for local authorities to take a
pivotal role in achieving local and national carbon reduction targets. The North
Tyneside Climate Change Strategy therefore addresses: The science behind climate change
Local, global, regional and National perspectives of the impacts of climate change
Causes and effects – reducing greenhouse gases (Mitigation) and adapting to
climate change (Adaptation)
The challenges for North Tyneside
The National Indicator set
Simple tips for residents to save money and carbon
Carbon Reduction Action Plan
This action plan sets out activity to develop and enhance the role of energy usage,
carbon reduction and carbon management. It offers a structured approach focusing
on actions for carbon dioxide savings in the areas of:
Council Buildings and Local
Planning and new Developments
Infrastructure
Transport and Infrastructure
Waste
Procurement
Schools
The action plan primarily comments on carbon reduction, aligning all current carbon
plans together into one comprehensive action plan. For example: Sustainable Development Strategy
Carbon Management Strategy
1-2-1 Energy Saving Trust Local Area Carbon Emissions Report
Covenant of Mayors Low Carbon Region Project
37
Council Buildings and Local Infrastructure
Objectives
Undertake environmental
improvements and increase
resilience throughout Council
operations
Actions to Reduce
Carbon Emissions
Implement carbon
saving projects
identified from the
Carbon Management
Strategy
Delivery Partners
Monitor energy efficiency
savings as a result of energy
and water efficiency measures
Display energy and water
saving notices in all Council
owned buildings at key energy
use (light switches, kitchens,
toilets and reception etc)
Appoint Environmental
champions for each of the
Council buildings
Set high corporate energy
efficiency and environmental
standards for any new council
buildings to maximise longterm savings on utility account
7% energy and
carbon emissions
year on year
reduction target
by 2015
Carry out energy
audits and pilot
studies
Using Carbon Trust
posters and stickers
to implement actions
All heads of
Service
Carbon
Management
Programme
Board
Carbon
Management
Team
Energy
Technician
All Council
employees and
contractors
To achieve our carbon saving
target s of a 34% reduction by
2015
Sustainable
Development
Unit
Schools
Establish procedures
to enact objective
Volunteered
members of staff
Discuss the use of
renewable energy
systems as part of new
build at council-owned
or controlled sites and
buildings wherever
possible
Sustainable
Development
Manager Energy
Saving Trust
Home Energy
Conservation
Officer Assistant
Planning Manager
38
Outcomes
Publish results of savings as a
result of demonstration projects
Behavioural change
Reduction in energy and
water usage
An instrument to save energy
usage and to influence
behavioural change
The Borough of North
Tyneside
seen to lead by example with
low
energy, environmentally
acceptable
buildings
Good corporate social
responsibility
Planning and New Developments
Objectives
Encourage LDF to set a
minimum target of 10 per cent
energy use from on-site
renewable technology in all new
development in line with NE
Regional / Spatial Strategies
Encourage LDF to require new
developments, particularly
major retail, commercial and
residential, to have embedded
within them a minimum of 10
per cent energy supply from
renewable sources
New developments to include
improvements to walking,
cycling and public transport
infrastructure, wherever
proportionate
Actions to Reduce
Carbon Emissions
Planners to take this
issues forward via the
Local Development
Framework
Delivery
Partners
Assistant
Planning
Manager
Outcomes
That new developments
are accessible by a range
of modes of transport
and, if applicable,
mitigate the impacts of
new developments on
the transport network
39
Assistant
Planning
Manager
Assistant
Manager Traffic
& Development
Transportation
Team
New developments will
employ renewable
technologies to meet
statutory requirements
Creation of sustainable
employment
The creation of Sustainable
Communities
Adoption of Local
Development Document
LDD14 on Parking & Travel
Plans (see below)
Support use of physically
active modes of travel leading
to improved health
Transport and infrastructure
Objectives
Apply to the Energy Saving
Trust for a Green Fleet
Review
Actions to Reduce
Carbon Emissions
Identify fleet
utilisation and how
vehicle emissions can
be reduced
Implement the report
Promote the scheme
to local businesses
Delivery Partners
Outcomes
Fleet Manager
Energy Saving
Trust
Replace civic vehicles
Encourage staff to use more
efficient vehicles for work
and consider prohibiting high
polluting vehicles (offering
pool vehicles instead)
Procure with lower
carbon or hybrid models
at the end of current
contracts
Investigate the legalities
and practicalities of
enacting the objective
To work with trade unions to Use more efficient
revise financial incentives
vehicles for work and
around grey fleet
consider prohibiting high
polluting vehicles
(offering pool vehicles
instead)
Reduce CO2 emissions from
Promote and set up
Council fleet
efficient driving and low
carbon car choice
Convene a local forum to
discuss transport issues
across the locality
Local Strategic Partners
should set targets to
reduce car dependency
and transport emissions
across the locality
40
Reduce fleet’s carbon
footprint.
