Download Appendix 1 - Carbon Emissions Reduction Policy

Mansfield District Council
Creating a District where People can Succeed
Carbon Emissions Reduction Strategy
Mansfield District Council
2011-2016
Foreword by Managing Director
Whether or not you believe that climate change is influenced by human actions, scientific
evidence strongly points to the fact that the Earth’s climate is changing. The extent of the
impacts we are experiencing now and the need to adapt to changes in the future is also
becoming clearer. If you combine these impacts with the current economic situation, future
issues of energy security and supply, it becomes clear that energy use must be managed
more effectively to improve efficiency and protect resources into the future.
Mansfield District Council is committed to protecting the environment and recently won the
2011 LGC Awards in the category of Low Carbon Council for recent work focussed on
reducing emissions from our own properties and services.
The aim of this strategy is to co-ordinate a number of objectives into one document to allow
the Council to reduce its own emissions and impact on the environment and to demonstrate
leadership for everyone within the Mansfield district to help communities, businesses and
individuals adapt to current and future climatic changes.
Signed ………………………………..
(Ruth Marlow, Managing Director)
Date …………………………………..
Foreword by the Portfolio Holder for the Environment
Recently the way in which energy is used at Mansfield District Council has been changing,
with increased energy efficiency being at the heart of the decision making process.
The Council aims to build upon the recent improvements it has made within its own services
and properties by cutting energy use and reducing harmful emissions, by helping both
residents and businesses within Mansfield to reduce their own impacts.
Early action can help address issues relating to climate change, security of energy supply
and the cost of energy for businesses, industry and households within the District and the
UK, and is increasingly important during these current times of economic austerity.
This strategy sets out how Mansfield District Council aims to help reduce emissions both
corporately and across the district.
Signed ………………………………..
(Cllr Philip Shields, Portfolio Holder for the Environment)
Date …………………………………..
.
Managing Director – Ruth Marlow
Civic Centre, Chesterfield Road South, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG19 7BH.
Telephone 01623 463463 Fax 01623 463900 e-mail [email protected] website: www.mansfield.gov.uk
1
Executive Summary
The overall aim of this strategy is to set out what Mansfield District Council wants to achieve
with regards to emissions reduction and how we intend to do it. A plan has been put together
to reduce energy use and emissions, reduce the impact Mansfield District Council has on the
environment and demonstrate the leadership role that the Council must play in order to
encourage and help others to reduce their own impacts.
Four key objectives have been developed to allow the strategy to move forwards. These
objectives are:
1. To develop a corporate approach to climate change mitigation and energy
reduction.
2. To reduce energy use and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in MDCs own estate by
35% by 2013/14 from a baseline of 2008/09.
3. To reduce CO2 emissions in the District by 20% by 2020.
4. To address climate change adaptation within the District.
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Mansfield District Council
Creating a District where People can Succeed
Table of Contents
Page
Foreword by the Managing Director and the Portfolio Holder
for the Environment
1
Executive Summary
2
1
Introduction
1.1
The Basics of Climate Change
1.2
The Greenhouse Effect
1.3
Mansfield District Council
4
4
4
6
2
Key Drivers
2.1
International
2.2
National
2.3
Regional and District Level
7
7
7
9
3
Mansfield, a Low Carbon Council
3.1
Reduce the need for energy
3.2
Use energy more efficiently
3.3
Use energy from renewable sources
3.4
Future plans
10
10
10
11
11
4
Strategic Objectives
12
5
Monitoring Progress and collecting evidence
5.1
What has Mansfield District Council already done
at a Corporate Level?
5.2
Achievements in 2010
5.3
Plans for the future
5.4
What has Mansfield District Council already
done at community level?
5.5
Plans for the future
13
6
Action Plan
18
7
Conclusion
22
8
References
23
Managing Director – Ruth Marlow
Civic Centre, Chesterfield Road South, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG19 7BH.
Telephone 01623 463463 Fax 01623 463900 e-mail [email protected] website: www.mansfield.gov.uk
3
13
13
14
15
17
1
Introduction
Climate change has been greatly debated in recent years, but increasing evidence shows
that as the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere rises, so does the average temperature. It is
now believed (by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)1 with more than
90% certainty) that human actions are directly responsible for at least some of the increased
and sustained rise witnessed over the last century.
The concept of climate change is sometimes difficult to comprehend as humans go about
their daily lives. It is an undeniable fact, however, that Mansfield area people and
businesses, plus the rest of the UK, have been affected in recent years by an increase in
storm events, flooding and water shortages. The resulting impacts and restrictions are
demonstrated, for example, caused by the extreme snow and ice experienced during winter
2010. While no single storm or weather event can be directly attributed to climate change,
the scientific evidence clearly shows that as the climate warms, extreme weather events will
become more intense and more frequent.
As the debate continues over climate change and how humans are contributing to it, even
sceptics can see the overwhelming need to reduce our overall impact on the environment.
Peak Oil and possible future uncertainty of energy supply, combined with the highly wasteful
systems that people are so used to working and living with, make it clear that resource
consumption must be radically reduced before it is too late.
1.1
The Basics of Climate Change
To be able to understand climate change, it is vital that the difference between weather and
climate is understood.
The Met Office2 defines weather as:
“temperature, precipitation (rain, hail, sleet and snow) and wind, which change hour
by hour and day by day. Weather is what you can see out of your window, now.”
Climate, meanwhile, relates to the average weather patterns and the nature of the variations
experienced during a period of 30 years or more.
1.2
The Greenhouse Effect
The Greenhouse Effect is a natural, balanced process of heating and cooling that allows life
to exist on earth. Light energy from the sun passes through the atmosphere and warms the
earth. It is reflected back into space as Infrared Radiation (IR) taking the heat with it. Some
IR, however, is trapped by gases like Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere and the heat
is retained.
