St. Helens Climate Change Action Plan
March 2009
Review: March 2012
CONTENTS
Foreword4
Chapter 1What is Climate Change 5
Chapter 2Why does Climate Change matter to St Helens? 8
Chapter 3What have we done so far? 11
Chapter 4The Climate Change Action Plan – Where are we now? 14
Chapter 5The Climate Change Action Plan – What do we need to do 16
in the future?
A)HomeWhere are we now? 17
Actions 23
B)TransportWhere are we now? 33
Actions 36
C)Public & Third SectorWhere are we now? 43
Actions 51
D)BusinessWhere are we now? 72
Actions 76
Foreword
There are many challenges faced globally, but tackling Climate Change requires a huge effort by many millions of people at a local level, over an extended period of time. If this local effort is successful, the negative impacts faced globally will be averted.
The Climate Change Action Plan 2009-2012 brings together the contribution that local people and local organisations can make. There is no doubt that the task of reducing our impact needs to be shared. The introduction of a reduction in carbon, defined in law is welcomed and still leaves open the challenge of a Zero Carbon Britain, taking a global lead on climate change.
There are many good things happening at the moment to reduce our energy use and the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The plan of action builds on this. It is split into 4 key elements, Home; Transport; Public & Third Sector; and Business. The actions will improve economic, environmental and social performance; at the speed necessary to prevent damage beyond repair.
The strength of any plan is to monitor its success and this will be done frequently and reported widely to residents, businesses and elected members. There is much to be done but this plan literally shapes our future actions. It aims to protect the environment, save natural resources, reduce energy use, increase the role of renewable energy and to help support employment and economic growth.
There are a huge number of people and organisations committed to making a positive contribution to Climate Change. This plan expresses their wishes and sets out who will be responsible for achieving them.
Councillor KavanaghPaul Sanderson
Portfolio Member, Environmental ProtectionDirector of Environmental Protection
Chapter One – What is Climate Change?
This chapter aims to give an overview of Climate Change, looking at the causes and consequences, and what can be done to halt the impacts. It begins with defining some of the terminology used in the subject;
-Climate refers to the average weather experienced over a long period, typically 30 years. This includes temperature, wind and rainfall patterns. The Earth’s climate has changed many times in response to natural causes.
-Climate Change is defined by the United Nations as referring only to changes in climate that can be attributed to human activity. Furthermore, the use of the term Climate Change usually refers to changes that have occurred since the early 1900s.
-Global warming vs. Climate Change - Global warming refers to the increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere. Climate Change refers to the changes in climate that might accompany the warming of the atmosphere, such as changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather and sea level rise. Many people use these expressions interchangeably. However, the word warming may be misleading, as it doesn’t embrace the full range of impacts of Climate Change.
What affects Climate Change?
Both natural and human factors affect our global climate. Natural causes include interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere, changes in the Earth's orbit and volcanic eruptions. Human activity influences the global climate by releasing greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane, into the atmosphere. These gases absorb energy that is radiated from the Earth’s surface, thus warming the atmosphere and increasing temperatures globally.
In 2007, the Inter Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world’s most authoritative body on Climate Change, concluded that “most of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic (man-made) greenhouse gas concentrations”.
The Greenhouse Effect
The Earth is kept warm by the greenhouse effect. Certain gases in the atmosphere (so-called ‘greenhouse gases’) absorb energy that is radiated from the Earth’s surface, and thus warm the atmosphere. The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon without which life on Earth, as we know it would not be possible, as the Earth would be 30°C cooler. However, our modern lifestyles have resulted in the release of large amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, thus enhancing the greenhouse effect and so pushing up temperatures globally.
At present, about 6.5 billion tonnes of CO2 is emitted globally each year, mostly through burning coal, oil and gas for energy. Changes in land use, such as deforestation, also contribute significantly to carbon emissions.
How is the Climate Changing?
At a Global Level
Average surface air temperature is the most useful way to describe the state of global climate. Expressed as a global average, temperatures have increased by about 0.74°C over the past 100 years (1906 to 2005), with about 0.4°C of this warming occurring since the 1970s. The ten warmest years on record have all occurred since 1990, with 1998 as the warmest, and it is likely that the last 100 years was the warmest century in the last millennium.
At a UK Level
Average temperatures have increased by 0.7°C in the UK since 1659. Of that, a rise of around 0.5°C occurred in the 20th century. Summers have become hotter and drier, and winters are milder and wetter. After adjusting for natural land movements, the average sea level around the UK is now about 10cm higher than it was in 1900. Further sea level rises around the UK would increase the risk of flooding and coastal erosion.
What is likely to happen as a result of Climate Change in the future?
