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Ealing Borough Climate Change Strategy 2008-2011 TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword .......................................................................................................... 1 Executive Summary ......................................................................................... 2 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 3 Aims and Objectives ........................................................................................ 4 Governance and Performance Management Framework ................................ 4 Statement of Community Involvement ............................................................. 6 Theme 1: Energy ............................................................................................. 7 Theme 2: Waste............................................................................................. 10 Theme 3: Transport ....................................................................................... 12 Theme 4: Resource Use ................................................................................ 14 Theme 5: Adaptation ...................................................................................... 16 Glossary ......................................................................................................... 17 References..................................................................................................... 20 Appendix 1: Action Plan ................................................................................. 21 Appendix 2: Performance Indicators and Targets .......................................... 26 Appendix 3: Climate Change Explained ......................................................... 31 Please note that Ealing’s carbon dioxide emissions mentioned throughout the strategy are now out of date. Revised 2005 data and new 2006 was released on 18th September 2008, after Cabinet approval of this strategy. See http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/localgovindicators/ni186.htm Foreword Welcome to Ealing’s first borough-wide Climate Change Strategy. It has been developed by the Environment and Climate Change Board; and is a demonstration of the Local Strategic Partnership’s commitment to reducing the borough’s contribution to climate change over the three-year period 2008 to 2011. Affects of climate change are already apparent, and it is predicted that as a result of climate change there will be warmer and wetter winters, hotter and drier summers and more frequent extreme weather events. With the enormity of this problem, action must also take place at the local level as well as the global and national level. This is not work which we can do in isolation: as well as environmental, there are economic, social and health consequences to climate change; and meeting these challenges requires a coordinated approach involving many individuals, groups and institutions. This strategy co-ordinates a range of priorities into an over-arching document that sets out how we plan to work in partnership to reduce the borough’s carbon dioxide emissions. It builds on existing activities and policies, and highlights work going on across the borough to address both the causes and the consequences of climate change. With new issues and opportunities emerging daily this strategy will need to be reviewed regularly, and updated in 2011. Councillor Susan Emment Chair of the Environment and Climate Change Board Portfolio holder for Environment and Street Services September 2008 1 Executive Summary In 2005, Ealing’s end user carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were 1717 kilotonnes, which is equivalent to 5.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per capita (King et al 2007). This first Climate Change Strategy sets the strategic direction of what Ealing’s Local Strategic Partnership (LSP), Partnership for Ealing, intends to do to reduce Ealing’s contribution to climate change. The United Kingdom is the world’s eight largest emitter of carbon dioxide emissions, with London being responsible for eight per cent of these emissions (Greater London Authority 2007). The Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) released figures for carbon dioxide emissions by sector in Ealing for 2005: Ealing’s CO2 emissions 2005 Sector CO2 emissions (kt CO2) Industry and commercial 636 Domestic 657 Road Transport 424 TOTAL 1717 CO2 emissions (%) 37% 38% 25% 100% Source: King et al 2007 This strategy aims to reduce Ealing borough’s contribution to climate change with a target to achieve a 10 per cent reduction in per capita carbon dioxide emissions by 2010/11 from a 2005 baseline. The strategy’s target and timeline is consistent with the new Local Area Agreement (LAA) to help provide the strategic direction to the LSP for helping to achieve this target. The LSP acknowledges that this strategy does not address everything in relation to climate change but it does seek to address issues around five key themes: energy, transport, waste, resource use and adaptation. Objectives and actions have been set around each of these themes. Progress and actions will be monitored regularly by the second tier partnership, Environment and Climate Change to ensure the LSP is on track to meeting its target. Delivering on the actions (see Appendix 1) will be the joint responsibility of all partners represented on the LSP. Therefore it is essential that the partnership work in collaboration, with each other and the community, to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions of the borough. With mitigation an immediate priority for the LSP, as reflected by the LAA, the key activity areas for the LSP are: Minimising waste and increasing recycling; Reducing the energy consumption and improving the energy efficiency of LSP properties and encouraging the domestic, voluntary and community, and commercial sectors to do the same; Building climate change principles into policies and contracts; Using resources more efficiently through sustainable procurement practices; and Communication campaigns with LSP staff, local businesses, residents, and community and voluntary groups to raise awareness and educate on climate change, its implications and what they can do to help tackle climate change. Realistically, the LSP can only have limited influence on emissions; action by all those who live and work in Ealing is essential for tackling climate change. However, there are many important areas that the LSP can influence and the action plan reflects this. 2 Introduction There is overwhelming scientific evidence that climate change is happening and that human activity is causing it. Climate change is a global challenge but will have local impacts and thus needs to be tackled from all levels. The Stern Review, published in 2006, estimates that the cost of inaction to be up 20 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) per year, whereas in contrast the costs of action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions can be limited to around one per cent of global GDP each year (Stern 2006). Therefore, the benefits of strong and early action far outweigh the economic costs of not acting. People have become more aware about the links between their everyday behaviour and the climate. With the United Kingdom economy at risk of recession and the cost of essentials such as petrol, energy and food increasing, changing your everyday behaviour will not only help the environment but also could save you money. Tackling climate change can also help combat issues such as deprivation and fuel poverty. Ealing’s LSP Executive has recognised the importance of the issue of climate change and in March 2007 agreed to pursue the development of a Climate Change Strategy for Ealing. Cabinet agreed to the development of this strategy on 1 May 2007. Ealing Council became a signatory of Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change on 16 May 2007, committing the Council to work with the community to address the causes and the impacts of climate change. The Government also recognises the need to act now and the Climate Change Bill currently before Parliament sets up the framework for the UK to achieve its long-term goals of reducing carbon dioxide emissions and to ensure steps are taken towards adapting to the impact of climate change. The Bill contains provisions that will set a legally binding target for reducing UK carbon dioxide emissions by at least 26 per cent by 2020 and at least 60 per cent by 2050, compared to 1990 levels. There will be a review of the target with an expectation that this will be increased to 80 per cent by 2050. The Bill will introduce a new system of legally binding five-year carbon budgets for the UK starting in 2008. Enabling powers to introduce carbon-trading schemes through secondary