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Mansfield District Council
Creating a District where People can Succeed
Figure 1 - The Greenhouse Effect2
Since the 19th century, the amount of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere has been
steadily rising as a result of anthropogenic or human activities such as heavy industry, travel
and transport, which have altered the atmosphere’s balance. In the last 50 years the level of
CO2 in the atmosphere has risen from 315 parts per million (ppm) to 391ppm in March 20104.
It is believed that it is this rise which leads to climate change and will result in further future
changes.
The amount that CO2 concentrations (and other related atmospheric compounds e.g.
methane) increase in the atmosphere, is directly linked to the impact on the climate. If the
rate of increase is not reduced, and the total amount of CO2 in the atmosphere does not
begin to fall, serious changes are predicted to occur globally. These alterations include sea
level rises, an increase in the drought and flooding plus escalation of the overall average
global temperature.
The scientific evidence is now overwhelming: climate change
presents very serious global risks, and it demands an urgent global
response.
Taken from the Stern Report (2006)5
Projections have been made by UKCIP (the UK Climate Impacts Programme) to determine
what the future effects of a changing climate may be; scenarios of low, medium and high
emissions both regionally and UK-wide have been modelled. These can be seen below.
Managing Director – Ruth Marlow
Civic Centre, Chesterfield Road South, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG19 7BH.
Telephone 01623 463463 Fax 01623 463900 e-mail [email protected] website: www.mansfield.gov.uk
5
Figure 2 - Projected climatic changes for the East Midlands3 - Average Temperature Trends
for 2020, 2050 and 2080.
Changes in annual mean temperature
(oC) –under a Medium Emissions
Scenario
The results within the East Midlands region show that warmer, wetter winters and hotter,
drier summers have been predicted - along with an increase in the severity of extreme
weather events. Temperatures are set to rise by 1oC in the East Midlands, with 2oC by 2050
and 3oC by 2080. Precipitation, meanwhile, is set to decrease in summer by between 10 and
40%, but to increase during winter months by anything up to 20% within the same timescale.
People’s actions in the UK are not solely affecting the local climate but also contributing to
changes on an international level. Flooding across Pakistan in August 2010 was the worst
seen in a century and affected the lives of over fourteen million people. An increase in the
frequency and severity of these extreme weather events, combined with a projected rise in
sea levels will result in even more pressure being placed on highly vulnerable communities
globally.
1.3
Mansfield District Council
Mansfield District Council is aiming to reduce its own impact on climate change through
positive action to deal with emissions from its own services and building stock. It also aims to
act as a leader for the wider community, whilst ensuring that future damaging effects of
climate change are mitigated against and adapted to where possible.
The probable impacts of future climate changes need to be understood in order to make
changes to the way people work and live. Adapting to any risks and obtaining benefits from
available opportunities is vital in enabling the Council to continue to be a leader on climate
change action through how it plans and delivers its future services.
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Mansfield District Council
Creating a District where People can Succeed
2
Key Drivers
There is a range of International and National climate change related drivers, as well as
specific legislation, that requires Mansfield District Council to measure its own impact and
identify and implement actions to lessen the effects of (mitigate) and adapt to climate
change.
2.1
International
The Kyoto Protocol (1997) was an international agreement linked to the United Nations
Framework on Climate Change aimed at fighting Global Warming and its action runs until
2012. The recent Copenhagen Accord (2010) is an agreement that recognises the scientific
view that an average increase in global temperatures needs to be kept below 2oC. The
Accord does not, however, currently legally oblige any countries to reduce emissions to
below certain levels, nor does it set any date for completing this work. It is hoped that a
further, legally binding agreement will be put in place to set targets for CO2 reduction to
follow on from the Kyoto Protocol.
Fuel supply risks are set to increase, especially as the UK has an increased reliance on
imported gas from the continent and Russia. This dependence has been predicted to rise to
between 45% and 80% by 2020 from 31% in 2010.
Crude oil prices are anticipated to rise from 2010 (IEA6) and recent evidence indicates that
this is happening already. Peak Oil (when global oil production is expected to reach peak
production and after which demand is set to outstrip supply), is expected to hit within 10 to 20
years which will again cause the price of energy to grow.
Rising energy costs mean that the Council, local businesses and Mansfield’s residents will all
face increased bills for electricity, travel, food and other goods and services.
As a result of these and other potential risks to be faced with during the next 20 years,
several key decisions have been made within the EU and the UK to try and combat these
future issues.
The EU Renewable Energy Policy (2007)7 sets a binding 20% EU target to source its
energy from renewable sources (including wind, solar, biomass and hydro-power). This
means that every country, including the UK, must increase the amount of renewable energy
it produces in order to contribute to this target.
2.2
National
The LGA Climate Change Commission concluded in 2007 that in the period up to 2009,
there must be a significant and measurable improvement in the local government response
to climate change. This information has resulted in climate change issues being raised to a
higher level on the local government agenda, whilst ensuring continuing high level support
for work to identify and reduce carbon emissions.
The UK Climate Change Act (2008)8 defines a target for reduction of carbon emissions of at
least 80% from the 1990 baseline by 2050. All councils therefore have a duty to work
towards meeting this target by reducing both their own and their area’s emissions.
The Household Energy Management Strategy (2010) Warm Homes, Greener Homes10
specifies a commitment to reduce carbon emissions from homes by 29% by 2020. In
Managing Director – Ruth Marlow
Civic Centre, Chesterfield Road South, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG19 7BH.
Telephone 01623 463463 Fax 01623 463900 e-mail [email protected] website: www.mansfield.gov.uk
7
addition, it calls for all households to have benefitted from some energy efficiency measures
by 2030.