Vehicle allocation policy
Fuel economy
Mileage reimbursement
policy
Driver education
Reduced mileage - journey
planning, satellite navigation
Health and safety and Duty of
Care issues
Corporate responsibility
Low carbon technology
Fleet Manager
Fleet Manager
Trade Union side
Legal
Reduction in carbon savings
Smarter driving
Culture change
Incentivise employees with
energy efficient cars
Fleet Manager
Smarter driving
Carbon and fuel savings
Local Strategic
Partners
Transportation
Team
Buy-in from local partners
Carbon savings
Well planned services can
help in achieving wider
objectives, e.g. stronger and
safer communities, healthier
children and young people,
sustainability and better local
economies
Waste
Objectives
Review and explore the
approaches to tackling waste
from local commercial
businesses
Work with supermarkets and
fast food outlets to reduce
the use of plastic bags and
containers
Develop an infrastructure to
reduce waste miles and
maximise recycling rates
To become self-sufficient in
waste minimisation
technologies
Actions to Reduce
Carbon Emissions
Support and advise
businesses on effective
waste reduction and
management and explore
new ways to reduce the
impacts of business
waste
Establish working
relationship with shared
objectives
Seek planning guidance
for materials recovery
facilities
Identify local areas of under
performance of Council and
borough-wide domestic
recycling collections and
reasons why
Investigate the
integration of waste
minimisation
strategies, material
reclamation facilities,
and anaerobic
digestion
technologies with
combined heating
and power
Assess the feasibility
and sustainability of
establishing kitchen
waste collections
Develop a campaign
amongst all
employees of the
need to minimise
office waste
Develop a campaign
amongst all residents
of the need to
minimise office
waste
41
Delivery Partners
Outcomes
Waste Manager
Business
Development
Officer
Waste Manager
Communications
and Events
Officer
Waste Manager
Assistant Planning
Manager
Asset Manager
Waste Manager
Environment
Agency
Reduce the need for landfill
Cleaner environment and
less non biodegradable
plastic
Become self-sufficient in waste
minimisation technologies and
waste minimisation
Waste Manager
Communications
and Events
Officer
Reduce our carbon footprint
Assist businesses in
incorporating recycling
practices into their own
businesses
Monetary efficiencies as well
as increasing recycling
targets
Reducing the need for landfill
Energy efficiency savings
Reduction in CO2 emissions
Maximise recycling
Reduce local area carbon
emissions
Procurement
Objectives
Produce a Sustainable
Procurement Strategy
Ensure future climate is
considered when selecting
products and services,
including minimum energy
ratings for the procurement
of electrical equipment
(inclusive of light fittings) etc.
Actions to Reduce
Carbon Emissions
Include reference to
climate change and other
environmental
strategies/policies
Establish pages on the
Sustainable Development
Intranet and Internet to
highlight “green” products
and services
Delivery Partners
Outcomes
Corporate
Procurement
Team
Sustainable
Development
Unit
Corporate
Procurement
Team
Sustainable
Development
Unit
Include in tender evaluation
environmental criteria to
encourage a “step change” in
working practices
Goods and services
tenders to include
environmental and
sustainable criteria
Establish a “green database”
of preferred environmental
good practice standards
To include: Request details of
environmental
credentials e.g.