legislation is also included. The Bill will also support emission reductions through several specific policy measures including implementation of the Carbon Reduction Commitment – a mandatory cap-and-trade scheme covering energy use emissions from large, non-energy intensive organisations. Therefore it is important for the LSP partner organisations to consider their carbon footprint and how to go about reducing it. A new streamlined performance framework for local government was introduced that has required local government to report its performance against 198 indicators since April 2008. Out of the 198 indicators there are three indicators specifically on climate change. However there are numerous other indicators that relate indirectly to climate change issues such as fuel poverty and air quality. The new LAA contains 23 indicators, including one of the climate change indicators - per capita carbon dioxide emissions in the local authority area. The LAA target set for 2010/11 is a reduction of per capita emissions by 10 per cent from this 2005 baseline. The second tier partnership board, Environment and Climate Change, was tasked with developing the strategy, with Ealing Council leading the development on behalf of this 3 group, and brought together a partnership of public, private and voluntary organisations to contribute to the development. Aims and Objectives In 2008, Partnership for Ealing approved the refreshed Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS) for Ealing. This document set out a series of ten-year goals that the Local Strategic Partnership will deliver. For the Environment and Culture theme, the ten-year goal is to make Ealing a better place to live. One of the objectives under this theme is: “Reduce the borough’s contribution to climate change and be recognised as a ‘green’ borough” In order to achieve these goals, the LSP has set itself some immediate priorities for improvement over the next three years, set out in its Local Area Agreement (LAA) with central government. One of the immediate priorities of the LAA is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions per head of population across the borough. The overarching aim of this strategy is to reduce Ealing borough’s contribution to climate change. Based on the LAA target, the target for this strategy is to reduce per capita carbon dioxide emissions in the borough by 10 per cent by 2010/11 from a 2005 baseline. The objectives of the strategy are to: Prevent waste going to landfill through reducing the amount of waste produced, and increasing the re-use and recycling of waste Reduce energy consumption across the borough Reduce emissions resulting from transport through transport planning and our own activities Develop policies and procedures that promote the effective use of natural resources Ensure the borough is prepared to manage risk from a changing climate and make the most of new opportunities Each of these objectives links to particular themes throughout the strategy. Underlying these objectives are key work areas that cut across all the objectives, including sharing best practices, planning policy, and education and communication internally within partner organisations and externally within the borough. Governance and Performance Management Framework Governance For Ealing to reduce its contribution to climate change it is essential that the LSP work in collaboration towards common objectives. The Climate Change strategy is a multi-agency document that can only be delivered if the public, private and third sectors work together. Overall ownership of this strategy rests with Ealing’s LSP, Partnership for Ealing. The LSP Executive Board will be asked to approve the Climate Change strategy and its action 4 plan initially and whenever it is revised. The Executive Board is responsible for ensuring the delivery of the SCS. As climate change forms a part of this strategy’s key objectives and cross-cutting themes it is vital that the Executive Board review progress against the Climate Change strategy. Therefore, progress updates against the strategy will be integrated into the existing performance management framework of the Executive Board. The Environment and Climate Change Board, the second tier partnership within the LSP, will be the lead partnership for this strategy. Performance reports, which will set out progress being made across the partnership with regard to the delivery of the strategy action plan, will be brought to this board for scrutiny. As climate change is a crosscutting issue, one strategic board cannot implement the range of actions. Therefore, the actions within the strategy action plan will be assigned to one of the second tier partnership boards and they will be required to monitor progress against these actions and report back to the Environment and Climate Change Board on a quarterly basis. For example, actions around housing such as improving energy efficiency will be the responsibility of the Economy, Enterprise and Housing Board. The third tier partnerships within the LSP will provide support to the second tier partnership through delivering on actions and providing monitoring reports as delegated. A new third tier partnership for the Environment and Climate Change board will be established to effectively deliver on the actions of the strategy. They will develop annual project and communication plans to show how they will do this. Each quarter, all the groups will be required to report on performance and two groups per quarter will present project updates reports. Finally, the Council Cabinet will also be asked to approve both the strategy and action plan initially and whenever it is revised. As Ealing Council will be a key lead delivering agency for this strategy it is vital that the commitments made by that organisation have the support of Councillors. The Cabinet will receive annual performance reports on Ealing Council’s performance with regards to the delivery of the strategy action plan as well as it own action plan on carbon management. Performance Management and Targets Performance indicators will be tied to each of the strategy’s objectives. Improvement against these performance indicators will be used to measure the extent to which the LSP is fulfilling these objectives (see Appendix 2). For each performance indicator targets have been set for three years. Some are existing stretch targets that have been taken from the previous LAA. Many of the performance indicators taken from the national indicator set have not been collected before and the LSP only has baseline information to set targets. Some of the national indicators require a 2008 baseline to be established therefore targets for some indicators have not been set yet. The third tiers will be tasked with further developing the performance management of the strategy and help establish targets where they are missing, as appropriate. The strategy is a flexible document that is reviewable on an annual basis and therefore it will be updated with these targets at its annual review. Further, it is important to remember that the delivery of the strategy will also be monitored through the extent to which projects and activities within the action plan are delivered. 5 Statement of Community Involvement In order to inform this strategy and initial action plan the LSP undertook a series of research and consultation activities to inform it’s thinking. The process consisted of: Partnerships for Ealing Assembly Climate Change Workshop: In November 2007 a LSP Assembly was held and the attendees were asked to consider two questions that related to interventions to tackle climate change. Environment and Climate Change Board Workshop: Ealing Council facilitated a workshop with attendees of the Environment Climate Change Board meeting in March 2008. The aim of this workshop was for the Board to suggest actions for the action plan around three areas: the LSP, the borough and adaptation. Climate Change and Sustainability Board Workshop: The Climate Change and Sustainability Board organised a workshop, which consisted of members of this board, the Sustainability Network (SUN Group), and officers from Ealing Council. Attendees considered suggested themes for the strategy and proposed how they could be taken forward and by whom. Climate change work analysis: Interviews were conducted with colleagues from across the LSP to review what work was currently being undertaken on climate change and reducing carbon dioxide emissions from organisation’s operations. In the case of Ealing Council this was reviewed against what other London boroughs were doing via a desktop study. Overview and Scrutiny Committee: On 29 May 2008, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered a draft of the Climate Change strategy and action plan as part of the consultation process. Stakeholder consultation: The strategy in its various forms has been provided to stakeholders, including LSP partner organisations, for comment. 