The Low Carbon Transition Plan (2009)11 sets out details of how the UK will meet its 34%
emissions reduction target by 2020. The Plan covers getting more than 1.2 million people
into green jobs, supporting 1.5 million households to create their own green energy and
taking advantage of new technologies to reduce emissions from all new cars by 40%.
MDC is a signatory of the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change that makes public
the Council’s commitment towards actively addressing climate change. Furthermore, the
Council has since published a statement showing its continuing commitment to reducing the
effects of climate change across the region and globally.
Within the UK, an electricity generation gap is expected within 10 years as one third of UK
capacity (coal and oil) is to be decommissioned by 2020, with a number of nuclear
installations due for decommissioning at the same time. This gap will need to be filled, and
installation of small scale (and larger scale) renewable technology is required to be able to
ensure energy security across the UK. The introduction of Feed in Tariffs (FITs) in 2010 and
the now confirmed Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) beginning in 2011, are aimed at
increased investment in renewable energy and heat technology – thus increasing the
percentage of renewable energy produced in the UK. It is therefore an ideal time to ensure
renewable technologies are used to their full potential both within the Council’s own premises
and within all domestic properties.
The Government’s Fuel Poverty Strategy (2001)9 has set itself a deadline of eradicating fuel
poverty in the UK by 2016. As fuel costs continue to rise, however, increasing numbers of
people are being classed as suffering from fuel poverty. It is therefore imperative that
renewable alternatives are found to increasingly expensive carbon based fuel sources to
ensure that this deadline can be met.
The CRC Energy Efficiency scheme is a mandatory scheme applicable to large, non
energy intensive organisations (both public and private sector) within the UK, and aims to cut
carbon emissions. Mansfield District Council does not qualify for the scheme in the initial
stages, but has registered and produced an Information Disclosure for the 2008 baseline
year. It is believed that scheme changes will require inclusion of smaller councils such as
Mansfield District Council who would then be included in the scheme in the future - so
planning now to reduce emissions is vital. Hence, the Council must take advantage of
improvements in technology to reduce its emissions and energy costs. If it fails to meet the
35% CO2 reduction levels (by 2013/14) that is has set for itself, an increase in energy costs
will be incurred.
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Mansfield District Council
Creating a District where People can Succeed
2.3
Regional and District Level
MDC has placed Climate Change as one of
its core priorities in its Corporate Plan 20102020:
“Develop a high quality, clean, green and
pleasant environment”.
Addressing Climate Change is also a priority
for action, reflected in the “Liveability” theme
of MDC’s Community Strategy 2007-2015.
Mansfield District Council has in recent years been required to report on a number of
National Indicators (NIs) that reflect priority outcomes through the Local Area Agreement
(LAA) with other partners in the area and with Government (Figure 3). The Council has also
chosen to work towards achieving other priorities that are not reported through the LAA,
(Figure 3 ), but which are used to determine progress and show annual improvements.
Figure 3
1.
NI185 – CO2 reduction from Local Authority Operations
2.
NI186 – Per capita reduction in CO2 emissions in the LA area
3.
NI187 – Tackling Fuel Poverty - % of people receiving income
based benefits living in homes with a low energy efficiency
rating
4.
NI188 – Planning to Adapt to Climate Change
National Indicators in their previous form were scrapped in October 2010 as part of the
Government’s Spending Review; however their importance at highlighting particular areas of
work should not be underestimated.
New reporting of greenhouse gas equivalents (GHGe) was carried out in July 2011, with the
08/09 baseline being re-calculated, the 09/10 figures showing a 3% reduction and the 10/11
figures showing a 13% reduction.
Managing Director – Ruth Marlow
Civic Centre, Chesterfield Road South, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG19 7BH.
Telephone 01623 463463 Fax 01623 463900 e-mail [email protected] website: www.mansfield.gov.uk
9
3
Mansfield, a Low Carbon Council
It is vital for a Low Carbon Council to implement the Energy Hierarchy. This was originally
conceived in 'Energy Services for Sustainable Communities', a Local
Government Position Statement on Energy, in 199812. It states that organisations and
individuals should:
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3.1
Reduce the need for energy
A key change required is to alter the way in which the Council carries out its business
through a cultural shift to its approach to decision making and capital projects. It is important
that the Council looks at energy efficiency benefits of any future business decisions to
improve value to the local tax payer through improved use of natural resources.
Within the Council, targets have been set and key actions identified for reducing the energy
use and CO2 emissions from the Council’s own buildings, estate, fleet and business
practices. These matters will continue to be addressed through joint departmental and
partnership working using the Carbon Management Plan and via continuing staff awareness
raising campaigns, building on those that began during summer 2010.
3.2
Use energy more efficiently
The Council’s role as community leader enables it to set a good example to others through
the actions it takes. In so doing, this approach enhances the Council’s own credibility thus
making it more likely to be able to exert a positive influence on others.
The Council is leading the way to promote the use of new technologies in all of its service
areas. This activity is no more apparent than in the major refurbishment of former colliery
baths during 2009/10. This development saw the removal of the coal fire boilers being
replaced by a Ground Source Heat Pump in the conversion to form the Rebecca Adlington
Swimming Centre.
Projects focussed on reducing emissions from Council properties include the installation of
energy efficient lighting at Council Car Parks. In addition, the installation of several different
technologies at the Water Meadows Leisure Centre have been approved and are being
implemented.
A climate change action plan has been created to highlight the Council-wide approach to
dealing with reducing emissions, and this plan will be regularly updated throughout the life of
this strategy.
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Mansfield District Council
Creating a District where People can Succeed
3.3
Use energy from renewable sources
The Council has already taken steps to improve its own energy use and demonstrated a 12%
