Climate Change The role of Local Authorities A UK Perspective Simon Mills Head of Sustainable Development for the City of London and LRAP Programme Manager.

Climate Change Climate Change The role of Local AuthoritiesThe role of Local Authorities

A UK PerspectiveA UK Perspective

Simon Mills Simon Mills Head of Sustainable Development for the City of London Head of Sustainable Development for the City of London

and LRAP Programme Managerand LRAP Programme Manager

Government Office for London

Provides local government for the Square MileProvides local government for the Square Mile Provides a host of services for both the square Provides a host of services for both the square

mile and greater Londonmile and greater London Oldest democratic institution in the worldOldest democratic institution in the world

Has been active in tackling climate change Has been active in tackling climate change

since 1995since 1995

The City of London Corporation

The City of London World’s leading international financial centreWorld’s leading international financial centre Produces 20% of London’s GDP and Produces 20% of London’s GDP and

approximately 6% of UK GDPapproximately 6% of UK GDP

Traditional CurseTraditional Curse

May you live in interesting timesMay you live in interesting times

May you come to the attention of May you come to the attention of those in authority those in authority

May you find what you are May you find what you are looking forlooking for

Part 1. Interesting timesPart 1. Interesting times

Current knowledge -Current knowledge -

there is there is unequivocalunequivocal evidence linking greenhouse evidence linking greenhouse gas concentrations to global mean temperatures.gas concentrations to global mean temperatures.

there is there is unequivocalunequivocal evidence that climatic evidence that climatic systems are driven by thermal energy.systems are driven by thermal energy.

Atmospheric COAtmospheric CO2 2 rising at 2ppm per yearrising at 2ppm per year

COCO2 2 as of January 2009 are 386pmmas of January 2009 are 386pmm

Once COOnce CO22 reaches 400ppm a 2 reaches 400ppm a 2ooc rise in global c rise in global

mean temperature is inevitable. mean temperature is inevitable.

2oc means-

• Economic impacts- supply chain disruption, Economic impacts- supply chain disruption, resource shortages, damage to physical resource shortages, damage to physical assets and infrastructure, regulatory and assets and infrastructure, regulatory and fiscal riskfiscal risk

• Social impacts- public health, mortality and Social impacts- public health, mortality and morbidity, increased commodity prices, morbidity, increased commodity prices, population migration, crime and anti-social population migration, crime and anti-social behaviourbehaviour

• Environmental impacts- biodiversity loss, Environmental impacts- biodiversity loss, smog, waste management, pressure on smog, waste management, pressure on water resources, loss of farm land and water resources, loss of farm land and costal erosioncostal erosion

Part 2. Coming to the Part 2. Coming to the attention of people in attention of people in

authorityauthority

The UK Government states thatThe UK Government states that “climate change is the greatest long-term “climate change is the greatest long-term

challenge facing the world today”challenge facing the world today”

Policy driven by scientific evidencePolicy driven by scientific evidence High level of public awareness and supportHigh level of public awareness and support Crosses party political boundariesCrosses party political boundaries Struggle for centre ground means the Struggle for centre ground means the

environment is a vote winnerenvironment is a vote winner

Policy InitiativesPolicy Initiatives Climate Change Act 2008….Climate Change Act 2008….

Statutory national targetsStatutory national targets for emissions reduction- 80% by 2050. for emissions reduction- 80% by 2050.

Mandatory Adaptation-Mandatory Adaptation- Public bodies must carry out risk assessment Public bodies must carry out risk assessment and make plans to address those risks. and make plans to address those risks.

Other policy initiativesOther policy initiativesClimate Change Levy Climate Change Levy Renewables Obligation Renewables Obligation Energy Efficiency CommitmentEnergy Efficiency CommitmentChanges to planning guidance and building regulationsChanges to planning guidance and building regulationsCarbon TradingCarbon TradingCarbon Reduction CommitmentCarbon Reduction Commitment

UK Public Sector ResponseUK Public Sector Response

Two primary drivers for action on climate Two primary drivers for action on climate change by Local Authorities in the UK-change by Local Authorities in the UK-

Legislation and guidance for spatial Legislation and guidance for spatial planning and building standardsplanning and building standards

Performance management and Government Performance management and Government targetstargets

Spatial Planning- RegionalSpatial Planning- Regional Planning Policy Statements (PPS) set out the

Government’s national policies. Local Planning Policies must conform with this guidance.

