Rushmoor Borough Council's climate change strategy progress report 2013-2016

The publication of this progress report provides an overview of the council’s initial and sustained response to the growing threat of climate change. Although the effects of climate change are only just beginning to be felt locally, they are too serious to be ignored.

By starting early, we are helping to reduce the scale of climate change in the future so we can be better prepared to adapt to its impact. To ignore the situation and continue with ‘business as usual’ would have sent the wrong message to the community we serve. If the Council had failed to act, we would not be in a credible position to persuade others to.

Climate change has been caused by the activities of recent generations and so it would be unreasonable and unfair to expect future generations to ‘pay the bill’. I believe that it is essential for local authorities to take the lead in reversing the build-up of greenhouse gases, the cause of climate change, and help their communities adapt to the consequences of it.

It has been just eleven years since the council published its first climate change strategy and we are pleased with the considerable progress we have made in such a short time. The council has substantially reduced its consumption of electricity and gas through energy efficiency schemes and has invested in renewable energy.

We now have solar energy generating clean electricity on five of our buildings and our carbon footprint has reduced steadily year-on-year. The council has also carried out a full risk assessment to determine the likely impacts of climate change on the borough. In consultation with other service providers the council produced its first climate change adaptation action plan in 2009 so that we can be better prepared for extreme climate events in the future.

This short report gives you a flavour of our responses to climate change so far, the progress we have made and our intentions for the next five years. We hope that it encourages others to take up the same challenge so that the potentially devastating effects of climate change can be minimised.

Councillor Martin TennantCabinet member for

Environment and Service Delivery

Progress report and future actions 2013 - 2018

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Foreword


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1.0 Climate change explained in a few words

There have been steady increases in global temperatures since the industrial revolution, which started around 1750. However, it is the rise in recent decades that is now giving cause for concern.

Global warming or climate change is defined as the increase of the average temperature on earth. The main cause of the recent rise in worldwide temperature is the sharp increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. They are called this because like greenhouses, they keep heat in the atmosphere warming the earth. As global temperatures increase, so do natural disasters!

“Climate change is the biggest challenge facing the world... people must change their behaviour and their attitudes. If we care about our grandchildren then we have to do something, and we have to demand our governments do something”.

Sir David Attenborough, broadcaster and naturalist


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Carbon dioxide is the greenhouse gas causing most concern and is produced by the burning of all fossil fuels such as gas, coal, oil and petrol. Most of our electricity is generated by burning coal, oil and gas. The UK reduced its carbon emissions by 27% between 2005 and 2015.

Sources of UK carbon dioxide emissions in 2013

Transport 25%Energy generation 25%

Residential 17%Industry/business 16%

Other - such as agriculture, forestry and waste management 17%

The UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) established by the Government in 1997 has predicted climate change effects in the South-East resulting from climate change.

Those that are applicable to Rushmoor are:

1. A small increase in annual rainfall of between one and four per cent

2. Around a 20% increase in rainfall during winter months leading to increased risk of flooding

3. Around a 20% decrease in rainfall during summer months putting pressure on water supplies

4. Greater seasonal variation in climate with greater frequency of extreme weather events which could result in:

a. More storm and localised flooding damage

b. Droughts, heathland fires and subsidence during hot dry summers

c. Disruption caused by floods, heavy rain and snow

d. Tree, plant and wildlife losses as they are increasingly unable to adapt to a changing climate


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2.0 Reminder of the predicted changes to Rushmoor’s climate

Floods

Heathland fires (by kind permission of Hampshire Fire & Rescue ©)

Storm damage


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3.0 Rushmoor weather records already being broken

1. July 2006 was the hottest month in living memory with some residents suffering heat stress

2. August 2006 flash floods made 50 local families homeless, closed the A331 and caused a railway embankment landslip

3. January 2007 tornado and high winds brought down trees, caused power cuts and property damage

4. February 2007 was the start of our longest hosepipe ban (four months)

5. July 2007 54cms of rain fell in just six hours causing severe flooding in Aldershot and Cove where 18 homes had to be evacuated