reduction in usage and a 14% reduction in CO2 emissions in 2009/10 from the previous year.
The Council is now looking to invest in sustainable and renewable energy technologies
where appropriate.
A trial of Ground Source and Air Source heating systems is planned for a small number of
social housing properties within the Pleasley Hill area, to allow the coal fired district heating
scheme to be replaced.
A master planning exercise is being undertaken within Housing which aims to devise a
scheme to improve the sustainability of the Bellamy Road Estate. This activity includes
proposals to achieve a reduction of the average annual carbon footprint per household on
the estate. At present, 43 highly energy efficient houses are being constructed on the site
which will achieve Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Development through the use of a
mixture of ground source heat pumps, solar PV and solar hot water panels.
3.4
Future plans
Over the lifespan of this strategy, Mansfield District Council will aim to work with local
businesses to improve business efficiency and competitiveness through energy saving
incentives and consultation. The Council’s own procurement supply chain can be used to
actively encourage new ‘green business’ growth and start up. The establishment of staff
training mechanisms could also allow small business free access to council internal energy
efficiency courses.
In addition, the Council aims to develop planning policies and guidance to address
sustainable energy requirements of new developments.
The development of travel plans in partnership with local businesses can help to reduce the
road emissions in the district and reduce congestion and business cost; home working and
electronic trading will be encouraged as will the enhanced use of public transport.
The Council will endeavour to raise the awareness of the area’s residents so that the latter
are better informed and able to take action against climate change. Residents will be shown
how to follow the energy hierarchy approach by encouraging: 1) individual behaviour change;
2) investment in energy efficiency measures; and 3) investment in renewable energy.
Meanwhile, the Council will continue to actively work with local community organisations to
enhance their skills and help them to work towards reducing their own carbon footprint.
The Council will also work with organisations within the district and county to address climate
change adaptation.
Managing Director – Ruth Marlow
Civic Centre, Chesterfield Road South, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG19 7BH.
Telephone 01623 463463 Fax 01623 463900 e-mail [email protected] website: www.mansfield.gov.uk
11
4
Strategic Objectives
The Council’s desire to be a Low Carbon Council, and the more specific aspirations for how
to achieve this, will be delivered by following the following strategic objectives:Objective One - To develop a corporate approach to Climate Change mitigation and
energy reduction.
A corporate and Mansfield-wide approach to mitigation and energy reduction has been
started with the production of this Strategy. However, more needs to be done to ensure
climate change remains at the forefront of the political agenda - in order to allow all partners
to take advantage of skills and knowledge gained through the initial stages of the process.
Objective Two - To reduce energy use and CO2 emissions in MDC’s own estate by 35%
by 2013/14 from a baseline of 2008/09.
This reduction will be achieved through the Council’s Carbon Management Plan13, with
quarterly monitoring and reporting of progress to both Corporate Management Team and the
Carbon Trust, plus regular staff updates to ensure continued input from all staff. More
sustainable services and working practices will be identified through this process in order to
ensure further savings are made to reach the target of 35% reduction by 2013/14.
Water Meadows Leisure Centre was identified in 2008/09 to be the Council’s number one
energy use building through NI185 data. A number of projects to reduce energy use here
have been identified including installation of a new Building Management System.
Objective Three - To reduce CO2 emissions in the district by 20% by 2020.
A district-wide cut in emissions will only be possible if the Council acts as a leader, through
offering advice and setting an example to both businesses and residents.
This reduction can be achieved through both Planning and Regeneration working closely
together to ensure decisions that are taken incorporate climate change issues in them.
Education of the public, including through schools and colleges is key to ensuring the
message reaches all sections of society and the Council will work closely with local
education bodies to ensure this happens.
Work targeted at households will ensure that the almost half of all CO 2 emissions are
combated.14
Objective Four - To address climate change adaptation within the district.
Adaptation to climate change will ensure a high quality of life, health and environmental
excellence within the district continue whilst potential risks are avoided. Opportunities will
also be identified through this process and may lead to economic, social and environmental
improvements throughout the district for businesses and residents.
12
Mansfield District Council
Creating a District where People can Succeed
5
Monitoring Progress and collecting evidence
The Council’s own emissions will be monitored through quarterly updates of energy use
performance for each site and an annual review of the Council’s Carbon Management Plan
and the Climate Change Action Plan.
Improvements in emission levels across Mansfield will be demonstrated by documenting the
uptake of schemes open to residents (including the Crestra discounted insulation scheme
run by Groundwork), businesses (through Business Link) and community groups.
Progress made on adaptation to climate change will be publicised through both the Council’s
internal communications plan and externally to ensure the public are aware of the need for
pro-active adaptation, before changes begin to occur.
5.1
What has Mansfield District Council already done at a Corporate Level?
Corporate progress to quantify and reduce carbon emissions from a 2008/09 baseline along
with future targets and plans can be found within the Council’s Carbon Management Plan
(CMP)13 that was produced in conjunction with the Carbon Trust in 2010.
Figure* - The Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre (formally Sherwood Baths) underwent a
complete transformation in 2009 including the installation of a Ground Source Heat Pump, a
Biomass Boiler and improved insulation. This has contributed to an overall saving in carbon
emissions of 546 tCO2.
A summary of the main achievements in 2010 is shown below, and includes the
determination of an energy and CO2 baseline for the Council, the creation of an Efficiency
Fund to ensure “Spend to Save” projects are financed, and the implementation of a range of
carbon reduction and energy efficiency projects through existing budgets.
5.2

