Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Citation preview
Climate Local
Information WorkshopSmartLife Low Carbon Centre, Cambridge
Tuesday 16th October 2012
John RussonEnvironment & Performance Manager
Environment Agency
10.00 Chair’s welcome - John Russon, Environment & Performance Manager, Environment Agency
10.05 Introduction to Climate Local - Jess David and Kamal Panchal, Local Government AssociationQuestions / views from the floor
11.00 Views from Councils Matt Hullis, Suffolk County Council
Paul Hinsley, Essex County CouncilTim Napper, Hertfordshire County Council
11.30 Tea break11.40 Views from Partners
Environment Agency – Tom EllisSustainability East - David Webb
12.00 Facilitated group discussions & feedback 13.00 Chair’s closing remarks and next steps13.15 Lunch and networking
a better understanding of Climate Local
a better ability to communicate Climate Local to Members
a clearer understanding of whether signing will benefit your authority
an appreciation of whether a collective commitment would be worthwhile.
Climate LocalAn initiative to drive and support council-led action on climate change
Kamal PanchalSenior Advisor, LGAPhone: 020 7664 [email protected]
Jess David, Advisor, LGAPhone: 020 7664 [email protected]
Journey so far • Consultation with councils on the development
of the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change
• Development work for ‘Climate Local’ with partnership support from the EA – Jan-June 2012- new web pages- an information pack for councils - research on indicators and resources
• Launch of Climate Local 28th June 2012, mentioned in Ed Davey’s speech at the LGA Conference
• Establish Climate Local Steering Group - composed of council representatives and partners
Climate Local – wider context
Localism
Spending Cuts
No new statutory
duties
“one in one out”
MEDIA
NPPFLGA
restructure
GROWTH
LGA - funding outlook for councils
LGA exists to support, promote and improve local government. Local government is facing the most radical changes, as well as the most significant opportunities, in a decade. We will fight local government’s corner and support councils through challenging times, focusing our efforts where we can have real impact.
LGA Priorities
Priorities agreed in September 2012:
• Growth - with campaigns to assert the council role in driving growth through housing supply, including affordable housing
Climate Local – ‘a platform for local government to champion its leadership in helping communities to live within their environmental means’
• Waste – championing local innovation
• Sustainability and Climate Change – ensuring councils have resources to invest in energy efficiency, fuel poverty and resilience
• Flooding - ensuring flood defences are properly planned and funded, and that flood damage is funded and insured against.
Climate Local is …
• Locally led - an umbrella initiative to bring together and share local action
• Sector led – with a steering group of council reps
• Flexible – for councils to set their own actions and priorities within a broad framework
• Voluntary – no requirement for councils to sign
• A Platform - for councils to use, shape, drive and make useful
• A way for councils to help each other be ambitious on climate change – rather than being told by Government
Climate Local isn't ...
• Prescriptive – it allows for locally determined priorities
• A bureaucratic process – it’s designed to be light touch
• A central audit tool – the emphasis is on local accountability
• Exclusive – all councils will be able to access tools and resources
• A Spreadsheet you have to fill in
• All about signing a piece of paper – it’s the commitments that are important and sharing of information
How will it help Councils?
Sir Merrick Cockell, Chairman of the LGA: “The aim of Climate Local will be to drive and champion council-led action on climate change in a way which will ensure local authorities can get the best results and value for money with the resources they have available.”
Cllr Paul Carter, Leader of Kent County Council:“Climate Local is great opportunity for us to show leadership and practical action to cut energy bills for hard-pressed local families and businesses. We'll set local targets to address real priorities."
Cllr Alan Clark, Nottingham City Council: “We are really proud to be signing this agreement and to build on Nottingham’s heritage and achievements in tackling climate change. We will continue to improve our own energy use, create affordable energy for the city and encourage the growth of ‘green’ jobs. Climate Local will work with local people to set local action plans to tackle climate change.”
Steps for signing upSign up to the
commitment individually or as a partnership
(refresh and review in Y2)
LGA will provide a menu of actions and
commitments, but LAs can also set their own
LGA has provided a template for annual
progress and will look to develop LGA Inform tool
Councils encouraged to engage and share via
Knowledge Hub and their own websites
Headline Commitment
• A headline commitment to address the risks and opportunities presented by a changing climate, in line with local priorities
• 4 key elements:1) Setting locally-owned and determined commitments and actions;2) Publishing commitments, actions and progress;3) Sharing learning from experiences and achievements with other councils;4) Regularly refreshing commitments and actions to ensure they are current and continue to reflect local priorities.
