AGENDA ITEM 7
WEST OF ENGLAND PARTNERSHIP
PLANNING TRANSPORT AND ENVIRONMENT GROUP
6th December 2007
Report by Joint Transport Team
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES – Climate Change
Purpose of Report
At the 7th September 2007 Planning, Transport and Environment Group (PTEG) meeting it was resolved that a report on environmental issues be brought to the next meeting on 6th December 2007.
This report sets out an overview on climate change issues and identifies possible areas of future work for PTEG.
Background and Issues
The United Kingdom has taken a strong lead on climate change. Measures have been set out in the recent Climate Change Bill, Energy and Planning White Papers. The aim is to achieve long term targets to reduce carbon emissions by 60% by 2050. Short term targets will also be set.
The Stern report (October 2006) outlined that 1% of the UK’s Gross Domestic Product was needed annually to respond to climate change.
The South West as a whole accounts for 8% of the UK’s total carbon emissions. A breakdown for the West of England is shown in Figure One.
Transport in the South West is a major source of CO2 emissions (27%). In the West of England area it is even higher at 36% compared to 20% nationally. The Joint Local Transport Plan (JLTP) CO2 assessment study (October 2006) found:
- CO2 emissions growth would be limited to 8% by 2011 with all the JLTP measures and the Greater Bristol Bus Network major scheme bid implemented compared to 18% growth without intervention.
- Increase could be pegged back to 2% with efficiency improvements in the vehicle fleet.
The Greater Bristol Strategic Transport Study (July 2006) predicted a 26% growth in CO2 by 2031 even with the full implementation of the Study’s measures. With road user charging this dropped to 22% by 2031.
Figure One: Main Sources of Carbon dioxide emissions in the West of England - % of total emissions 2005 (Source: DEFRA 2007)
Future Work Areas
Given the seriousness of climate change and CO2 emissions PTEG may wish to consider undertaking study work at a sub regional level to better understand the implications and propose possible measures. Much work is already being done at a local level with all authorities having work programmes and strategies to tackle climate change. There are also a number of local initiatives working with national agencies such as the Carbon Trust, Energy Saving Trust, Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment and Forum for the Future.
Four areas of possible sub regional work have been identified. Members may wish to suggest other areas.
Area One: Sub Regional Carbon Management Matrix
The Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has produced a toolkit for local authorities to assess their current performance in reducing carbon emissions and identify ways to improve performance. Five areas of carbon management are identified - domestic, business and public sector energy efficiency, renewable energy and low carbon technologies and transport. Each is to be rated ‘weak,’ ‘fair,’ ‘good,’ or ‘excellent.’ Bristol City Council’s Climate Change Select Committee has already undertaken its own review using the Matrix.
The Carbon Management Matrix includes a test for sub regional impacts. It is proposed that the West of England Partnership and the 4 councils undertake a sub regional review using the five management areas of the Matrix. Consultants may be required given the Partnership’s limited resources. The councils may wish to undertake audits of their own activities alongside this review.
The findings can then be used to assist PTEG in developing recommendations to assist the four councils in improving their climate change actions.
Area Two: Local Development Frameworks and other strategies
Commission a study into investigating how the four councils’ Local Development Frameworks, Local Strategic Partnerships, Local Area Agreements, economic and regeneration strategies consider and incorporate climate change issues. Findings to be used to assist the four councils in further tackling climate change.
Area Three: Sustainable Mobility Project
The Sustainable Mobility Project being promoted by Forum for the Future has identified carbon measurement and reduction as a key topic for investigation. They propose to:
- Conduct an inventory of transport carbon emissions in the West of England to provide an appropriate evidence base and benchmark for target setting and future monitoring.
- Pilot a shadow tradable carbon quota system within a defined community or large organisation, monitoring travel behaviour and carbon usage from all residents/employees.
It is suggested that Forum for the Future be invited to present their plans at a future PTEG meeting with a view to PTEG assisting them in their work.
Area Four: Airport surface access, operation and construction
Carbon emissions from aviation are managed through a European carbon emissions trading scheme and as such cannot be directly influenced by regional or local policies. The South West Regional Assembly has decided to focus on ensuring that the emissions from airport construction, operation and surface access are reduced as much as possible. The Regional Assembly propose to establish a generic, sound model on which comparable assessments can be made to the CO2 emissions of other transport modes. Individual targets will then be set for each regional airport.
It is suggested that the Regional Assembly be invited to present their proposals to a future PTEG meeting with a view to PTEG assisting them in their work.
Proposed Timetable for PTEG work
February 2008 / June 2008 / September 2008 / November 2008Area One: Sub regional carbon management matrix / January 2008 WEPO and 4 councils undertake assessment. Appoint consultants if required. / Report on findings.
Area Two Local Development Frameworks and strategies / Consultants appointed to undertake study. / Consultants report back on findings.
Area Three: Sustainable Mobility Project / Invite Forum for the Future to present their plans. / Forum for the Future to report back on progress.
Area Four: Airport access / Regional Assembly to present their plans.
Recommendations
1) That the proposed timetable set out for work on climate change is approved.