6. March 2008 70mph winds brought down trees in Farnborough

7. September & November 2008 heavy rains caused surface water flooding

8. December 2008 to February 2009 was the severest winter for 18 years

9. July 2009 was the wettest July since records began

10. November 2009 was the wettest November on record

11. November 2012 had one of the wettest weeks in the last 50 years

12. October 2013 had one of the most severe storms in 40 years causing damage across southern England

13. December 2013 flooding across the U.K.

14. December 2013 - February 2014 experienced 12 major winter storms - the stormiest period of weather for decades

15. July 2015 set a new heatwave record with temperatures in the mid-30s and...

...16. September 2016 brought torrential downpours resulting in flash-flooding and travel disruption

SUMMARY14 of the 15 hottest years on record have come this century. Four out of five of the heaviest rainfalls have been in the last four years.

We conducted a search through newspaper articles to look for recent evidence of climate change affecting Rushmoor between 2006 and 2016:

The council firmly believes that climate change is something that should not be ignored and that we all have to act now to minimise the worst effects. For us, this means doing all we can to reduce our own greenhouse gas emissions and lead by example, helping our residents and businesses to reduce theirs and helping the borough adapt to a changing climate.

We published our Climate Change Strategy in 2006, which prioritised actions under ten themes; general / targets, energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable design and construction, waste and water, transport, procurement, biodiversity and habitats, education and awareness raising and adaptation to climate change.


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4.0 Rushmoor Borough Council’s approach to tackling climate change

Our main aims:

l To reduce carbon emissions associated with the delivery of our services by as much as we can l To raise awareness of climate change and help residents reduce their energy, fuel and water consumption l To work with our partners to ensure that the community can respond effectively to more extreme weather events l To encourage better use of resources, reduce waste and encourage the community to recycle l To develop and enforce policies to encourage more sustainable development and construction l To utilise, promote and encourage renewable energy in the borough l To manage and enhance local wildlife habitats to ensure that they are more resilient to a changing climate l To help developing countries protect themselves against climate change through Fairtrade l To improve local services and town centres to reduce the need to travel l To help businesses benefit from opportunities arising from climate change


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5.0 Achievements since our climate change strategy was produced in 2006

1. Success on carbon reductions

l The council’s carbon footprint has reduced by 21.6% since 2008

l Investments in energy efficiency have cut our electricity use by 34.6% and gas use by 14%

2. Global context

l Fairtrade Status for the borough achieved in 2008 to support the growth of sustainable farming methods globally

3. Energy efficiency

l ‘Energy Champions’ group formed in 2009 to help reduce energy use in our buildings

l Remote monitoring of utility meters to identify more opportunities for savings introduced in 2012

l Electricity consumption reduced by 72% at Aldershot Crematorium by replacing all lighting with LED with sensors and controls

l LED lighting at Princes Hall, Aldershot, is saving 30,000kWh of electricity a year

l Council supported Insulate Hampshire Scheme during 2012 which is saving Hampshire residents an estimated £1.9 million on energy bills through free home insulation and 7,850,000 kgCO2

l Farnborough Leisure Centre became the council’s first ‘A rated’ building for energy in 2012

l Aldershot High Street car park electricity use reduced by 70% as a result of a new lighting scheme

l State-of-the-art LED lighting scheme in Pinehurst car park, Farnborough has reduced electricity use by 43% while increasing light levels by 32%

Proudly promoting our Fairtrade status

State-of-the-art lighting in Pinehurst car park

3. Renewable energy

l Solar energy schemes installed on five council buildings produce nearly 37,000 kWh of ‘clean’ electricity per year