6 Theme 1: Energy Objective: Reduce energy consumption across the borough. Context Energy is central to our everyday lives. However, we face two long-term challenges around energy: 1. tackling climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and 2. ensuring secure, clean and affordable energy supplies. To generate electricity we burn fossil fuels that produce greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide emissions. London’s electricity and gas consumption causes 75 per cent of London’s carbon dioxide emissions (Greater London Authority 2007) and more than two thirds of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions come from the way we produce and use energy, so energy policy has to play a major part in meeting the challenge of tackling climate change (Department of Trade and Industry 2007). Energy Efficiency The most cost effective way to reduce carbon emissions is to use energy more efficiently (Department of Trade and Industry 2007). Improving energy efficiency also contributes to financial savings, the security of energy supply, and reducing fuel poverty through lower bills and tackling health and social problems. In 2005, the domestic sector accounted for 38 per cent of Ealing’s carbon dioxide emissions while the industry and commercial sector accounted for 37 per cent of emissions (King et al 2007). The carbon dioxide emissions by end user for this sector are broken down in Figure 1. An important action for the LSP will be communicating with staff, householders, voluntary and community groups and local businesses regarding energy efficiency and the support available to achieve reductions in the carbon dioxide emissions from these sectors. Ealing Community Network (ECN) ECN is purchasing trial software to monitor and reduce energy use in community buildings. This will initially be piloted in five premises managed by voluntary groups. The average household creates around 6 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year (Energy Saving Trust 2008b). Domestic sector emissions come from the energy used to heat, light and power our homes, including cooking and appliances. The planning system offers one of the greatest opportunities to influence energy use and carbon emissions from new developments. The government has committed for all new homes to be zero carbon by 2016 with a progressive tightening of energy efficiency building regulations. Since May 2008 all new homes are required to have a Code rating against the Code for Sustainable Homes to show the overall sustainability performance of the new home. The new Mayor for London proposed that all new homes will meet code level 3 by 2010, and code level 6 by 2016. Therefore these homes are more energy and water efficient, produce fewer carbon emissions and are better for the environment as it encourages their owners to live in a more sustainable way. Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) will be required for all buildings whenever a building is constructed, rented or sold. EPCs set out the energy efficiency and carbon emissions of a building. The Home Energy Conservation Act 1996 seeks a 30 per cent improvement in energy efficiency in existing residential accommodation over the following 10-15 years. Carbon Savings of around 20 per cent can be made by installing readily available technologies like loft and cavity insulation and gas condensing boilers (Energy Saving Trust 2008a). 7 There are numerous national and local initiatives that aim to improve the energy efficiency of private sector housing such as Warm Front and London Warm Zones that offer free or discounted cavity wall and loft insulation. Ealing Council actively promotes these initiatives and where to go for energy efficiency advice. The Council will publish a Private Sector Housing Strategy in late 2008 that addresses improving the quality of private housing in the borough, which will also address energy efficiency. Figure 1: 2005 Ealing CO2 emissions from domestic, and industrial and commercial sectors Ealing Council will develop an Affordable Warmth Strategy that covers all housing stock in the borough, to address the issues of fuel poverty in Ealing and will aim to make links with climate change. Ealing Homes has developed and Energy Efficiency Strategy and is responsible for ensuring that the council’s housing stock complies with the Decent Homes standard, which means properties must have reasonably modern facilities, be warm and weatherproof. The Decent Homes programme will improve the thermal efficiency of the council’s housing stock. Work will be done with the borough’s RSLs to deliver affordable homes and design quality protocols. Emissions from the commercial and public sector primarily come from electricity usage, including lighting and computing. Energy used for cooling buildings could also become a significant cause of emissions with the climate becoming warmer. From 1 October 2008 Display Energy Certificates (DECs) are required for all public buildings greater than 1,000 m2 that are occupied by public authorities or institutions providing a public service to a large number of persons. With the introduction of the requirement of DECs, the LSP needs to consider how to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings. 8 Ealing Primary Care Trust (PCT) Ealing PCT rent their office space, located on Armstrong Way in Southall. Despite this, the PCT have had the Carbon Trust undertake a carbon survey of their premises. As a result they have worked with the Carbon Trust to develop an Energy Strategy in 2007 and implemented an Energy Champions scheme within their office. Local residents in Ealing have access to an Energy Efficiency Advice Centre, which provides free independent energy advice on behalf of the Council on grants, general energy efficiency, tariff switching, renewable energy and referrals to certain schemes. There are numerous national and local schemes that are available for energy efficiency and renewable and low carbon technologies. The Business Environmental Support and Training initiative aims to support local businesses to become more environmentally responsible whilst improving their processes, profitability and competitiveness. Groundwork London, one of the partners in Ealing’s LSP, offer businesses a variety of support including practical advice, and energy audits, to realise cost saving through improved environmental performance. As in the case of residential development where the Code for Sustainable Homes will be applied, the planning authority will expect new commercial developments to also comply with Environmental Assessment Methodologies such as BREEAM. Some partners have already begun doing work around improving energy efficiency, including working with the Carbon Trust such as Ealing Council, which is a participant in phase 6 of the Carbon Trust’s Local Authority Carbon Management Programme. Through this programme, the Council will be working with the Carbon Trust to identify carbon emissions savings from the Council’s operations. The LSP will continue to work with organisations such as the Carbon Trust and the Energy Saving Trust to improve energy efficiency within their buildings and will encourage local businesses and residents to seek advice and support from these organisations. Renewable Energy In combination with using energy more efficiently, generating energy from sources that emit low or even zero levels of greenhouse gases, such as renewable energy, can reduce the impact of climate change. In 2006, renewable energy sources contributed 4.6 per cent of total UK electricity supply (BERR 2008). The Government has set a target for 10 per cent of UK’s electricity to be generated by renewable sources by 2010 and increasing to 20 per cent by 2020. The Government has an expectation that all planning authorities include policies around a percentage of energy in new developments to come from on-site renewable where it is viable (referred to as the ‘Merton Rule’). Ealing Council now has a policy for developers to achieve carbon emission savings of 20 per cent through on-site renewables in line with the London Plan. Renewable energy will be considered by the LSP in future procurement choices and developments within the borough. 