Achievements in 2010
The Council’s Carbon Footprint was measured through the Carbon Management
Programme, data for the baseline year (2008/09) was collected and NI185
(CO2reduction from the council’s own services) was reported in June 2009/10. A 14%
reduction in CO2 emissions across all services was seen with major improvements
being made at the Civic Centre. In 2011 this was recalculated to show an overall 16%
reduction in Greenhouse Gas emissions has been seen since 2008/09.

Action planning for the creation of a Carbon Management Plan (CMP) and a Climate
Change Action Plan (CCAP) was undertaken. The CCAP was initially created in June
2009 and recently updated to show the progress that has been made. A full summary
of progress can be found in Appendix A.

Projects have been undertaken within Leisure and Cultural Services, Operations and
the Parks departments with further projects being identified for the coming year
across all departments starting within Housing (looking at Tenants Meeting Rooms
and Communal Lighting areas).

A number of energy efficiency measures have been put in place at the Civic Centre;
the Building Management System (BMS) has been fine tuned, energy efficient lighting
has been installed both in the offices and in the car park in April 2010 and the heating
has been switched off in areas in which it is not required.
Managing Director – Ruth Marlow
Civic Centre, Chesterfield Road South, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG19 7BH.
Telephone 01623 463463 Fax 01623 463900 e-mail [email protected] website: www.mansfield.gov.uk
13

The Council’s Energy Supplier was changed in 2011 and a new, more centralised
contract will be put in place to allow for easier reporting and bill payments to take
place.

The Council has registered under the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme and although
not eligible for the full scheme has made an information disclosure to the
Environment Agency. The Council is also preparing for scheme changes in the future
that may mean it is to be fully included in the scheme.

A Planning to Adapt to Climate Change Action Plan has been put in place to ensure
that all areas of the Council’s services are covered. Level 0 was declared in 2009/10
with an aim to progress to Level 1 in 2011, prior to the National Indicator set being
scrapped.
5.3
Plans for the future
There are a number of plans that have been made to further improve carbon emissions from
the Council’s own services. These include:
14

Improving data collection and analysis tools through the use of online forms, and
developing a future goal of becoming a paper-light office.

The procurement of an Asset Management Register to allow all relevant building use,
energy and maintenance data to be collected in one place.

Creation of a comprehensive Staff Awareness campaign (including a dedicated
Climate Change page on the new Intranet once it is up and running with the creation
of flyers and posters for staff to use and monthly updates on progress made).