Local Authorities must-– consider how the region’s activities contribute to

climate change;– consider how the spatial planning will support targets

on climate change– consider the region’s vulnerability to climate change

specifically the implications for infrastructure & services

Spatial Planning- LocalSpatial Planning- Local

Local Authorities must encourage renewable and low-carbon energy generation.

They must also consider the vulnerability development to flooding and other climate related impacts.

In consider individual sites for development they must

– Consider whether there is a access to service the site through sustainable transport;

– Consider the capacity to cut carbon dioxide emissions and successfully adapt to likely climate change

Building ControlBuilding Control Part L of the Building Part L of the Building

Regulations has brought in Regulations has brought in some of the toughest energy some of the toughest energy regulations ever seen in the UK regulations ever seen in the UK

The European Energy The European Energy Performance of Buildings Performance of Buildings Directive requires public and Directive requires public and commercial buildings to display commercial buildings to display their energy rating in the lobby.their energy rating in the lobby.

tthe Carbon Reduction he Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) will apply Commitment (CRC) will apply mandatory emissions trading to mandatory emissions trading to large commercial and public large commercial and public sector organisations.sector organisations.

Buliding Research Buliding Research Establishment Environmental Establishment Environmental Assessment Matrix (BREEAM) Assessment Matrix (BREEAM) Guidelines are to be revised to Guidelines are to be revised to enhance “excellent” enhance “excellent” performance ratingsperformance ratings

Performance ManagementPerformance Management Local Government in the UK has been Local Government in the UK has been

forged in the fires of 3 decades of forged in the fires of 3 decades of performance management and control performance management and control from central government.from central government.

Councils are regularly inspected by Councils are regularly inspected by auditors from the audit commission who auditors from the audit commission who determine whether; determine whether; - they are using public money effectively - they are using public money effectively - they are meeting the needs of their local people - they are meeting the needs of their local people - they are conforming with government policy.- they are conforming with government policy.

There are financial (and political) There are financial (and political) penalties for Councils who are penalties for Councils who are failing to performfailing to perform

National IndicatorsNational Indicators

New performance management regime brought in New performance management regime brought in in 2008- Comprehensive Area Assessmentin 2008- Comprehensive Area Assessment

CAA will focus on:CAA will focus on: -- joint working between councils and their partners in delivering the joint working between councils and their partners in delivering the

area’s priorities, area’s priorities, - how the quality of people’s lives is improved- how the quality of people’s lives is improved

Councils report against a set of national indicators. Councils report against a set of national indicators. Councils select a basket of 35 indicators from a list of 200. Councils select a basket of 35 indicators from a list of 200. They will only be assessed on 35 but have to collect data They will only be assessed on 35 but have to collect data (and report) against all of them.(and report) against all of them.

National Indicators for Climate National Indicators for Climate changechange

NI 185 CO2 reduction from Local Authority OperationsNI 185 CO2 reduction from Local Authority Operations

NI186 Per capita reductions in CO2 in the Local Authority NI186 Per capita reductions in CO2 in the Local Authority AreaArea

NI187 Tackling Fuel PovertyNI187 Tackling Fuel Poverty

NI188 Planning to Adapt to Climate ChangeNI188 Planning to Adapt to Climate Change

NI 189 Flood and coastal erosion risk managementNI 189 Flood and coastal erosion risk management

All local authorities have to report their performance on these indicators

Case Study- The City of LondonCase Study- The City of London City of London Corporation considered a “Beacon of Best City of London Corporation considered a “Beacon of Best

Practice”Practice” Elected member led Energy Committee since Elected member led Energy Committee since 19751975.. Dedicated Energy Team since Dedicated Energy Team since 19851985.. Reporting on Carbon-Dioxide emissions since Reporting on Carbon-Dioxide emissions since 19951995 The first Local Authority to be Carbon Trust Standard The first Local Authority to be Carbon Trust Standard

accredited in 2008accredited in 2008 First Local Authority in the world to develop a climate First Local Authority in the world to develop a climate

change adaptation strategy.change adaptation strategy.