4. Sustainable design and construction

l The council adopted Core Policy 3 (CP3) in its Planning ‘Core Strategy’ in 2011:

a. Renewable energy targets and carbon savings considered in proposals for decentralised, renewable and low carbon energy sources

b. Planning applications for new buildings now need to demonstrate how they will help to deliver an ‘Energy Opportunities Plan’

c. Development proposals must include how sustainable construction standards and techniques will be employed

d. New homes must be built to Code Level 3

e. The council adopts Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) - a ‘very good’ standard for sustainable construction for major developments

l The council adopts supplementary planning document for the Aldershot Urban Extension that reflects best practice and includes challenging targets for sustainable design

5. Waste and water

l Water efficiency measures in the council offices reduced water consumption from 4,700m3 in 2008 to 1,750m3 in 2012 – a reduction of 63%.

l Glass recycling introduced for all households in 2009 (collected on the same vehicle as other recyclables, so no increase in fuel used)

l Battery recycling scheme introduced in 2012 to avoid pollution risk of batteries going for landfill or incineration

l Tree waste now chipped and used as mulch on council land to reduce need for watering

l Garden waste collection improved in 2009 to introduce wheeled bins. This service now has approximately 7,000 customers and diverts around 1,500 tonnes of waste into composting


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Princes Hall PV scheme

Garden waste collection service


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6. Transport

l Large investments to improve town centres to reduce the need to travel

l Improvements made to the cycle path network in consultation with users.

l Driver training and telemetrics improved our waste collection vehicles fuel efficiency by 7% saving 96,000 kgCO2 per year

l Home working scheme for council staff introduced in 2010 to reduce commuting

7. Procurement

l All paper used by the council is recycled and Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) approved to reduce deforestation since 2012

l Forestry Stewardship Certification (FSC) Bronze Status achieved

l All photocopiers default to duplex to save paper

l The council website improved to make access to information and on line services easier to reduce paper documentation

l All print room paper ‘carbon offset’ since January 2013

8. Biodiversity and habitats

l Rushmoor Urban Wildlife Group managed and supported to engage residents in practical habitat improvements

l Rushmoor’s second Biodiversity Action plan was published in 2016

l Schools engaged to create wildlife areas in school grounds through Rushmoor in Bloom

l Several wildlife habitats created and enhanced on public land including demonstration wildlife gardens in North Camp and the council offices and the renovation of Elles and Queen Elizabeth Park ponds.

l Residents encouraged and helped to ‘garden for wildlife’ especially in ‘green corridor zones’

l Core strategy strengthens protection for Rushmoor’s ‘green corridors’

Providing for cyclists

Promoting wildlife areas in schools through Rushmoor in Bloom


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9. Education and awareness raising

l New climate change and energy web pages introduced on the council’s website

l Scrolling energy information screens in the council office reception area

l Go Green in Rushmoor event launched in 2011 to raise awareness of climate change and other environmental issues

l Recycling Education Outreach Project launched for Rushmoor and Hart schools

l Joined the North Hampshire Sustainable Business Partnership to help local businesses become greener

l Home energy meter loan scheme introduced to educate councillors and council staff about energy efficiency

10.Adaptating to a changing climate in Rushmoor

l Research into extreme weather events affecting Rushmoor between 2000 - 2010 carried out to help plan for future events

l Rushmoor Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan published 2011 following extensive research and consultation

l Planning polices introduced in the Core Strategy to ensure new developments are more resilient to climate change risks and include a policy on green infrastructure

l Council produced a flood risk strategy in 2010 with updated emergency plans

l Production of a Council ‘General Snow Plan’ incorporating a ‘Waste Collection Snow Plan’ to maintain services has been operating since 2010 including the purchase of a snow plough

l Rushmoor contributed to a Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan for Hampshire

l Regular condition and maintenance surveys for council buildings to ensure resilience against extreme weather

l Business continuity and emergency call-out plans in place

l Uninterruptable power supplies, offsite data storage and sealed waterproof room to ensure council’s IT system functions during blackouts and flooding

l Regular recorded tree inspections to identify and make safe trees at risk from extreme weather

l More resilient tree and plant species and wildflower meadows now planted on council land

l Water awareness leaflets distributed to ask residents to help water highway trees in their neighbourhoods during droughts

