Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Kirklees Metropolitan CouncilHelena Tinker

A Case Study of EMAS implementation and

Increasing the uptake of EMS in UK local authorities.

Discussion Points

• Background to KMC and EMAS implementation

• Some examples of environmental projects

• UK EMS Networking project

Background to Kirklees• North of England - Yorkshire• A region with 2 main towns• Main towns - Huddersfield, Dewsbury• 400,000 population • 19,000 employees• 800 buildings• 26 Local Authority departments

Background - EMAS

• Environmental Policy 1996• Adopted EMAS 1998• Committed to a 3 year implementation plan – 2000• Year 1 - 9 departments• Year 2 - 18 departments• Year 3 - All 26 departments succeeded in 2003

Critical Success Factors• Political and senior mgt support/commitment• Environmental issues high on agenda• Financial resources• Enthusiasm of officers• Support from officers in departments• Simplicity of EMS approach• On going training during implementation

• 30% reduction in CO2 emissions from a 1990 baseline by 2005

• By end of financial year 2004/05 KMC reduced its emissions by 30.1%

• 2006 new target - 30% reduction from 2005 baseline to be achieved by 2020

EMAS to continue to be a mechanism that ensures all services stick to climate change commitments

KMC Climate Change Targets

Renewable Energy ProjectsNow have a number of renewable energy installations on Council buildings – awareness raising

Now producing 4.9% of the total UK solar electricity

Largest domestic solar Electricity project in the UK

Benefit – Depots and Legal Compliance

Waste Lighting Storage

BEFORE AFTER

Depots and Legal Compliance

New Initiatives – Still lots to do!• Sustainable design and construction

of council new buildings- green design guide

• Warm zones project – energy efficiency advice to all households with free loft and cavity wall installation

• Green fleet review – (carbon footprint)

• Looking at feasibility of Micro hydro power in Kirklees

Yorkshire EMS Networking Group• KMC and 2 other LA established the group in

2004

• Since then 7 other councils have joined.

• Sharing best practice on EMAS

• Discuss problems

• Invite useful guest speakers

• Rotate venue between LA’s

• No funding

More EMS Network Groups - Why?

• Many calls from other LA in the UK wanting advice/help

• No free help for LA on EMS in the UK

• Learn from our experience including our mistakes!

• Success of our Yorkshire EMS group

• Defra Funding – central Government

Progress to Date• 4 more Network Groups in the UK• Each group has approximately 10-15 Local

Authority members• Powerful message to central government –

Local Authorities doing their bit• All Local Authorities have an EMS or are

working towards one• 2 meetings in each region have been held• Training/ sharing best practice etc

National Networking

Summary

• EMAS is a good tool to help your municipalities drive environmental improvements

• Help set and drive CO2 reduction targets • Also good to help work towards Aalborg Commitments• Contact your neighbouring local authority and share

ideas • Set up an environmental/ EMS group in your region –

help each other and the job is much easier!

Thank You for Listening