• Underpinned by locally agreed commitments and actions
Climate Local councils
Commitment: We will implement the adaptation actions contained in our revised Climate Change Strategy
Justification: The Council is committed to: managing the risks to its staff, property and functions from climate change;supporting businesses and residents to manage climate change risks; and working in partnership to address the
effectsof climate change
Specific action(s) Measure Timescale
We will consult on the inclusion of a specific policy on climate change adaptation measures in the developing Local Plan
Consultation on a climate change adaptation policy completed
April 2013
We will contribute to the county-wide planning advice on minimising flood risk and incorporate
this into planning policy for the council
County-wide planning advice produced and incorporated into local planning policy
Spring 2014
We will explore opportunities to install sustainable drainage measures in council-owned properties and open spaces and private developments
Opportunities explored for the installation of sustainable drainage Measures
2016
We will explore how to protect the existing level of tree cover in the councils area and ways to increase stock in areas and land uses where canopy levels are low
Opportunities explored for direct actions (e.g. planting programmes) and indirect actions (e.g. guidance, use of planning obligations and support for the voluntary sector)
2016
We will consider the impact of climate change on native wildlife and develop plans to manage this
Existing Nature Conservation Strategy reviewed and management plans for Local Nature Reserves and other green spaces adjusted
2016
The LGA’s offer
• Provide support, resources and signposting service for councils– Over 2012-13 LGA will produce some dedicated materials for
Cllr portfolio holders and ward councillors
• Champion good practice through a range of different media, such as events, showcase reports, website features, and e-bulletins etc.– Spring 2013 LGA will launch a report to highlight council work
under Climate Local including measures to save money, promote growth etc
• Developing the Climate Local network as a forum to share learning amongst councils – open to all councils – Conference event in Spring 2013
The LGA’s Success Factors
• LGA continue to resource and promote CL
• Government recognises local authority action
• Government supports local authority action; does not impose it
• Councils feel CL is their resource and helps them improve and
develop their local actions
Climate Local
Information WorkshopSmartLife Low Carbon Centre,
Cambridge
Tuesday 16th October 2012
Protecting and enhancing our environment
Climate adaptation: managing the change
Climate mitigation: reducing the impact
The underlying cause and our treatment strategy
From ambition to delivery creating the golden thread and unlocking partners’ enthusiasm
To be exemplar in tackling climate change
and protecting and enhancing the local
environment.
“”
Delivery in action
Partnership with Climate Local?Why we didn’t sign up straight away.
What’s in it for all the partners working in Suffolk and the East of England?
Apart from enabling the network what will LGA do with all the information it collates?
As a partnership of local authorities we are happy to offer our councillors the opportunity to sign up to Climate Local, using our Climate Action Plan priorities, but would
like to understand how it would benefit our work.
Essex County Council’scurrent stance on Climate
Local*
• In the words of Paul Hinsley: Environment Project Officer.
Not necessarily a Corporate view
Current Position• Deal for Growth
• Economic Growth Strategy
• Integrated County Strategy
• Low Carbon Economy
• Corporate Plan 2012 - 2017
Opportunity
Contacts:
Paul Hinsley
Environment Project Officer
Email: [email protected] Tel: 01245 436308
Thank you
www.hertsdirect.org
Adapting to Climate Change at Hertfordshire County Council
Tim NapperSenior Project Officer - Climate Change and Sustainability
www.hertsdirect.org
Context / Background
•Nottingham Declaration•NI 188 framework – level 3•Internal Climate Change Board•CRC•Risk management approach
www.hertsdirect.org
The situation now
•Operational issue•Corporate Plan commitment•Review of approach post-NI 188
www.hertsdirect.org
Concerns / Issues
When does an extreme event become a regular operational issue?
• Timing• Central government steer• Maintaining high level commitment• Keeping focus on risk management/operational
issues
Climate Local
Information WorkshopSmartLife Low Carbon Centre,
Cambridge
Tuesday 16th October 2012
Tom EllisEnvironment Agency
David Webb
Sustainability East
Climate Local
Information WorkshopSmartLife Low Carbon Centre,
Cambridge
Tuesday 16th October 2012
John RussonEnvironment & Performance Manager
Environment Agency