Expansions of a Green Champions network where keen and interested staff from all
departments and services take on the challenge of spreading the word through team
meetings and by attending specific training events.

Reviewing office locations, supporting home working, encouraging staff to use
more sustainable forms of travel and procuring green fleet vehicles. These
actions contribute to the Council’s need to manage the impacts of staff travel
requirements, and reduce the need for staff to travel where possible.
Mansfield District Council
Creating a District where People can Succeed
5.4
What has Mansfield District Council already done at community level?
5.4.1

Householders
Consultation has been carried out (2009) through the Citizens Panel to determine
levels of understanding about Climate Change and energy efficiency. Complementing
this work, awareness raising has continued through constant community engagement
through events and work carried out with partners including the Energy Saving Trust
and the Carbon Trust.

A Joint Housing Strategy (with Ashfield and Newark and Sherwood District Councils)
has been drawn up with an Action Plan that covers cutting CO2 emissions across all
three areas.

The Affordable Warmth Strategy 2003 contained plans to help improve levels of
insulation and energy efficiency within Mansfield households and led to the setting up
of the Council backed “Crestra” insulation scheme. This offers a 50% discount on loft
and cavity wall insulation to residents, is funded by the Housing Department and is
run through Groundwork Creswell.

Through the Council’s Decent Homes programme, 7666 tonnes CO2 have been
saved across the district by the installation of energy efficient boilers, replacement of
coal fires, and the installation of loft, cavity wall and external wall insulation.

The Council has agreed to work with the Energy Saving Trust and the Energy Agency
who are able to offer advice to the public and help them to obtain relevant funding to
allow energy efficiency and carbon reduction work to be carried out.

Mansfield District Council has a good involvement within local partnerships and
working groups and has had direct input into the Mansfield Community Strategy “The
Big Picture”.

A week of Energy Efficiency Awareness events took place in the summer of 2010, in
conjunction with the Energy Saving Trust and Severn Trent Water. Over 160 people
asked about energy saving and received advice to at these events, and free
television power down packs were distributed. Also, 33 people made a climate
change pledge to save energy which will reduce emissions by 42 tonnes when they
put their pledges into action.
Managing Director – Ruth Marlow
Civic Centre, Chesterfield Road South, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG19 7BH.
Telephone 01623 463463 Fax 01623 463900 e-mail [email protected] website: www.mansfield.gov.uk
15
5.4.2


5.4.3

16
Business
Signposting to relevant energy saving advice (e.g. to Business Link and the Carbon
Trust) is available through the Business and Economic Development Team.
The creation and distribution, through the internal Business and Economic
Regeneration team of an Energy Advice Pack for local businesses, to allow them to
implement energy saving measures. A “Green breakfast” meeting took place early in
2011 to help signpost local businesses to the help and advice available to them, to
help them cut their costs and reduce emissions.
Transport
Mansfield District Council is working in partnership with Nottinghamshire County
Council on the proposal to improve the Mansfield Bus Station, offering a major
improvement to the quality of the bus waiting environment and encouraging more
people to travel by public transport.
Mansfield District Council
Creating a District where People can Succeed
5.5
Plans for the future
5.5.1

Households
A further Citizen’s Panel consultation is planned for 2011 to identify where further
work on climate change needs to be targeted e.g. raising general awareness or
specific topics such as travel.

The creation of a Sustainable Design and Development Strategy.

Mansfield District Council is taking part in county-wide research into establishing a
sustainable energy target evidence-base.

Preparation of guidance on retrofitting micro-generation technologies into existing
properties.

The creation of a Joint Fuel Poverty Strategy (with Ashfield and Newark & Sherwood
District Councils) to focus on meeting the Government’s targets of eradicating fuel
poverty by 2016.
5.5.2


5.5.3


Business
The creation of joint staff training to allow external staff to benefit from MDC internal
training on energy efficiency etc.
The Economic Development Team will help to improve links with local businesses
and SMEs through the creation of a “green” questionnaire, aiming to find out what
would benefit them the most.
Transport
Promotion of sustainable travel, e.g. cycling, use of public transport and car sharing
will encourage more people to travel sustainably.
A Green Travel Plan will be created for the Council, leading to the possible creation of
a green travel planning service, available to all local businesses.
Managing Director – Ruth Marlow
Civic Centre, Chesterfield Road South, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG19 7BH.
Telephone 01623 463463 Fax 01623 463900 e-mail [email protected] website: www.mansfield.gov.uk
17
6
Action Plan
Meeting Mansfield’s four Strategic Objectives will demand input from all partners across the
district, and the actions detailed below will allow Mansfield’s wish to become a Low Carbon
Council to become a reality.
The Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) was initially set up in June 2009 to determine what
actions needed to be taken to progress Climate Change objectives. It was updated in 2011 to
show progress made to date, and will be updated at quarterly intervals after the strategy has
been completed to ensure progress is being made and to allow any barriers to be identified
and overcome.
Objective One
To develop a corporate approach to climate change mitigation and energy reduction.
Actions
1. Develop and Adopt a Mansfield District Council climate change strategy addressing
CO2 mitigation, energy reduction and climate change adaptation.