ISO14001/9000
Corporate social
responsibility policy
Whole life costing
Use of recycled or
reused materials
Feasibility study by
March 2011
Implementation by
2012
Research and document the
feasibility for the use of local
procurement
Adopt a target of purchasing
the Council’s energy
requirements from renewable
sources
10% by March 2011
42
Corporate
Procurement
Team
Sustainable
Development
Unit
Corporate
Procurement
Team
Sustainable
Development
Unit
Corporate
Procurement
Team
Sustainable
Development
Unit
Corporate
Procurement
Team
North East
Purchasing
Organisation
To minimise the
environmental impacts and
contributing to reducing
CO2 emissions
Good corporate
responsibility
A reduction in “product
miles”
To minimise the
environmental impacts and
contributing to reducing
CO2 emissions
Good corporate
responsibility
The procurement of climate
resilient goods and services
The adoption of more
environmentally sustainable
goods
Good corporate
responsibility
“Cradle to Grave” scenario
will ensure that sustainability
is at the heart of
procurement methods
To assist the local economy
Use of local businesses to
reduce CO2 emissions
Good corporate
responsibility
Reduction in CO2 emissions
Schools
Objectives
Work with partner
organisations to provide
education / training on energy
efficiency measures for all our
schools
Provide curriculum based
climate change education for
all schools
Promote and support the Eco
School Programme within
North Tyneside
Actions to Reduce
Carbon Emissions
Energy reduction
campaigns
Newsletters –
providing energy
advice and tips
Energy audits
Whole school
assemblies to raise
awareness of energy
Local participation in
local and national
campaigns
Encourage schools to
sign up to the Eco
School Programme
Work with schools to
help tackle energy as
part of project work
Develop and maintain contact
with school councils to
ensure energy monitors or
champions are appointed
Pilot SEEP with 2 schools
to establish potential
carbon savings and energy
reductions
Ensure that the all school
buildings display their Energy
Certificate in a prominent
position
On-going
Promote environmental
initiatives taking place within
North Tyneside schools
Pilot the School Energy
Engagement Plan with 2
schools to establish the
potential carbon savings
and energy reductions
Delivery Partners
School
Improvem’t
Services
Sustainable
Dev Unit
43
Sustainable
Dev Unit
Energy Saving
Trust
Warmzone
Northumbria
Water
Carbon Trust
Newcastle
University
Outcomes
Sustainable
Dev Unit
Schools in
North
Tyneside
Energy
Technician
Sustainable
Dev Unit
Sustainable
Dev Unit
Schools in
North
Tyneside
Children can influence
adults and the community to
make lifestyle changes
necessary to reduce CO2
Schools will become more
energy efficient
Good quality data
90% of our schools will be
registered on the Eco
School Programme
8 schools will achieve Green
Flag Status by 2011
Schools Demonstrating a
10% energy saving will be
awarded an Act on CO2
award from September 10
10% reduction in energy use
Implementation of a school
energy policy
Roll our programme to
further 10 schools by2011
Raise awareness of schools
energy consumption
Display Energy Certificates
to be used as a benchmark
to evidence energy
reductions
10% reduction in energy use
Implementation of a school
energy policy
Roll our programme to
further 10 schools by2011
Source - Carbon Management Strategy
Project
Quadrant UPS
Lamp conversion at the
Parks
Install dehumidification
system - Tynemouth Pool
Speed Restriction to Waste
& Gritter Vehicles (HGV's)
Decommissioning of surplus
Council Properties.
Lakeside - Voltage
Optimisation
Quadrant Energy
Management
Quadrant IT Server Room
Install heat recovery
Staff Energy Awareness
Training
Virtualisation thin
computers
IT Management Software Power Management
Awareness campaign in First
& Primary Schools 100%
Cost
Annual Saving
Year of
first
Energy
Savings
(full
year)
2010
Capital
Lead (£)
GW 17,36
(£)
0
Financial CO2
(£)
(tonnes)
19557
123.6
Financial
pay back
period Target
(years) (34%)
0.9
1.14
RD
10478
0
4222
26.7
2.5
0.25
2010
PY
60000
0
42163
222.8
1.4
2.06
2010
SH
500
0
30006
68.6
0.0
0.63
2010
JR
0
0
290237
1708.5
0.0
15.81
2014
PY
25000
0
6673
42.2
3.7
0.39
2011
GW 5000
GW /
KA 0
£0
19087
114.8
0.3
1.06
2010
0
7036
44.5
0.0
0.41
2010
GW 15200
0
17500
92.5
0.9
0.86
2011
PN
3400
0
26864
161.6
0.1
1.50
2011
BJ
BJ /
KA
0
0
24613
155.5
0.0
1.44
2010
16800
0
20188
127.5
0.8
1.18
2011
PN
0
0
25818
163.1
0.0
1.51
2011
44
Source - Local Area Carbon Reduction Project Recommendations
NI
Energy Saving Trust
185
186
187
Adopting a strategic approach
It is recommended that the Council adopt a strategic approach that cuts across all aspects of estate
management, service delivery and community leadership, with sustainable energy recognised as a priority.
