Minutes of Meeting - Wednesday 19 March 2014
at 10.00am, Aberdeen Town House
Present: Bill Slee – BS (chair) (James Hutton Institute), Cllr Jean Morrison – JM (Aberdeen City
Council), Tony Craig (James Hutton Institute), Ian Carstairs - IC (Scottish Enterprise), Gavin Clark –
GC (SNH), Barry Simons - BSi (Aberdeenshire Council), Fraser Lovie – FL (University of Aberdeen),
Rachel Fairfax – RF (SFR), Alison Leslie – AL, Sinclair Laing – SL (Aberdeen City Council)
Apologies Cllr Martin Ford, Belinda Miller, Eric Wells (Aberdeenshire Council), Ian Carstairs (Scottish
Enterprise), Liz Dinnie (James Hutton Institute), Alan Owen and Nia Garriati (RGU), Emma Gordon
(Moray Council), Andy Willox (FSB), Lorna Patterson (NFUS), Alastair Graham, Alan Cormack (Police
Scotland), George Baxter (SSE), Gavin Miles (Cairngorm National Park Authority), Ian Cowe (Forestry
Commission), Rachel Elliot (AGCC), Donald Boyd (Huntly Development Trust)
Minutes
1.
Presentation – The Economics of Low Carbon Cities, the Scottish Cities
Alliance, Mini Stern Reviews – Sinclair Laing (SL)
The Mini Stern Review is a project covering all 7 Scottish cities, initiated by the
Scottish Cities Alliance - http://scottishcities.wordpress.com/ Part of their remit
to drive Sustainable Economic Growth is to consider actions under a range of
topics including “Sustainable Cities”.
The Mini Stern Review will produce localised examples along the lines of the
original Stern report, on the impacts and opportunities of climate change in
economic terms. Aberdeen collaborated on the brief and procurement and a
consultant is on board to take this work forward. This will be broken down to 3
stages – (i) a Scottish wide desk based review (to mid April) – looking at
common activities and issues relating to carbon, energy, renewables, and
identifying key stakeholders. It will also consider adaptation measures and
implications moving forward. (ii) economic baselines, climate risk analyses and
costed mitigation and adaptation recommendations (to mid August) – this will be
bespoke for each city/ working up methodology and proposals. (iii) a summary
of key findings, issues, activities and recommendations for Scottish wide
collaborative project(s). The project will consider the impact of climate change
and the areas the local authority has an influence in. Different projects will be
recommended for each city (around 3 per city) and a report produced for each
city in September 2014.
The process will involve face to face meetings in each city and the NESCCP will
be informed when these are taking place. BS suggested NESCCP could
provide input and perhaps act as a critical friend. Input from oil and gas sector
welcomed – TC has contact. AREG may also have relevant information.
NESCCP members may have useful information they can feed into the review
process, on: carbon / climate / renewables related strategies / policies /
programmes / plans / activities / etc. Please pass these to SL –
[email protected]
SL agreed to provide an update on the Mini Stern progress at the next NESCCP
meeting.
2.
Apologies as above.
3.
The minutes of the meeting 19 March 2014 were agreed as accurate.
4.
Matters Arising:
Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) – update provided under
Aberdeenshire Council partner updates.
Climate Ready Scotland: Draft Scottish Government Climate Change
Adaptation Programme. NESCCP partners to be informed when the final
Climate Change Adaptation Programme is approved by Scottish Government.
Climate Challenge Fund Update - Following the Climate Challenge Fund
Workshop held in Aberdeen on the 3 December, a list of currently funded
Climate Challenge Fund projects was sent out to the NESCCP.
Securing our Future Film – link to film was sent out to NESCCP.
5.
AL to send
out info to
ALL when
programme
approved
Election of the NESCCP Chair
Cllr Jean Morrison was elected as chair of the NESCCP for 2014/15. BS
proposed and TC seconded. Fraser Lovie was re-elected as Vice Chair of the
NESCCP. JM proposed recognising the contribution of FL perceptions, insights
and continuity and BS seconded.
JM gave a vote of thanks to BS for his valued contribution in the role of the
NESCCP Chair
Agreed JM will hold a planning meeting with a few members of the NESCCP to
discuss the next phase of the partnership before the next quarterly in July.
6.
NESCCP and the Sustainable Aberdeen Implementation Group (SAIG)
SAIG is a working group formed to take forward the Sustainable Aberdeen
project output which came out of the EU part funded MUSIC project. FL is a
member of the SAIG group and raised a suggestion that came out of a previous
SAIG meeting that because of the overlap and similarities between the two
groups there is the opportunity for the NESCCP to absorb the work of the
project. This was presented for discussion and all agreed to take away thoughts
and consider the impacts. Discussion included:
- The Sustainable Aberdeen output includes a call for a regional approach
and the EU tend to look at city regions.
- Both groups have limitations. Is the NESCCP best placed to absorb this
role and drive forward in existing format and with existing resources?
- A way forward may be for the NESCCP to act a core with local satellite
projects, such as the MUSIC project around it. Merit in doing this if
NESCCP could take on a stronger profile – sustainability arm of ACSEF
or similar or act as a body promoting climate change and/ or wider
sustainability in NE. If Sustainable Cities is one of the 4 themes under
the City Alliance why is there not an equivalent regional body of
influence?
- Agreed that taking on a wider sustainability remit over and above climate
change may take the NESCCP away from core objectives.
- Should the NESCCP be a hub for knowledge transfer, rather than taking
projects forward.
- The Fuel Poverty Group which has a range of partners and a business
support arm may be a model example. Or the Dee Catchment Group
- Agreed the need to have a workshop session and set NESCCP priorities
for the year.