MitigationMitigation

Two elements to City of London ProgrammeTwo elements to City of London Programme Internal action- energy managementInternal action- energy management External action- assisting stakeholders to reduce External action- assisting stakeholders to reduce

emissionsemissions

Both rely on accurate data-Both rely on accurate data- Carbon footprint for organisation published 2008Carbon footprint for organisation published 2008 Carbon footprint for the whole City published 2009Carbon footprint for the whole City published 2009

Internal ActionInternal ActionCity of London

Annual Energy Costs

5

7

9

11

13

15

01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08p

Year

£M

CommitmentCommitment

Top Management SupportTop Management Support

Delivery MechanismDelivery Mechanism

Monitoring and ReportingMonitoring and Reporting

Energy Management Framework

The Corporation’s The Corporation’s CommitmentCommitment to Energy is contained to Energy is contained within key documentswithin key documents

Top Management SupportTop Management Support is provided by the is provided by the Corporation’s Energy Working Party of Members.Corporation’s Energy Working Party of Members.

The The Delivery MechanismDelivery Mechanism for Energy Management is for Energy Management is contained within the Energy Team’s terms of reference and contained within the Energy Team’s terms of reference and Local Delivery Local Delivery is supported by voluntary Energy is supported by voluntary Energy WardensWardens

MonitoringMonitoring the effectiveness of the Corporations Policy is the effectiveness of the Corporations Policy is achieved by annual reporting to committee on spending, achieved by annual reporting to committee on spending, energy usage and CO2 emissions.energy usage and CO2 emissions.

Practical DeliveryPractical Delivery

External ActionExternal Action

Stakeholder engagement and Stakeholder engagement and training-training-

-“-“Eco-teams” for residentsEco-teams” for residents

- Events and training days for businesses- Events and training days for businesses

City Climate PledgeCity Climate Pledge Sustainable City AwardsSustainable City Awards Engagement with financial Engagement with financial

services sectorservices sector

Practical deliveryPractical delivery Customer demand is pushing up standards in buildingsCustomer demand is pushing up standards in buildings Some companies are retrofitting existing buildings to Some companies are retrofitting existing buildings to

enhance performance.enhance performance. Some landmark developments (both commercial and Some landmark developments (both commercial and

residential) have been built or are at the planning phase.residential) have been built or are at the planning phase. Increase in interest in on-site renewables Increase in interest in on-site renewables Businesses are taking carbon management seriouslyBusinesses are taking carbon management seriously Residents are looking to “do their bit”Residents are looking to “do their bit” Carbon Markets still fastest growing sector of City Carbon Markets still fastest growing sector of City

EconomyEconomy Analysts starting to look for carbon exposure in portfoliosAnalysts starting to look for carbon exposure in portfolios New technologies present new business opportunitiesNew technologies present new business opportunities

Part 3. May you get Part 3. May you get what you wish forwhat you wish for

Important issue because…..Important issue because…..

Adaptation is crucial as climate change will Adaptation is crucial as climate change will constrain future development pathsconstrain future development paths

It is a duty of care for the public sectorIt is a duty of care for the public sector Current window of opportunity before worst Current window of opportunity before worst

impacts hitimpacts hit

Reasons for slow responseReasons for slow response

Fear that addressing adaptation issues is a tacit Fear that addressing adaptation issues is a tacit admission of defeat. In other words climate admission of defeat. In other words climate change is beating uschange is beating us

Fear that addressing adaptation will draw attention Fear that addressing adaptation will draw attention away from cutting greenhouse gas emissions.away from cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

Adaptation is perceived as difficult, due to the Adaptation is perceived as difficult, due to the uncertainty in predicting precisely what the local uncertainty in predicting precisely what the local impacts of climate change will be.impacts of climate change will be.