Most climate scientists agree that the world is going to get warmer. In 2007, the IPCC concluded that the likely range of global average warming by the end of this century is between 1.1 and 6.4°C, relative to 1980-1999.
The type, frequency and intensity of extreme events such as heatwaves, droughts and floods are expected to change as the Earth’s climate changes. In a warmer future climate, there will be an increased risk of more intense, more frequent and longer-lasting heatwaves, such as the European heatwave of 2003 (which resulted in 30,000 deaths). Most global climate models project that a warming of future climate results in increased summer dryness and winter wetness for many places in northern middle and high latitudes (like the UK), indicating a higher risk of winter flooding and summer droughts.
The UK will be warmer and this will certainly bring some potential opportunities. However, we are also likely to experience more extreme weather and we need to start planning now to deal with the consequences, such as additional flooding, drought and sea level rise. There are also likely to be serious implications for other parts of the world, and effects on, for example on the global trade network, that will have an impact on the UK.
What can we do about Climate Change?
Experiments using global climate models show that when we reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, we reduce the rate of rise of average global temperatures and so lessen the rate and impacts of Climate Change. We can therefore slow the rate of warming by changing our behaviour.
Further warming is already inevitable due to the time-lag in the climate system, but action we take to reduce emissions now will limit warming in the latter half of this century. This will help to avoid dangerous, runaway Climate Change. To deal with the warming that is already ‘locked in’ we will need to adapt our societies and infrastructure to deal with Climate Change impacts.
CO2from burning fossil fuels for energy is the main source of man-made greenhouse gases. Therefore action to reduce emissions is necessarily centred on the more sustainable use of energy.
Other greenhouse gas emissions sources besides burning fossil fuels include methane from waste decomposing in landfills, methane and nitrous oxide from agriculture, CO2and methane from land use change, chloro-fluoro carbons (CFCs) from refrigeration and halon gases from fire suppression systems and manufacturing processes. Avoidance, minimisation, and switching to less damaging alternatives is also required for these emissions.
Chapter Two – Why does Climate Change Matter to St. Helens?
The previous chapter has highlighted why Climate Change presents such a challenge, not only for the UK, but worldwide. St. Helens has a part to play in addressing this challenge and helping to ensure a sustainable future for our community. This chapter outlines the global and national policy context that supports actions being taken to address Climate Change, and considers it at a local level and the commitments for St. Helens.
Global
The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) sets an overall framework for international efforts to tackle the challenge of Climate Change and has been ratified by 191 countries. Under the convention, governments work together to gather and share information on greenhouse gases, national policy and best practice and launch national strategies for mitigation and adaptation.
The Kyoto Protocol under the UNFCC, sets out the key international legal agreement between the majority of industrialised countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions by a collective 5% from 1990 levels, by 2012. The UK ratified the Kyoyo Protocol in April 2003.
In addition, the Treasury published the most comprehensive review carried out on the economics of Climate Change called the Stern Review. This report concluded that Climate Change is an economic issue, in which ‘the benefits of strong and early action far outweigh the economic costs of not acting’. The impact of Climate Change will be the most severe for the poorest communities.
European
The European Climate Change Programme works towards meeting the Kyoto Protocol and includes independent binding targets for EU countries to move beyond Kyoto and by 2020. The European Commission announced their plans for a common European energy policy in January 2007. The plans aim to make Europe the most energy efficient region in the world by cutting carbon dioxide emissions by at least 20% by 2020. Further targets for increasing the share of renewable energy supply are also set for 20% of the EU energy market by 2020.
National
UK Climate Change Programme
The UK Climate Change Programme 2006 built on the work of the 2000 programme, in which the UK committed to a 12.5% cut in Greenhouse gases compared to 1990 levels by 2008–12, as part of the commitment of the EU.The package of measures in the Programme are projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to 15-18% below 1990 levels – the new measures saving 12 million tonnes of carbon by 2010. The Climate Change Programme set out the Government’s commitments both at international and domestic levels to meet the challenge of Climate Change. This was further strengthened by the Climate Change Act and the Energy Act in 2008.
Climate Change Act 2008
In November 2008, the UK passed legislation that introduced the world’s first long term legally binding framework to tackle the dangers of Climate Change. The Act aims to improve carbon management and help the transition towards a low carbon economy in the UK, and
to demonstrate strong UK leadership internationally. Key provisions include the creation of a Committee on Climate Change, a Carbon Budgeting System and legally binding targets (Greenhouse gas emission reductions through action in the UK and abroad of at least 80% by 2050, and reductions in CO2 emissions of at least 26% by 2020, against a 1990 baseline.) In December, the Committee on Climate Change indicated interim targets to bring about decarbonisation of key sectors of activity.
