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Cabinet Committee on Climate Change and the Environment Meeting to be held on 20th April, 2009 Part I - Item No. 5 Electoral Division affected: None Lancashire – Gulu Carbon Compensation Scheme (Appendix 'A' refers) Contact for further information: Fiona Cruchley, 01772 533906, Environment Directorate, [email protected] Executive Summary The Cabinet Committee has previously agreed a contribution to initiate projects in a carbon compensation scheme in Gulu, Uganda. This report outlines the continuing progress of the projects in Uganda. Recommendation The Cabinet Committee is requested to note the third progress report from Gulu and receive further updates as the projects are implemented. Background and Advice The aim of the Lancashire Gulu Carbon Compensation scheme is to help atone, in a small way, for the disproportionate effect Lancashire’s carbon pollution is having on developing countries. The United Nations Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that developing countries, such as Uganda, will be hardest hit by climate change caused by developed countries such as the UK. The Lancashire Gulu Carbon Compensation scheme seeks to help Gulu (a community in northern Uganda) cope with the impact of a changing climate. Last May, the Cabinet Committee welcomed representatives from Gulu Municipal Council and the Gulu-Lancashire Local Agenda 21 Link association to the meeting and discussed the proposed projects. The project was launched at the end of May 2008. On 21st October 2008, the first progress report received from officers in Gulu was presented. The second progress report was presented on 19th January 2009. The attached Appendix 'A' is the third quarterly report on implementation of the project, received from officers in Gulu. As detailed in the report, implementation of -2the projects continues to progress effectively, despite delays in transferring finance from Lancashire and the continuing delays in shipping the biodiesel kit. Progress on specific projects is set out below: Smallholder timber plantation project Mahogany and teak tree seedlings in the nursery are now mature and ready to be planted out in the field. Distribution and planting out of mature tree seedlings will begin in the next rainy season which begins in mid March 2009. Pine and eucalyptus tree seedlings have germinated and will be ready for planting out in April and May 2009. Integrated Solid Waste Management Project A consultant has been identified to carry out an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the proposed new refuse dump site located in Bungateria sub county Gulu district. Communities have been mobilized to actively participate in the ‘Keep Gulu Clean and Green’ campaign every last Saturday of the month. Agro Forestry and Organic Framing Project Agro forestry and fruit tree seedlings are now mature and ready for distribution and planting out in the field starting in March 2009. Maesopsis eminii an agro forestry tree species is being raised in the tree nursery for the next planting season. Community Integrated Wetland Conservation and Management Project Wetland management committees have been trained and empowered to promote conservation and wise use of wetlands within their areas of jurisdiction. Inventory, surveying and mapping of the wetlands in the municipality is still on-going and will continue in the next quarter. Integrated Bee Keeping Project Members who are already engaged in bee keeping have been encouraged to continue with this activity, the project wil officially start in the second year as planned. Bio-Diesel Demonstration Project The bio-diesel kit is expected in Uganda before Easter and we shall begin this project as soon as we receive the bio-diesel processor. -3The County Council has commenced work with the Lancashire – Gulu Link to market the scheme to organisations, businesses and individuals with the aim of attracting further external investment. In the next financial year, promotional work will focus on local businesses, youth groups and churches. This will build on existing contacts and interest from business and church groups and link with wider communications activity through the My Lancashire, My Planet campaign. Following the Cabinet Committee's agreement for the County Council to handle the practical financial arrangements of collecting donations, the Lancashire-Gulu link board has decided that the charity should undertake this. This will have the benefit of allowing individual donations to be eligible for gift aid tax relief. This has resulted in delays in finalising the marketing materials, which should be produced by May 2009. Consultations N/A. Implications: This item has the following implications, as indicated: Financial implications There are no financial implications of this report additional to commitments made on 19th November, 2007 when the project was approved. This commitment was £27,000 in 2008/9, and £10,000 per annum in the 2 following years. Risk management The risks to the project were identified in the report considered on 19th November, 2007 prior to approval of the project. This report provides an update on the progress of implementation. Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 List of Background Papers Paper Date Contact/Directorate/Tel Reports to Cabinet Committee on Climate Change and the Environment - Carbon Compensation Scheme 19th November, 2007, 6th May and 21st October 2008 Jane Carrigan/ Environment/01772 534374 Reason for inclusion in Part II, if appropriate N/A.