Preparation of the strategy has been completed.
2. Ensure staff and member awareness and commitment to the Council’s Climate
Change Strategy work.

Staff and Member training will be carried out with help from the Energy Saving
Trust’s Carbon Leaders Network to ensure continual improvement.

The internal staff Induction pack now contains climate change and energy
efficiency information and a variety of training has been developed and is
being rolled out to all new and existing staff. Green induction information is
currently being created for incoming Elected Members.
A Building Maintenance Efficiency Training manual was created in 2010, with help
from the EST and the maintenance team at the Civic Centre. An Efficiency Workshop
was run in July 2010 as part of the Carbon Management Programme to allow building
and site managers to understand their roles in saving energy and money for the
Council. This training will be repeated when required, and will be available on the
staff Intranet to download.
Objective Two
To reduce energy use and CO2 emissions in Mansfield District Council’s own estate by
35% by 2013/14 from a baseline of 2008/09.
Actions
3. To promote MDC as a leading figure in Energy Efficiency and reducing CO2
emissions.
 Continuing publicity of all projects will be key to ensuring that MDC is seen as
a leading figure in Climate Change mitigation.
 The Council will act as a central figure for advice giving and signposting to
businesses, community groups and householders. The Council will lead by
example and at the same time take advantage of the techniques and experiences
of partners to help advance knowledge and skills across the district.
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Mansfield District Council
Creating a District where People can Succeed
4. The Council will continue to build on the information gathered as part of the baseline
year (2008/09) and will identify further strategic improvements in efficiency and CO2
savings.
 Through regular updating of the Carbon Management Plan and Climate
Change Action Plan, strategic improvements can be seen and risks and
opportunities identified. This will become more challenging over time as
improvements are made and it will not be as easy to make more.
 Strategic planning and joint working with partners will have to be undertaken
to allow a further dramatic improvement.
5. Improve energy efficiency in the office environment.
 A network of Green Champions will be set up within MDC to ensure all teams
have a representative who can feed back relevant climate change and energy
efficiency information to them.
 Best Practise guidelines will be offered to local businesses through free
training, email updates and regular publicity.
6. Develop procurement policy relating to climate change.
 A Sustainable Procurement Policy has been created within MDC and this will
be used as a tool to further improve the Council’s overall carbon footprint.
 Identifying whole life procurement in order to quantify CO2 emissions including
costs, emissions and disposal etc will be included in all pre qualification
questionnaires.
 Explore the procurement of Solar PV panels on housing stock and other
corporate properties in order to take advantage of the Feed in Tariff prior to its
review in 2012 and investigate the use of technologies that are eligible for the new
Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).
Managing Director – Ruth Marlow
Civic Centre, Chesterfield Road South, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG19 7BH.
Telephone 01623 463463 Fax 01623 463900 e-mail [email protected] website: www.mansfield.gov.uk
19
Objective Three
To reduce CO2 emissions across the district by 20% by 2020 from a baseline year of
2007.
Actions
7. To work in partnership towards supporting reductions in energy use and CO2
emissions within the district and relate this to Action 3.
 Work with MASP to build Sustainable Community links.
 Increase awareness of the issues surrounding climate change and what is
already being achieved through Community Action by promotion of local
farmers markets (food miles), allotment associations (grow your own) and
Eco-congregations and Eco-teams within the district.
 A Defra report ‘Climate Change and UK Nature Conservation‘ identified the
need for BAPs (Biodiversity Action Plans) and Habitat and Species Action
Plans to consider climate change. The Council will work with Nottinghamshire
Wildlife Trust to ensure that these actions are implemented.
8. Address future contributions to climate change from new development and changes
to existing buildings. (Working with Planning Policy, Development Control, Building
Control, Conservation and Regeneration Teams).
 The Sustainable Energy Policy framework was completed in 2009 and will be
taken forwards through the LDF in 2011.
 Issues and options consultation on the LDF was completed in August 2010,
work is now continuing on the next document.
 Opportunities to develop decentralised sustainable energy within Mansfield
are being looked at through regional work taking place through RIEP. The
draft report will be available in January 2011 with a final report scheduled for
March 2011.
9. Address Business and Regeneration contributions to climate change and mitigation /
adaptation.
 Working with Business Link to help local businesses reduce their energy use
and costs.
 Helping businesses produce Green Action Plans, including staff travel plans.
 Publicise where small businesses can get help and advice to allow them to
put energy efficiency measures in place.
10. To address Domestic Housing energy use, improve efficiency and reduce fuel
poverty (including targets set for NI187).
 Create a Joint Fuel Poverty Strategy (with Ashfield and Newark and
Sherwood District Councils and link it to the Nottinghamshire Affordable Warmth
Strategy that is being prepared in 2011.
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Mansfield District Council
Creating a District where People can Succeed
 Continue work under the Decent Homes Standard and look towards ‘hard to