9 Theme 2: Waste Objective: Prevent waste going to landfill through reducing the amount of waste produced, and increasing the re-use and recycling of waste. Context In the UK, waste management is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, mainly through land filling waste and incineration, which emits methane and carbon dioxide. Most of the waste we generate ends up in landfill where the breakdown of the biodegradable part generates methane. Recycling and composting needs to continue to increase to divert waste away from landfill and incineration to reduce its impact on climate change. Ealing Council has a Waste Collection Strategy for Ealing 2003 – 2013 and an associated Waste Minimisation Strategy that has targets to ensure that there is a reduction in the amount of the waste that the borough produces and there are increases in recycling and composting in the borough. Through the planning process, new developments generally provide facilities for recycling as well as storage of waste. As a waste planning authority, Ealing Council needs to make sure there are adequate sites available for waste management and disposal facilities of all waste in the borough to divert waste away from landfill. Ealing are currently working with five other west London boroughs to develop a Joint Waste Development Plan Document for this purpose. Ealing Council With cleaner streets identified as one of the Council’s three priorities as a response to residents’ concerns, the Council heavily invested in changes to refuse collection and recycling services. In November 2007, the Council introduced plastic recycling, same-day refuse and recycling collections, weekly garden waste collection and same-day pick-ups for missed refuse collections. That month 1,400 tonnes of dry waste was recycled – a 20% increase compared to the same month a year before. The total weight of plastic collected in the first few weeks of plastic recycling collections was the equivalent 11.5 double decker buses! Municipal waste recycling has increased by 9.33 percent since 2006/07. With the introduction of a borough wide commercial recycling service planned, it is expected this will increase. Ealing residents produce 120,000 tonnes of household waste annually, but only approximately 30 per cent of this is reused or recycled. However, recycling in the borough is recycling 42 percent more than two years ago. Reusing and recycling waste reduces waste buried in landfill, lowers waste disposal costs and helps reduce our carbon footprint. The LSP will continue to raise awareness and educate, and support the borough to encourage householders, voluntary and community groups, local businesses and schools to minimise their waste and to re-use or recycle. Energy from waste Using waste to generate energy can reduce greenhouse gas emissions emitted from waste when compared to landfill and provide an alternate energy source to move away from non-renewable sources. Currently in Ealing, the Council collects food wastes from residents in the borough and this is anaerobically digested to produce organic fertiliser and generate energy. This reduces the amount of food waste that would otherwise end up in landfill sites and produce greenhouse gas emissions. Since the contract started enough energy has been produced to heat over a 1000 homes. The Council also offers 10 local businesses free collection of their used cooking oil, which will then be turned into biodiesel. Transportation of waste The transportation of waste can contribute to climate change. However by reducing the amount of transport associated with waste collection and management, the amount of carbon dioxide emissions associated with it are reduced. Climate change mitigation from the transport of waste can be achieved by: Ensuring the most efficient collection routes, Reducing the distance travelled between waste management sites and waste collection points (the Proximity Principle), Reducing emissions from vehicles, and Ensuring contractors take climate change objectives seriously. Ealing currently maximises the proximity principle, managing all its waste, except batteries, within the UK. Ealing Council will be considering the viability of developing a recycling processing facility in the borough to manage waste locally. Groundwork London The Groundwork London office in Acton recycles paper, cardboard, glass, cans and plastics. In 2007, they recycled 3200kg of paper and cardboard, 40kg of glass and 65kg of cans and plastic. Collectively this is equivalent to saving 37 trees and 4600kWh of energy (Source: Paperround). Groundwork London also recycles as much as they can on their projects, diverting over 100 tonnes of waste from landfill. 11 Theme 3: Transport Objectives: Reduce emissions resulting from transport through transport planning and our own activities. Context Good transport systems are important for building economies and improving access and mobility for people to access jobs, education and services. Road transport is also a significant contributor to climate change, local air pollution and congestion. Planning policy should promote integrated settlements that minimise the need for travel, enhance public transport, support high quality and energy efficient design and encourage renewable energy. There is a push for low to zero carbon development with the design and location of new developments, including the accessibility to public transport to allow sustainable transport options, key elements to achieving this. Road transport contributes the most to poor air quality in Ealing and contributed to 24.7 per cent of Ealing’s total carbon dioxide emissions in 2005 (King et al 2007). The carbon dioxide emissions by end user for this sector are broken down in Figure 2. Measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the transport sector will not only have benefits for climate change mitigation but also on health and air quality. Air quality will be addressed in Ealing’s Air Quality Strategy currently under development. Figure 2: 2005 Ealing CO2 emissions from road transport Reducing carbon dioxide emissions from this area requires: a reduction of the number of journeys and miles undertaken by individuals, businesses and other organisations in vehicles producing carbon dioxide emissions; improving vehicle efficiency; and affecting a switch to zero or low emission modes of transport and fuels. These changes also present an opportunity to save money on vehicle running costs. Some LSP partners have implemented or are developing staff travel plans that encourage cycling, car sharing and working from home to reduce staff journeys and miles. There has been some consideration switching to greener fleets but there will need to be further work in fleet management across the LSP partners to make the change. The 12 review of fleet to switch to more sustainable options will be explored and would be delivered through procurement. London Fire Brigade. There are four fire stations within the borough (Northolt, Southall, Ealing and Acton) with around 200 personnel. Fire trucks are leased and are becoming more environmentally friendly. The LFB are investing in lower emission pumping appliances and dual fuel cars, testing the use of bioethanol fuel in their fleet cars and seeking to introduce the use of biodiesel for appliances when possible. School travel plans 53 schools in the borough have travel plans in place. School travel plans aims to promote the well-being of children and the local community through promotion of safe and sustainable modes of transport. These can range from engineering measures to promote safe walking routes to school, to road safety and environmental education and incentive schemes to encourage environmentally responsible travel choices. It is important that the borough is aware of sustainable travel practices and transport choices that are available to them in order to change their travel behaviour. The LSP will develop communication campaigns to promote sustainable transport amongst staff, voluntary and community groups local businesses and residents. Aviation Ealing is in close proximity to London Heathrow Airport. Aviation is a contributor to carbon dioxide emissions although these emissions are not included in reductions obligated by the Kyoto Protocol and the UK’s assessment of emissions. The Council along with 16 other London borough councils are part of the 2M Group that oppose the proposed expansion to the airport due to the environmental impacts it will have on communities. 