Adaptation is seen as potentially expensive, and Adaptation is seen as potentially expensive, and some business leaders are reluctant to invest in some business leaders are reluctant to invest in areas which will not yield a return for decades.areas which will not yield a return for decades.

Government ResponseGovernment Response

New duty of care in the Climate Change ActNew duty of care in the Climate Change Act New Climate Change Committee established by New Climate Change Committee established by

GovernmentGovernment National networks set up – Local Climate Change National networks set up – Local Climate Change

Partnerships and Local and Regional Adaptation BoardPartnerships and Local and Regional Adaptation Board New national indicator NI 188New national indicator NI 188 New requirement for Local Authorities to conduct Strategic New requirement for Local Authorities to conduct Strategic

Flood Risk AssessmentsFlood Risk Assessments UK Climate Impact Programme producing scenarios for UK Climate Impact Programme producing scenarios for

local climate impactslocal climate impacts Environment Agency examining coastal erosion and Environment Agency examining coastal erosion and

flooding.flooding.

Actions to ‘climate-proof’ the City of London

The City of London’s climate adaptation strategy

May 2007

City of London ResponseCity of London Response

Development of the StrategyDevelopment of the Strategy

Need for strategy to be-Need for strategy to be-

Based on firm scientific principles, Based on firm scientific principles, Developed in consultation with Developed in consultation with

businesses, residents, service businesses, residents, service providers and other stakeholders.providers and other stakeholders.

Risk Management, Resilience and Risk Management, Resilience and business continuity focussed business continuity focussed

Adaptation OptionsAdaptation Options

‘‘No-regrets’No-regrets’ measures, delivering benefits that measures, delivering benefits that exceed their costs, whatever the extent of climate exceed their costs, whatever the extent of climate change,change,

Low-regrets’Low-regrets’ measures which are are low cost, measures which are are low cost, and have potentially large benefits under climate and have potentially large benefits under climate change,change,

‘‘Win-win’Win-win’ measures which contribute to climate measures which contribute to climate adaptation and also deliver other benefits,adaptation and also deliver other benefits,

‘‘Flexible’Flexible’ measures which are useful for dealing measures which are useful for dealing with uncertainties in the extent of longer-term with uncertainties in the extent of longer-term climate change.climate change.

Adaptation ActionsAdaptation Actions Install sustainable drainage systems and green roofs in targeted flash flood Install sustainable drainage systems and green roofs in targeted flash flood

‘hotspots’ as part of new developments, redevelopments or major ‘hotspots’ as part of new developments, redevelopments or major refurbishments.refurbishments.

Review property portfolio to analyse subsidence and flooding risk Review property portfolio to analyse subsidence and flooding risk

Develop a contingency plan for vital City functions in times of extreme drought.Develop a contingency plan for vital City functions in times of extreme drought.

Develop a local heatwave plan including actions to manage air pollution as high Develop a local heatwave plan including actions to manage air pollution as high levels often coincide with heatwaves.levels often coincide with heatwaves.

Provide ‘cool’ refuges (such as air-conditioned public buildings) for vulnerable Provide ‘cool’ refuges (such as air-conditioned public buildings) for vulnerable people during heatwaves. people during heatwaves.

Work with Transport for London and tube companies to install electronic Work with Transport for London and tube companies to install electronic displays outside tube stations, showing underground temperatures.displays outside tube stations, showing underground temperatures.

Analyse the relationship between weather conditions and fire risk in open Analyse the relationship between weather conditions and fire risk in open spaces and parks. spaces and parks.

Advise outdoor staff on sun safety.Advise outdoor staff on sun safety.

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

We are lucky enough to live at a unique moment in time- We are lucky enough to live at a unique moment in time- we know enough to be worried about climate change, but we know enough to be worried about climate change, but we still have the time and the technology to do something we still have the time and the technology to do something about it.…….about it.…….

Our children and our grandchildren will have to live with the Our children and our grandchildren will have to live with the consequences of our decisions. Let’s make sure they have consequences of our decisions. Let’s make sure they have cause to thank, rather than curse us.cause to thank, rather than curse us.

www.cityoflondon.gov.ukwww.cityoflondon.gov.uk