treat’ homes e.g. solid wall properties, for ways to improve efficiency.
 Continue to publicise the “Crestra” discounted insulation scheme and make
the public aware of insulation and energy efficiency grants from energy
suppliers.
 Continue to publicise Warm Front energy efficiency grants to those who
qualify for them, and ensure that any “top up grants” are available where costs
are above grant levels.
11. To address travel CO2 contributions
 Put procedures in place for easy determination of all travel and commuting
contributions through MDC staff, promote walking and cycling to work and the
systems/schemes in place to help this.
 Promote existing car share schemes within Nottinghamshire and start a
scheme for Mansfield District Council staff (examples of benefits may include:
priority car parking near to offices, promotion of car sharing for travel to
meetings, the benefits of web and phone meetings and introduce “walking
meetings”.
 Create a Travel Plan for Mansfield District Council and work towards one for
Mansfield to ensure reduced emissions, pollution and reliance on cars both at
home and at work.
12. Raise awareness of what the public can do to address climate change, improve
Energy Efficiency and improve access to resources.
 Create a specific website page focused on climate change including top tips
on a variety of topics (energy, water, waste etc), regular information and publicity
in the local press, presentations for community groups and Eco Teams.
 Enhance current community links and create new ones. Encourage learning
and increased environmental knowledge across the district.
 Work in partnership across authorities and across internal departments to
publicise all aspects of climate change.
Managing Director – Ruth Marlow
Civic Centre, Chesterfield Road South, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG19 7BH.
Telephone 01623 463463 Fax 01623 463900 e-mail [email protected] website: www.mansfield.gov.uk
21
Objective Four
To address climate change adaptation within the district
Actions
13. Develop a plan for addressing Adaptation to climate change and move to (the
equivalent of NI188) Level 1 in 2011 and Level 2 in 2013.
 Ensure that senior officers, corporate management team, and elected
members are aware of the commitment to Adapting to climate change and
have a sound understanding of identified vulnerabilities/risks.
 Work with small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to identify the specific
risks that climate change may pose to their business and ensure that they are
well prepared to adapt. Where possible encourage companies to complete a
risk assessment following the template used by Mansfield District Council.
 Identify the specific sectors that will be able to benefit from climate change
and work with these to ensure they maximise these opportunities.
 Identify specific tourist spots that may benefit (e.g. Sherwood Forest and
Clumber Park are close by and tourism may be increased within Mansfield as a
result); work with these areas to ensure they maximise the opportunity, whilst
minimising environmental damage through over-use.
 It is expected that all other regions will be maximising their own tourism
potential also. For this reason, the Sherwood Forest area needs to ensure that it
markets attractions carefully and works closely with the EMDA Tourism Strategy
2003 – 2010 and local tourist offices.
7
Conclusion
This strategy is an important document for Mansfield District Council and is not intended to
sit on a shelf after completion. It sets out the Council’s commitment to dealing with future
climate change impacts, and highlights how these future changes will affect the district. As a
community leader, the Council must help others to both adapt and mitigate to climate change
in the future, and must lead by example to meet the future challenges facing the district.
22
Mansfield District Council
Creating a District where People can Succeed
8
References
1. IPCC, 2007: Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working
Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
[Solomon, S., D. Qin, M. Manning, Z. Chen, M. Marquis, K. B. Averyt, M. Tignor, and H. L.
Miller (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge United Kingdom and New York, NY,
USA, 996 pp.
2. Met Office (www.metoffice.gov.uk/climatechange)
3. UK Climate Projections, Defra (2010)
(http://ukclimateprojections.defra.gov.uk/content/view/1384/543/)
4. Earth Systems Research Lab, NOAA, Mauna Loa, Hawaii. 2010
(http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/ccgg/trends/co2_data_mlo.html)
5. Stern Review – Report (2006)
6. International Energy Agency (IEA) www.iea.org
7. COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL AND THE
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2007) Renewable Energy Road Map:
Renewable energies in the 21st century: building a more sustainable future.
(http://ec.europa.eu/energy/energy_policy/doc/03_renewable_energy_roadmap_en.pdf)
8. Climate Change Act 2008
(http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2008/ukpga_20080027_en_1#Legislation-Preamble)
9. Fuel Poverty covers those spending 10%+ of their income to heat their homes to an
adequate standard.
10. Warm Homes, Greener Homes; A Strategy for Household Energy Management.
(www.decc.gov.uk)
11. The UK Low Carbon Transition Plan
(http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/publications/lc_trans_plan/lc_trans_plan.aspx)
12. 'Energy Services for Sustainable Communities' a Local
Government Position Statement on Energy, in 1998
13. Mansfield District Council Carbon Management Plan 2010
14.
DECC NI186 data – Local and Regional CO2 emissions estimates for 2005-2008
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/climate_change/gg_emissions/uk_emission
s/2008_local/2008_local.aspx
Managing Director – Ruth Marlow
Civic Centre, Chesterfield Road South, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG19 7BH.
Telephone 01623 463463 Fax 01623 463900 e-mail [email protected] website: www.mansfield.gov.uk
23