13 Theme 4: Resource Use Objective: Develop policies and procedures that promote the effective use of natural resources. Procurement Adopting a green procurement approach encourages the efficient use of resources and the reduction in waste and greenhouse gases, as less energy is required to produce the goods or services. This can save organisations and individuals money. Greenhouse gas emissions are generated by the production, supply, consumption and disposal of products and services. Climate change can be tackled through procurement by considering the carbon footprint of the goods and services that are procured. Aspects to consider include the life span of the product, can the product be reused or recycled, how much waste does it generate and how much natural resources were used in its manufacture or to operate it. Some LSP partner organisations have sustainable/green procurement frameworks in place. The LSP will build on these and share best practice so all partners are working towards embedding green procurement policies within their organisation. The LSP will also encourage local businesses, voluntary and community groups and other organisations to change their purchasing behaviour. Ealing Community Network (ECN) ECN has been actively engaging with the whole local voluntary sector in environmental issues: Developed a local Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Environmental Strategy. Prepared an ECN Environmental Charter, which has been circulated, to 800 local groups to sign-up to. Currently developing an online section on the ECN website called the Going Green Zone Launching an annual ECN ‘ Going Green’ Award for local voluntary groups. Piloting energy efficiency software in voluntary sector run premises. Helping local groups achieve the Green Quality Mark. Running environmental skills training workshops for voluntary groups in partnership with Groundwork London. Planning Tackling climate change has become a key Government priority for the planning system with an increasing focus on climate change mitigation and adaptation in national planning policy. Development Plan Documents are required to include policies to contribute to the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change. The Planning Policy Statement, Planning and Climate Change, sets out how planning should contribute to reducing emissions and stabilising climate change. The bill and policy statements will feed into the development of the Council’s Local Development Framework (LDF). The Council’s LDF plans to address climate change through the borough’s planning policy. The LSP will work with developers to ensure climate change is considered when submitting planning proposals and during the development and construction stage. Compliance with planning policy requirements by developers will ensure successful delivery of the objectives set out in the LDF. 14 Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) The MPS consumes energy, water, raw materials and natural resources through its operations. The objectives in their Environmental Strategy seek to minimise the impact of its operations in these areas including the reducing the emissions of transport fleet, implementation of a Sustainable Staff Travel Plan, use of green energy as the sole source of electricity supply and increasing the energy efficiency of buildings. Water Water use produces greenhouse gases through energy use associated with abstracting, pumping, treating and heating water and treating and pumping wastewater. Water efficiency is important to reduce water use, which in turn reduces energy use, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It will also ensure that water is available and protect the natural environment. Ealing should be considering the impact of increased risk of flooding and water shortages on the borough as a result of climate change. 15 Theme 5: Adaptation Objective: Ensure the borough is prepared to manage risk from a changing climate and make the most of the new opportunities. Context Some degree of climate change resulting from past and present emissions of greenhouse gases is inevitable. Climate change adaptation is changing behaviour, institutional arrangements or economic activity to adapt to both direct and indirect consequences of climate change. Adapting well to climate change is about assessing and managing risks using the best available information on climate change and relating it to the local landscape, the location of all critical infrastructure and services, and the needs of the local community. Climate change may also bring opportunities that could be exploited therefore adaptation needs to consider taking advantage of certain consequences of climate change. It is predicted that as a result of climate change there will be warmer and wetter winters, hotter and drier summers and more frequent weather events such as storms and flash flooding in store for Ealing and the rest of London, which will impact on local services and infrastructure (see Appendix 3). By understanding more about what the impact will be for our local area we will be better equipped to take action to reduce the risks and take advantage of the potential benefits. A London Local Climate Impacts Profile (LCLIP) is proposed that will identify, categorise and quantify the impacts of weather event upon each London borough. Ealing Council will be working with the London Climate Change Partnership to contribute to the development of the LCLIP. Climate change will have implications for services including, emergency planning, waste management, planning, estates management, social services and the provision of leisure services. The LSP will need to work together and with other agencies such as emergency services and the Environment Agency to minimise the increased risk to communities associated with these impacts. With the built environment designed to last a long time, it is clearly vulnerable to any changes in the climate. Adaptation of the built environment (new and existing) will need to consider ensuring that it has the flexibility or resilience to cope with the projected climate changes. Timing of adaptation measures is important to reduce overall costs so introduction of measures should be considered to coincide with planed maintenance and/or upgrading or when certain opportunities arise such as unscheduled breakdowns. Spatial planning also has a role to play in shaping sustainable communities that are resilient to the consequences of climate change. As part of the work the LSP will be doing around adaptation, the LSP will also be communicating to residents, local businesses, and voluntary and community groups on the impacts of climate change on the borough and how they can be prepared to deal with these. Ealing Council – Planning policy Work has begun on adapting the borough to climate change. The Council has undertaken a strategic flood risk assessment of the borough to identify areas of risk to flooding and to what level. This will influence policy in regards to future developments in the borough to prevent inappropriate construction in flood risk areas and ensuring existing development identified in a flood risk area can cope with the impacts of flooding. 16 Glossary Adaptation – addresses the impacts and opportunities resulting from a changing climate. BERR – Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. A UK Government department that leads work to create the conditions for business success through competitive and flexible markets that create value for businesses, consumers and employees. It drives regulatory reform, and works across Government and with the regions to raise levels of UK productivity. Biofuel – a fuel produced from organic matter or combustible oils produced by plants. Carbon dioxide – a naturally occurring gas, it is also a by-product of burning fossil fuels and biomass, as well as land-use changes and other industrial processes. It is the principal anthropogenic greenhouse gas that affects the earth’s temperature. It is the reference gas against which other greenhouse gases are indexed (referred to as Global Warming Potential). Carbon footprint – the amount of carbon dioxide emitted directly and indirectly by an individual, organisation, event or product. Carbon Reduction Commitment – is a mandatory emissions trading scheme being introduce by the Government to cover large businesses and public sector organisations such as government departments, universities, retailers, banks, water companies, hotel chains and local authorities. The scheme covers large business and public sector organisations whose annual half-hourly metered electricity use is above 6,000 MWh. The scheme will begin in January 2010, with a three-year introductory phase. The first capped phase will begin in January 2013. Carbon Trust – an independent company set up by the Government in 2001 to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy by working with organisations to reduce carbon emissions and develop commercial low carbon technologies. www.carbontrust.co.uk Climate – refers to the average weather experienced over a long period. This includes temperature, wind and rainfall patterns. Decent Homes – A Government standard that Council’s and Housing Associations have to meet for all their homes by 2010. Defra – Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. A United Kingdom Government department whose mission is to enable everyone to live within our environmental means. Ealing Homes – an arms length organisation that manages council housing residents on behalf of Ealing Council. Ealing Community Network – the umbrella forum for local voluntary and community groups. Energy Saving Trust – not for profit organisation set up by the Government in 1993 with funding from government and private sector. Set to address the damaging effects of climate change through reducing carbon dioxide emissions