Actions undertaken by local authorities will be critical to the achievement of these objectives. This will include taking a strategic approach to sustainability, as well as improvement to areas such as estates, planning, housing, transport, economic development, regeneration and appropriate adaptation to Climate Change.
Energy Act 2008
The Energy Act implements the legislative aspects of the 2007 Energy White Paper: Meeting the Energy Challenge. It updates the legislative framework by putting in place new legislation to:
-reflect the availability of new technologies (such as Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS)and emerging renewable technologies),
-correspond with our changing requirements for security of supply infrastructure (such as offshore gas storage),
-ensure adequate protections for the environment and the tax payer as the energy market changes.
It sits alongside the Planning Act and Climate Change Act, to ensure that legislation underpins the long-term delivery of the Governments energy and climate change strategy.
Regional
Northwest Climate Change Action Plan 2007-09
This plan outlines twin objectives to reduce regional greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to Climate Change effects. For our region to meet 2020 targets of 30% reduction of 1990 levels, the region must reduce emissions by another 5 million tonnes – this equates to a total of 14 million tonnes of CO2. However, regional emissions are moving in the wrong direction as the Northwest emitted 6 million more tonnes between 1990 and 2004 making the total reduction needed, assuming levels do not go up further, 20 million tonnes by 2020.
The Northwest Climate Change Action Plan Progress Report 2008 indicated that the past year has seen a significant increase in action across the region to achieve the 2020 vision. The Year 1 programme has focused on building the capacity of the regional governance bodies and sub-regional partnerships to deliver the Climate Change Action Plan. This work has also addressed communications development and has begun to build on the regional evidence base to ensure that future actions are better informed.
Local
The Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change
The Nottingham Declaration recognises the central role of local authorities in leading society's response to the challenge of Climate Change. By signing the declaration councils pledge to systematically address the causes of climate change and to prepare their community for its impacts. Over 300 English local authorities have now signed the declaration and in 2007, St.Helens Council signed up to the Nottingham Declaration. In doing so, the council has pledged to take action to improve its environmental performance, to reduce carbon emissions from its operations and communities and adapt to the impact of Climate Change.
A recent study undertaken by the Stockholm Environment Institute has calculated St.Helens ecological footprint as 5.38 global hectares per person, which is slightly below the national average of 5.4. The footprint attempts to provide a complete picture of the environmental impacts of consumption patterns including transport, consumables and waste, services, food, building and residential energy as well as shared resources such as the health service. Although this footprint is slightly below average, there is much more work needed to ensure a sustainable future for all.
Chapter Three- What have we done so far?
Throughout the borough, a number of measures and policies have already been introduced to ensure we reduce our impact on the environment. It has been incorporated into both corporate and partnership policy, and some current initiatives have already helped to reduce our emissions. We have been recognised for our efforts and achieved a number of awards including;
- Green Civil Engineering Project Of The Year 2007
St Helens Council and Birse Civils - A58 Blackbrook Diversion
- Community Stewardship Award for the Public Sector, Merseyside 21 Awards 2007
- 9 Green Flag Park Awards
National Standard Award for Quality Parks
- Environmental Innovation and Technology Award, Groundwork Merseyside 21 Awards 2006
Bulky Household Items recycling and re-use
This chapter looks in more detail at the current local policy commitments, and what they mean for the Climate Change agenda.
Current Policy Commitments
St.Helens Sustainable Community Plan 2008-18
The Sustainable Community Plan outlines the local and national aims for the area for the next decade, as agreed by all partners in the area and Central Government. It heads an extensive network of strategies, partnerships, and delivery arrangements. There is a clear commitment in the plan to sustainable development– which ‘is about making social, economic and environmental progress hand in hand, not in one area at the expense of others, in order to ensure a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come’.
The plan also contains the LSP concordat which outlines how partners will work together, and all the partners have agreed to the principle of sustainable development ‘We support action on sustainability - making the region a healthy, safe place to live with a high quality of life; protecting the environment; reducing Climate Change; saving resources; encouraging renewable energy; supporting employment and growing a thriving, prosperous economy.’
St.Helens Local Area Agreement 2008-11
The commitment in the Sustainable Community Plan is followed though into the Local Area Agreement 2008-11 – the three year delivery plan for this strategy. The Local Area Agreement was signed off in June 2008 and incorporates 33 designated indicators and 5local indicators. Included in these are 4 indicators that deal specifically with issues concerning Climate Change;
- N185 – Percentage CO2 reductions from Local Authority emissions
- N187 – Percentage of households in receive of income benefits who live in a low energy efficiency home
- N192 – Percentage of household waste arisings which have been sent for recycling
- N195 –Percentage of relevant land and highways that is assessed as having deposits of detritus/litter that fall below an acceptable level
The inclusion of these indicators represents a shared commitment to improving performance in these priority areas.