Promoting greener lifestyles at Go Green


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1. General / targets

l Reduce the council’s carbon footprint by 30% from a 2008 baseline by more investment in energy and water efficiency measures

l Improve the energy efficiency rating of the council offices from ‘F’ to ‘C’ by investing in new air conditioning, heating, car park lighting and more energy efficient CCTV equipment

l Achieve Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) Silver Status by 2020

l Continue to increase support for Fairtrade locally

l Implement the Core Strategy planning policies to ensure new developments are sustainable

2. Energy efficiency

l Continue to ‘invest to save’ in energy efficiency schemes for council community buildings

l Expand remote utility monitoring scheme to other council buildings with high energy consumption

l Promote findings of a scheduled aerial thermal imaging survey to identify poorly insulated buildings in the borough to residents and businesses

l Support future Hampshire County Council projects, such as the collective energy switching scheme for residents in 2013

l Make available a series of independent information sheets on energy related topics to residents from summer 2013

l Support the implementation of Government schemes, such as ‘The Green Deal’ locally and working with other Hampshire authorities promoting the Solent Green Deal Project

l Support the Government energy efficiency grants for qualifying residents through joint working with Hampshire County Council

l Investigate working with a partner to provide funding for insulation to mobile homes

l Work in partnership with Vivid to promote insulation in hard to treat/heat homes

l Upgrade our CCTV suite with low energy monitors

l Consider becoming a partner authority in a future energy company in Hampshire to help residents struggling to pay energy bills

3. Renewable energy

l Continue to research and ‘invest to save’ in renewable energy schemes as opportunities arise

6.0 Our priorities for the next five years


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4. Sustainable design and construction

l Ensure that the Wellesley development is sustainable

l New homes must be built to Code Level 4 when updates to Part L of the Building regulations is enacted by Government in 2013

5. Waste and water

l Pursue more opportunities to reduce water consumption in council-owned buildings

l Recycling target increased to 50% recycled or composted waste by 2020

6. Transport

l Revise and implement council staff travel plan

l Develop a network of charge points for electric vehicles

7. Procurement

l All stationery to be recycled or Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) where available

l Consideration to be given to product life and carbon footprint prior to purchase

8. Biodiversity and habitats

l Designate new areas as Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs)

l Develop new wildflower planting areas on council-owned land

l Continue to support residents in wildlife-friendly gardening

l Monitor sites and species in the borough

l Continue to support the countywide ‘Total Environment’ initiative to bring physical environmental improvements to the borough

9. Education and awareness raising

l Continue with current events and initiatives

l Introduce a home energy meter loan scheme at libraries to educate residents about energy efficiency

10. Adaptation to a changing climate in Rushmoor

l Council support to be given to Hampshire task groups to ensure that the county is resilient to extreme weather events in all respects

l Ensure that the Rushmoor Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan is reviewed every three years

Wellesley, Aldershot

The first leaflets in the series will be:

l A Changing Climate

l Top Tips

l Insulation & Draught Proofing Your Home

l Transport and Travel

l Renewable Energy – Choices for the Home

l A Bit of Hot Water

l What a Waste

l Water, water everywhere? Not so much!

l Electricity

l Feeling the Heat

l Heating your Home with Electricity


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7.0 You can help

In partnership with other local authorities in Hampshire, free information leaflets are available from the council offices, at events and on our website. These will help residents to save money and reduce carbon emissions.

Want to know more?Our Climate Change Strategy 2006, ‘I can’t do anything about it……..can I?’ leaflet and this update ‘Tackling Climate Change in Rushmoor – Progress Report and Action Plan for 2013 to 2018’ are available on our website www.rushmoor.gov.uk/climatechange

You can also ask for a paper copy by calling our Energy and Environment Manager on01252 398 538

Council Offices,Farnborough Road,Farnborough,Hants, GU14 7JU [email protected]

www.rushmoor.gov.uk01252 398 399

Updated May 2017

@rushmoorcouncil

Rushmoor Borough Council

Documents

Rushmoor Borough Council's climate change strategy progress report 2013-2016