by promoting the sustainable and efficient use of energy. www.energysavingtrust.org.uk 17 Fossil Fuels – carbon-based fuels formed in the ground over very long periods, including coal, oil and natural gas. Fuel poverty – A low-income household that has to spend more than 10 per cent of its income to maintain an adequate heating regime. Global Warming Potential (GWP) – an index representing the combined effect of the differing times greenhouse gases remain in the atmosphere and their relative effectiveness in absorbing infrared radiation. The GWP of a greenhouse gas is compared to the GWP of carbon dioxide, which is 1. Greenhouse gas emissions – gases in the atmosphere that absorb and re-emit infra-red radiation, producing the greenhouse effect. These gases occur through both natural and human-influenced processes. The major greenhouse gases are water vapour, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Other greenhouse gases are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). This strategy focuses on carbon dioxide emissions, as this is the gas that is reported on for the new national indicator 186. Green procurement – purchasing goods and services that minimise environmental impact. Kyoto Protocol – first ever international treaty to set legally binding GHG emissions reduction targets on developed countries that have ratified it. Local Area Agreement (LAA) – negotiated set of short-term priorities between the LSP and the Government. Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) – framework of statutory, private and third sector organisations that deliver services or are stakeholders in the borough. See also Partnership for Ealing. Methane – one of the greenhouse gases to be controlled under the Kyoto Protocol, which is 21 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. Merton Rule – planning policy pioneered by the London Borough of Merton, which requires the use of renewable energy onsite to reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions in the built environment. Mitigation - refers to the efforts to limit the man-made causes of climate change primarily through reducing greenhouse gases. Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change – a voluntary pledge to address the issues of climate change. It represents a high-level, broad statement of commitment that any council can make to its own community. The declaration was originally launched in October 2000 and was re-launched on 5 December 2005. Ealing Council signed the declaration on 16th May 2007. Partnership for Ealing (PfE) – the name of Ealing Borough’s Local Strategic Partnership. The Partnership brings together the full range of key strategic partners from all sectors in Ealing, including private, voluntary, statutory and business sectors. Partnership members have an interest in promoting and improving the quality of life of all who live and work in the borough. 18 Proximity Principle – waste should be disposed of as close to the point at which it is generated. Renewable energy – term used to describe energy flows that occur naturally and continuously in the environment, such as energy from the wind, sun, waves or tides. Sustainable Community Strategy – the document that sets the vision and priorities for Ealing that guides the LSP to identify and take action on local issues in the borough. United Kingdom Climate Impact Programme – established in 1997 by the Government to help coordinate scientific research into the impacts of climate change, and to help organisations adapt to those unavoidable impacts. www.ukcip.org.uk WestTrans – a partnership of the six West London boroughs of Ealing, Brent, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon and Hounslow. Led by Ealing Council, and joined by the Park Royal Partnership, it works with Transport for London to identify, develop and implement transport projects to the benefit of the subregion. It contributes advice to West London leaders relating to the development of an appropriate transport strategy for West London through liaison with the West London Strategic Transport Group. www.westtrans.org 19 References BERR (2008) Frequently Asked Questions (on renewables) available at http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/sources/renewables/explained/intro/faqs/page43371.html Defra (2007) The environment in your pocket 2007. Available at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/eiyp/intro.htm Department of Trade and Industry (now BERR) (2007) Meeting the Energy Challenge A White Paper on Energy. Available at http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/whitepaper/page39534.html Greater London Authority (2007) Action Today to Protect Tomorrow – The Mayor’s Climate Change Action Plan. Available at http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/environment/climate-change/ccap/index.jsp King K, Goodwin J, Passant N, Li Y and Brophy N (2007) Local and Regional CO2 Emissions Estimates for 2005 for the UK, AEAT/ENV/R/2522, AEA Energy & Environment. Available at www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/globatmos/galocalghg.htm Stern, N (2006) Stern Review: The Economics of Climate Change. Available at http://www.hmtreasury.gov.uk/independent_reviews/stern_review_economics_climate_change/sternrevi ew_index.cfm Energy Saving Trust (2008a) Emission impossible? A vision for a low-carbon lifestyle by 2050. Available at http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/your_impact_on_climate_change/emission_impossib le Energy Saving Trust (2008b) How we contribute to climate change available at http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/your_impact_on_climate_change/how_we_contribut e_to_climate_change 20 Appendix 1: Action Plan Objective: Prevent waste going to landfill through reducing the amount of waste produced, and increasing the re-use and recycling of waste Policy Area Activity Thematic Partnership Lead Organisation(s) Timeline LSP LSP partner organisations to undertake communication Environment and Climate All LSP partner Ongoing campaigns with staff to promote waste minimisation Change Board organisations and recycling. LSP partner organisations to ensure that the facilities Environment and Climate All LSP partner January are provided to staff to recycle all paper, cardboard, Change Board organisations 2009 plastics and aluminium cans. Further develop and initiate a borough wide schools Environment and Climate LBE October waste education campaign. Change Board 2008 Introduce a school’s food waste recycling collection Environment and Climate LBE October trial. Change Board 2008 Investigate the expansion of food waste collection and Environment and Climate LBE April 2009 recycling to LSP partner organisations e.g. hospital and Change Board residential homes. Borough Increase awareness and participation in recycling Environment and Climate LBE Ongoing wide services through a programme of education. Change Board Maximise the take up of existing recycling services. Environment and Climate LBE Ongoing Change Board Introduce a borough wide commercial waste recycling Environment and Climate LBE To be scheme. Change Board confirmed Roll-out and promote the existing estates based Environment and Climate LBE Ongoing recycling facilities. Change Board Recover energy from the borough’s food waste through Environment and Climate LBE Ongoing anaerobic digestion. Change Board 21 Objective: Reduce energy consumption across the borough Policy Area Activities LSP LSP partner organisations to undertake communication campaigns with staff to promote energy efficiency. LSP partner organisations to work in partnership with support agencies, such as the Carbon Trust, to improve the energy performance of their buildings. LSP partner organisations ensure that when facilities are updated or replaced an evaluation of the best option for significant investment decisions using option appraisal and whole life costing techniques informs purchasing decisions. An appraisal is undertaken for the potential of renewable energy generation, including the selling of surplus energy, when developing all major capital schemes. All LSP partner organisations to receive at least 10% of their electricity from renewable sources. Ensure all public buildings greater than 1000 m2 display Energy Performance Certificates and improve energy performance year on year. Borough wide Undertake communication campaigns with residents, voluntary and community groups, businesses and other organisations to promote energy efficiency. Provide energy grants to residents in private sector housing. Work with RSLs to deliver affordable homes and design quality protocols. 