- Attendance levels of partners has indicated uncertainty about the
NESCCP in current format. Discussion on how to elevate the group to
decision makers.
- The NESCCP may be able to go further if it had status conferred on it by
Scottish Government or similar.
AL to
organise
meeting for
late April
JM to pick up issue of role of NESCCP as incoming Chair and will hold a
planning meeting with a few members of the NESCCP to discuss the next
phase of the partnership before the next quarterly in July.
7.
AL organise
meeting for
late April
Case studies
Develop
case study
templates
ALL to
suggest
RF mentioned the Fire Service would benefit from this info and seeing the case
potential
study examples of other organisations. Taking on new projects are less risks for
organisation
other organisations if they can benefit from the learning experience of others
measure in
who have already carried out this work.
emission
NESCCP to create a clear case study template and each organisation to
reduction or
suggest suitable case study projects projects. SNH suggested projects including adaptation
the peatland restoration, micro wind on nature reserves, work with GPS trackers that could
on poll cars.
be used as
examples.
A case study on the North East of Scotland Shared Data Centre developed by
the University of Aberdeen and partners was circulated. FL informed that
following on from this work a smaller secondary project was being taken
forward.
8.
Updates from Partners
Aberdeenshire Council
−
Aberdeenshire Council is still prioritising getting its own house in order
after reviewing its climate change work, in particular in respect of carbon
management. Priority projects are now being identified by Services and
these will form the basis of a prioritised action plan. The Council
approved a new CO2 reduction target of 44% by 2020 from a 10/11
baseline in November. Projects are now being prioritised and will be
worked up for senior officer and committee approval, including possible
utilisation of landfill gas.
− All local authority parties involved in the North East Sustainable Energy
Action Plan met recently and are committed to this important
collaborative project. The group was joined by Bill Slee and by May East
from CIFAL by teleconference. The CNPA confirmed their commitment
by telephone after the meeting. Barry to meet with Murray Ferguson
from Cairngorms NPA on 10th April.
− BSi and BM had a very constructive teleconference with Derek
McCrindle from SE about alignment of the SEAP with SEs early work on
low carbon energy master planning and the possibility of SE funding the
creation of the plan. Derek is consulting with colleagues.
− Developing an appraisal/impact assessment for Council reports to meet
Climate Change Act Public Bodies Duties.
James Hutton Institute
− Progress is still underway with the TESS (Towards European Societal
Sustainability) and GLAMURS (Green Lifestyles, Alternative Models and
Up-scaling Regional Sustainability) projects. GLAMURS is looking at a
regional approach to sustainability initiatives with an initial focus on car
commuting. Energy and food are other potential possibilities.
− The “Sustainable at Hutton” project is examining the footprint of the
organisation and is looking at travel, energy etc.
− As a side shoot will also look at software monitoring computer usage and
there is a potential for a mini project around monitoring and computer
usage.
University of Aberdeen
− The installation of solar panels is taking place at Hillhead student
accommodation and looking at suitable buildings to extend this.
− Planning is progressing on the passive house nursery.
− Prospect for 2 x biomass projects at Old Aberdeen and Hillhead.
Potentially attaching one to the CHP plant.
− The student Climate Challenge Fund project is working with local
charities and looking to engage other charity groups/ organisations. If
NESCCP think others will benefit send any details to FL who will pass on.
Scottish Fire & Rescue Service
− This will be the last meeting for RF who will be leaving the Fire Service to
go to industry. BS thanked RF for her ongoing commitment to the
NESCCP.
− RF informed the group of relevant future SFRS contacts: Alex Lane,
Head of Properties will have day to day responsibilities for environment
and climate changed, centrally based. Stephen Davies is responsible for
the North SDA (Perth to Highlands and Islands). For operational matters
dealing with floods, wildland fires etc the contact is Group Manager Garry
Burnett
− RF underlined the significance impact of climate change for the Fire and
Rescue Service, key issues include; more risk of fires in homes where
there is fuel poverty and an increased risk of wildfires.
9.
Aberdeen City Council
− Participating in Earth Hour 2014 a global switch off of lights for climate
change over the weekend 29 March. Floodlights at Marischal College and
several city landmarks will be switched off.
− On street food waste recycling bins have now been installed in Torry,
Rosemount, Ferryhill and parts of the city centre.
− An online energy game, aimed at primary five to seven pupils has been
launched. The game was developed as part of the MUSIC project.
www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/energycity
− The Council is implementing Smarter Working, a programme of flexible
working format for office based staff over the coming months.
− 4 high-rise blocks of flats in the Cairncry area of Aberdeen will benefit
from rainscreen over-cladding to keep rain out and boost thermal
insulation.
− A conference, “Sustainable Transport and the EU: Developing Scotland's
Approach”, was held in Aberdeen in February. The event discussed
ongoing sustainable transport projects in Scotland, including the
Aberdeen Hydrogen Bus project.
− ACC participated in Climate Week 2014, on 3-7 March with a book swap
in the foyer of Marischal College - open to staff and the public.
− A draft copy of Aberdeen’s Local Climate Impact Profile document has
been produced – this examines the weather impacts on council services
over a 5 year period.
− Aberdeen is helping SMEs access better broadband through the Digital
Connection Voucher Scheme.
st
− The 1 session to review and revamp the ACC Carbon Management Plan
was held with a consultant appointed through Resource Efficient
Scotland. The current CMP has a 23% CO2 reduction target by 2015
and a target of a 42% reduction by 2020.
Date and Venue for next meeting:
3 July 2014 10:00 – 12:00 Aberdeenshire Council
Conference Room F 2nd Floor, at Woodhill House.
ALL to
forward
relevant
info to FL