This would be best recognised by linking activity to NI185 and 186 primarily, but also NI187 and NI188
185
186
187
Data and information
Ensure that a cross-council system is in place for gathering data relating to sustainable energy (including
energy use in the council’s estate, the energy efficiency of public and private sector housing stock, planning
applications relating to the use of renewables etc)
185
Make a carbon neutral commitment
North Tyneside Council should consider making a commitment to becoming a carbon neutral
organisation by a particular date (as per the Government’s own pledge, see above)
185
186
187
Cross service climate change group
The Council should establish a cross-service energy/climate change group with significant resources and
clear corporate support for action. This group should meet regularly, include senior representatives and
have a work plan against which progress is monitored. There should also be a system for ensuring that
information is cascaded down to the relevant officers
185
Decision making
The Council should include a climate change impact assessment for all major projects/decisions at
committee level
185
186
Green fleet review
The Council should apply to the Energy Saving Trust for a Green Fleet Review or vehicle carbon footprinting service which are offered free of charge to any organisation with more than 50 vehicles (including
leased vehicles)
185
186
Ensure sustainable procurement policies are in place
The Council should introduce procurement policies that ensure sustainable energy is maximised, including
introducing:
High-energy efficiency standards in the procurement of electrical goods for example energy
saving recommended certified products.
High-energy standards for existing and new council buildings for example BREEAM ‘Very Good’
or ‘Excellent’.
A policy of procuring local items where possible and items manufactured with minimal energy
usage and environmental impact.
A policy of buying green electricity
Ensure building control officers promote sustainable energy
The Council should ensure that building control officers are trained and encouraged to promote
sustainable energy to all those applying for building control approval
* NI National Indicators
45
Source - Covenant of Mayors Low Carbon Region Project
Overall C02 Emission reduction
North Tyneside Council seeks to accelerate the carbon reduction process and to
make North Tyneside a low carbon economy that has adapted well to the impact of
climate change. This vision is embedded and evidenced within the North Tyneside
Climate Change Strategy, which is - “North Tyneside recognises its obligations to
minimise contributions towards climate change by identifying and acting upon opportunities
to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. The council also acknowledges that previous global
greenhouse gas emissions have and will continue to expose us to a level of climate change
that we need to mitigate and adapt to, so that any detrimental social, economic and
environmental consequences can be minimised”.
Sector - Industries
Action
Costs £m
Energy saving
(MWh)
20% commercial gas usage by
behavioural change
10% commercial electricity
usage by behavioural change
Unquantified
Unquantified
225,491
C02
reduction
(ktpa)
48
39,333
20
Action
Costs £m
Energy saving
(litres)
CO2
reduction
(ktpa)
2010 - 2020
4% reduction in fuel use from
behavioural change
Vehicle transport efficiency
improvement
Replace 10% of fuel with bio
fuel
Electric vehicle fuel
displacement
Unquantified
Unquantified
Unquantified
Unquantified
4,631,368
11.536
13,968,724
34.793
9,529,000
11.99
3,529,000
3.564
Sector - Transport
46
Residential Buildings
Action
Costs £m
Energy saving
(MWh)
C02
reduction
(ktpa)
2005 - 2010
Cavity Wall Insulation
Loft Insulation
Double Glazing Units
1.52
1.69
60
12,000
10,000
50,000
2.08
2.42
11.55
2010 - 2020
Cavity Wall Insulation
Loft Insulation
Double Glazing Units
Solar Thermal
Solar PV
2.2
0.593
20
1.26
1.26
18,000
4,000
6,000
7264
Minimal
(demonstrator
project)
183,000
3.635
0.578
2.58
1.55
0.21
72,093
36
Domestic gas reduction by
Unknown
behavioural change
Domestic electricity reduction Unknown
by behavioural change
39
Sector - Other
Action
Costs £m
Energy saving
(litres)
CO2
reduction
(ktpa)
2010 - 2020
Decarbonisation of the
national grid
N/A
67
67
47