22 Thematic Partnership Environment and Climate Change Board Lead Organisation(s) All Timeline Ongoing Environment and Climate Change Board All Ongoing Environment and Climate Change Board All As required Environment and Climate Change Board LBE Ongoing LBE 2012 LBE and other all LSP partner organisations that this applies to 1 October 2008 LBE Ealing Homes Ealing PCT Chamber of Commerce ECN LBE Ongoing LBE Ongoing Economy, Enterprise and Housing Board Environment and Climate Change Board Economy, Enterprise and Housing Board Environment and Climate Change Board Economy, Enterprise and Housing Board Economy, Enterprise and Housing Board Economy, Enterprise and Housing Board Economy, Enterprise and Housing Board Ongoing Objective: Reduce emissions resulting from transport through transport planning and our own activities Policy Area Activities Thematic Partnership Lead Organisation(s) LSP LSP partner organisations to undertake communication Environment and All LSP partner campaigns with staff to promote sustainable transport. Climate Change Board organisations Borough Economy, Enterprise and Housing Board Change for Children Board Environment and Climate Change Board Encourage the borough’s schools to develop and deliver school travel plans. LSP partners to work in partnership with support agencies such as WestTrans to develop and deliver staff travel plans. LSP partners to undertake a review of their vehicle fleet, including cost benefit analysis of switching to more sustainable options. Incorporate environmental component to borough wide transport strategy supplementary to the Local Implementation Plan. LBE Ongoing All LSP partner organisations June 2009 Environment and Climate Change Board All LSP partner organisations June 2009 Environment and Climate Change Board LBE October 2009 LBE ECN Ealing Community Transport Chamber of Commerce LBE WestTrans Ongoing LBE 2011 LBE Ongoing Economy, Enterprise and Housing Board Environment and Climate Change Board Undertake communication campaigns with residents, community and voluntary groups and local businesses to promote sustainable transport. Encourage local businesses to work in partnership with support agencies such as WestTrans to develop and deliver staff travel plans. Bid for and implement a trial for three Power Ramps to produce energy from transport. LSP partners to oppose the expansion of Heathrow Airport. Economy, Enterprise and Housing Board Environment and Climate Change Board Environment and Climate Change Board Economy, Enterprise and Housing Board 23 Timeline Ongoing Ongoing Objective: Develop policies and procedures that promote the effective use of natural resources Policy Area Activities Thematic Partnership LSP LSP partners to develop policies so that the climate Environment and Climate change impact of suppliers is considered within its Change Board commissioning or procurement decisions. LSP partner organisations collate reliable Environment and Climate information/data to manage progress in achieving our Change Board objectives to reducing our impact on climate change. LSP partner organisations evaluate the best option for All boards significant investment decisions using option appraisal and whole life costing techniques. Introduce climate change impact assessments in key Environment and Climate decisions made by LSP partners. Change Board Incorporate climate change principles into LSP Environment and Climate organisations’ training and induction programmes. Change Board Borough Introduce flexible working policies across the whole of LSP partner organisations, including the review of remote working options. Introduce Climate Change Champion schemes (or similar) to all large LSP organisations. Environment and Climate Change Board Incorporate the mitigation of climate change into the development of the Local Development Framework. Environment and Climate Change Board Develop Supplementary Planning Guidance on climate change for new developments. Economy, Enterprise and Housing Board Environment and Climate Change Board Environment and Climate Change Board Economy, Enterprise and Housing Board 24 Lead Organisation(s) All major LSP partner organisations All major LSP partner organisations All major LSP partner organisations LBE Timeline March 2011 All major LSP partner organisations All major LSP partner organisations All major LSP partner organisations LBE April 2009 LBE December 2009 Ongoing As required December 2009 April 2010 April 2009 December 2009 Objective: Ensure the borough is prepared to manage risk from a changing climate and make the most of new opportunities Policy Area Activities Thematic Partnerships Lead Organisation(s) Timeline Adaptation Identify a lead official to provide advice on potential Environment and Climate Local Adaptation October 2008 impacts of future climate change to the Council, other Change Board Partnership LSP partners, local businesses, residents and other organisations Establish a local adaptation partnership as part of third Environment and Climate LBE October 2008 tier restructure Change Board Undertake a Local Climate Impacts Profile for Ealing on Environment and Climate Local Adaptation June 2009 determining potential impacts of future climate change Change Board Partnership Produce a Comprehensive Risk Assessment Environment and Climate Local Adaptation December 2009 Change Board Partnership Publish a Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan Environment and Climate Local Adaptation 2010/11 Change Board Partnership Initial cost analysis undertaken and potential sources of Environment and Climate Local Adaptation 2010/11 funding identified for major vulnerabilities Change Board Partnership Organisational business plans include actions to Environment and Climate All major LSP 2011/12 address the risks as identified by the Local Climate Change Board partner Impacts Profile. organisations Incorporate adaptation to climate change into the Environment and Climate LBE December 2009 development of the Local Development Framework Change Board Economy, Enterprise and Housing Board 25 Appendix 2: Performance Indicators and Targets Table 1: Existing indicators and targets Strategy objective Indicator Baseline 07/08 Final Improvement Target Prevent waste going to landfill through reducing the amount of waste produced, and increasing the re-use and recycling of waste BV82(a)(ii) – tonnage of household waste sent for recycling BV82(b)(ii) – tonnage of household waste sent for composting BV84a) – amount of household waste collected per head of population Average SAP ratings for local authority dwellings Average SAP ratings for private sector (non-RSL) dwellings 2005/06 – 19,151 24,792 (target was 26,194) 08/09 Standard: 26,500 Stretch: 26,894 09/10 Standard: 28,000 Stretch: 30,894 2006/07 – 21,914 2005/06 – 4887 9,533 (target was 13,395) Standard: 14,000 Stretch: 14,495 Standard: 16,000 Stretch: 17,500 Ealing Council 2006/07 – 8037 2005/06 – 411kg 385.5kg (target was 411kg) Standard: 411kg Stretch: 411kg Standard: 411kg Stretch: 400kg Ealing Council 72.6 Standard: 71 Stretch: 73 Standard: 72 Stretch: 74 Ealing Council and Ealing Homes Data not available Standard: 53 Stretch: 56 Standard: 54 Stretch: 59 Ealing Council Reduce energy consumption across the borough Lead partner(s) Ealing Council 2006/07 – 404kg 2005/06 – 68 2006/07 – 71 2005/06 – 51 2006/07 – 51 26 Table 2: New performance indicators and targets Strategy objective Indicator Baseline Reduce Ealing borough’s contribution to climate change NI 186: Per capita CO2 emissions in the LA area 5.7 Domestic per capita CO2 tonnes (2005) is baseline. Prevent waste going to landfill through reducing the amount of waste produced, and increasing the re-use and recycling of waste NI191 – Residual household waste per household NI 192: Household waste recycled and composted NI193 – Percentage of municipal waste land filled Improvement Target Lead partner(s) 08/09 3.33% reduction against baseline (0.188 tonnes) 09/10 6.66% (An additional 3.33% reduction against baseline (additional 0.188 tonnes) 10/11 10% (An Additional 3.33% reduction against baseline (additional 0.188 tonnes) Ealing Council Ealing Council Not yet confirmed Not yet confirmed Not yet confirmed An agreed overall 3 year improvement of 10% against the baseline (0.57 tonnes), with an improvement of 3.33% each year. Not yet confirmed 24% (06/07), 29.6% forecast (07/08) Not yet confirmed 32% 38% 40% Ealing Council Not yet confirmed Not yet confirmed Not yet confirmed Ealing Council 27 Strategy objective Reduce energy consumption across the borough Indicator Baseline The capacity of new waste management facilities by type Amount of municipal waste arisings, and managed by management types, & the percentage each management type represents of the total waste managed NI187 – Tackling fuel poverty - % of people receiving income based benefits living in homes with a low energy efficiency rating Renewable energy capacity (mw) installed by type Not yet confirmed Improvement Target Lead partner(s) 08/09 Not yet confirmed 09/10 Not yet confirmed 10/11 Not yet confirmed Ealing Council Not yet confirmed Not yet confirmed Not yet confirmed Not yet confirmed Ealing Council No baseline data available yet Target not set – need baseline data Target not set – need baseline data Target not set – need baseline data Ealing Council Not yet confirmed Not yet confirmed Not yet confirmed Not yet confirmed Ealing Council 28 Strategy objective Indicator Baseline Reduce emissions resulting from transport through transport planning and our own activities NI 167: Congestion – average journey time per mile during the morning peak NI175 – Access to services and facilities by public transport, walking and cycling NI177 – Local bus and light rail passenger journeys originating in the authority area NI198 – Children travelling to school – mode of transport usually used NI188 – Planning to adapt to climate change No baseline data available yet Develop policies and procedures that promote the effective use of Improvement Target Lead partner(s) 08/09 Target not set – need baseline data 09/10 Target not set – need baseline data 10/11 Target not set – need baseline data Ealing Council No baseline data available yet Target not set – need baseline data Target not set – need baseline data Target not set – need baseline data Ealing Council Not yet confirmed Not yet confirmed Not yet confirmed Not yet confirmed Ealing Council Not yet confirmed Not yet confirmed Not yet confirmed Not yet confirmed Ealing Councils and schools in borough Not yet confirmed Not yet confirmed Not yet confirmed Not yet confirmed 29 Strategy objective Indicator natural resources NI189 – Flood and coastal Ensure the erosion risk borough is management prepared to manage risk from a changing climate and make the most of new opportunities Baseline Not yet confirmed Improvement Target Lead partner(s) 08/09 Not yet confirmed 09/10 Not yet confirmed 30 10/11 Not yet confirmed Ealing Council Appendix 3: Climate Change Explained What is it? Climate change is the result of a rise in the average global temperature due to increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere. Greenhouse Effect Gases form a blanket around the earth, which trap heat near earth’s surface that would otherwise escape into space. Energy from the sun is trapped inside our atmosphere as it is reflected back from the earth towards space. This is a natural process called the ‘greenhouse effect’. This blanket of gases keep the earth warm, allowing it sustain life. Source: http://unfccc.int/essential_background/feeling_the_heat/items/3157.php Greenhouse gases The atmospheric gases that form the blanket around the earth that traps in heat are called ‘greenhouse gases’ (GHG). The main GHG are water vapour and carbon dioxide. However, there are a number of GHG that are emitted by human activities that increase their concentration in the atmosphere that enhance the greenhouse effect causing the earth’ climate to change unnaturally. The six GHG considered the most potent and are therefore covered by the Kyoto Protocol are: Carbon dioxide (CO2) Methane (CH4) Nitrous oxide (N2O) Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) 31 Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) The global warming potential of each gas is measured against that of carbon dioxide. For example, methane’s global warming potential is 21 times that of the same unit of carbon. What causes climate change? Human activity has changed the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The burning of fossil fuels for energy and transport, and cutting down forests are the main sources of carbon dioxide. The decomposition of organic matter through waste in landfill sites and agricultural activities produces methane. The growth of the world’s population is leading to an increased demand for food, livestock and energy, which is in turn leading to an increase in emissions. The UK is the world’s eight largest emitter of carbon dioxide, with London being responsible for eight per cent of these emissions. In London in 2005, industry and the transport sectors each accounted for around 28 per cent of emissions and domestic users accounted for a further 27 per cent (The environment in your pocket 2007). While for the same year, the industry and commercial and the domestic sectors each accounted for approximately 38 per cent of the total emissions in Ealing. Likely effects/impacts of climate change With global temperatures rising and the climate changing, there will be changes in weather, rising sea levels and more extreme weather. The UKCIP projects that by 2080 London will have warmer and wetter winters, hotter and drier summers, rise in sea level in the Thames Estuary and more frequent extreme weather events such as storms and flash flooding. Table 1 summarises predicted possible impacts for Ealing. Table 3: Summary of the possible impacts for Ealing Issue Higher temperatures Flooding Water Resources Health Possible impacts for Ealing – main points There is likely to be an increase in the demand for cooling and thus electricity in summer. Against this, there will be a reduction in demand for winter heating providing a financial advantage for bill payers and reducing incidences of fuel poverty. Increased risk of flooding. More frequent intense winter rainfalls are expected to increase the likelihood of flooding by rivers and flash flooding when urban drainage systems become overwhelmed. Water demand will be heightened during hot, dry summers. Longer summers with higher temperatures and lower rainfall will reduce soil moisture and the chance to replenish groundwater supplies. River flows are likely to lower in summer and higher in winter. Poorer air quality poses health problems for asthmatics as well as causing damage to plants and buildings. Higher levels of mortality related to summer heat stress are expected. Higher winter temperatures would be likely to lead to a reduction in winter cold spell related mortality. 32 Biodiversity Built Environment Transport Business and Finance Tourism Lifestyle Warmer weather would favour conditions for increased competition from exotic species as well as the spread of disease and pests, affecting both fauna and flora. Increased summer drought will cause stress to wetlands and beech woodlands. Earlier springs, longer frost-free seasons and reduced snowfall could affect dates of bird egg-laying, as well as the emergence, first flowering and health of leafing or flowering plants. The building industry will be likely to benefit from an increased number of construction days. Subsidence will worsen as clay soils dry out in summer and autumn. Alternate wetting of clays in winter and drying of clays in summer may cause increased ground movement resulting in increased potential for damage to underground pipes and cables. Increased temperatures will reduce comfort of occupants in domestic, commercial and public buildings, and could lead to business disruption. London’s transport system and ancillary services are vulnerable to disruption from flooding and other extreme weather events that are expected to increase in frequency and intensity. Increased temperatures on the London Underground, exacerbated by the urban heat island effect, will lead to passenger discomfort. Hotter summers may damage elements of transport infrastructure, causing buckled rails and rutted roads, with their attendant disruption and repair costs. Higher temperatures will lead to a reduction in cold weatherrelated disruption. The London insurance industry could be exposed to an increased volume of claims from wind storms and flood events. Lower income households may find it more difficult to access adequate insurance cover in the face of increased flood risk. The risk management of potential climate change impacts may provide significant opportunities for London businesses. Increased temperatures could attract more visitors to Ealing, benefiting the tourist sector. Leisure and recreational facilities and tourist attractions will need to be able to cope with climate change by providing a pleasant environment for visitors. High temperatures could lead to residents leaving Ealing in search of a more comfortable environment on holidays or breaks. Outdoor living may be more favoured, although some members of society may be less able to take advantage of this due to lack of facilities locally, fear of crime or other forms of social exclusion. Green and open spaces will be used more intensively. Source: Adapted from London’s Warming – The Impacts of Climate Change on London Summary Report (2002) 33 This strategy is published by Policy and Performance, Ealing Council on behalf of Partnership for Ealing For strategy enquiries, please contact Graeme McDonald Director of Policy and Performance London Borough of Ealing Perceval House 14-16 Uxbridge Road Ealing W5 2HL Tel 020 8825 7485 Email [email protected] Courtney Smith Policy Officer London Borough of Ealing Perceval House 14-16 Uxbridge Road Ealing W5 2HL Tel 020 8825 6227 Email [email protected] 34