Somerset County CouncilClimate Change Strategy

Abigail StretchSustainable Development Officer

What is Somerset County Council doing to tackle climate change?

Energy Awareness & Efficiency

Renewable Energy in Schools

Somerset Bio-fuel Project Wind Energy Initiative

The Somerset Climate Change Strategy

Climate Change the UK Programme 2006

“Local authorities are uniquely placed to provide vision and leadership to local communities, raise awareness and help change behaviours. In addition, through their powers and responsibilities ..... they can have significant influence over emissions in their local areas”

The role of Somerset County Council in

dealing with climate change

The Somerset Climate Change Strategy

Somerset County Council Climate Change Strategy

two main elements to the Strategy

1. Adaptation – preparing for the predicted impacts of climate change on the County.

2. Mitigation – dealing with the causes of climate change

parallel programme

Rising to the Challenge – SCC programme, DEFRA funded, to raise public understanding of the effects of climate change on Somerset

The Somerset Climate Change Strategy

• hotter drier summers• warmer wetter winters• rising sea levels• increased frequency and intensity

of storms

Adaptation Strategy

What are the predicted effects of Climate change on Somerset/ what are we adapting to?

The Somerset Climate Change Strategy

Identifying service level impacts and actions

South West Climate Change Impacts Partnership Report

“Warming to the idea”summarises the likely impacts of

climate change on the SW Region and sets out what needs to needs to be done to adapt.

Methodology for Preparation of Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan

The Somerset Climate Change Strategy

Climate change will impact on a range of sectors• Agriculture, horticulture, forestry

• Coastal issues and marine fisheries

• Biodiversity

• River flooding and drainage

• Water resources and water quality

• Built environment and housing

• Transport

• Utilities

• Health

• Tourism and leisure

• Environmental services and biomass energy

• Financial services

• Food and drink

Adaptation Strategy

The Somerset Climate Change Strategy

• Environmental Regeneration• Property Services• Property Consultancy• Regulation • Strategic Policy• Access and Communications• Civil Contingency• Highways• Transport Development• Economic Development• Financial Services• Adult Primary Care• Children Social Care• Scientific Services

Adaptation Strategy

Key SCC Services affected by climate change

The Somerset Climate Change Strategy

Adaptation Strategy

Group Managers in all Service Areas will:•identify the potential impacts of climate change on service delivery•assess the level of risk or opportunity •specify appropriate actions for inclusion in Service Delivery Plans•report to Directorate – concise bullet point list :

potential impacts level of risk or opportunity appropriate actions relevant theme – Community Leadership, Service

Provision, Managing the Council Estate

Action Plan Reports will be amalgamated to form SCC Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan

The Somerset Climate Change Strategy

6,000 km2 land, 32,500 properties strategic transport links - M5 & railway - in the flood risk zone

Adaptation Strategy Climate Change increases the risk of flooding

Probability of severe tidal flood increases to 1 year in 17 by 2060 if high emissions scenario continues

The Somerset Climate Change Strategy

The Somerset Climate Change Strategy

Adaptation Strategy key points for action plan on flooding risk

- Environment Agency responsible for flood risk management;

- Finite national flood defence budget does not permit maintenance of current level of flood protection as risk increases with climate change through time;

- Optimum solutions will be obtained through coordinated approach involving all stakeholders;

- SCC has responsibility as community leader to coordinate county wide response to climate change;

- SCC will develop coordinated response through Water Management Partnership, Somerset Strategic Partnership and Somerset Strategic Planning Conference.

Mitigation Strategyglobal mean temperature – range of emission scenarios

The Somerset Climate Change Strategy

The Somerset Climate Change Strategy

Mitigation Strategy reducing greenhouse gas emissions

RPG 10- local authorities should support and encourage the attainment of regional targets of 20% CO2 emissions reductions by 2010

The Somerset Climate Change Strategy

SCC Carbon Management Plan will:• publish baseline carbon emissions for key

service areas in the SCC Estate

• produce carbon emissions reduction target for SCC Estate

• monitor progress in year on year carbon emissions reductions

Mitigation Strategy

reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the County Estate

Key service areas –

Sustainable Development

Property Services

Waste Services

Transport

Procurement

Planning

Street Lighting

Facilities Management

The Somerset Climate Change Strategy

Mitigation Strategy

reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the County Estate

The Somerset Climate Change Strategy

Mitigation Strategy

reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the County Estate

Group Managers in key service areas will use the Nottingham Declaration Action Pack to:

calculate baseline carbon emissions in their service areareview options for emissions reductions set targets and incorporate into departmental service

plansreport to Directorate on baseline emissions, targets and

outcomes for carbon emissions reductions in their sector

Directorate Action Plan Reports will be amalgamated to form SCC Carbon Management Plan

The Somerset Climate Change Strategy

SCC Carbon Management Programme will be used to promote best practice in reducing carbon emissions:

• through partnership working• with stakeholders throughout the County

Raise energy awareness & promote best practice

through leading by example.

Continue successful implementation of SCC Renewable Energy Strategy with flagship partnership projects in key sectors;

• The Somerset Biofuel Project• The Somerset Wind Energy Initiative• Energy from waste• Woodfuel heating• Building integrated renewables

Mitigation Strategy supporting the County to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

The Somerset Climate Change Strategy

Climate Change Strategy now in final draft stage. To Scrutiny Committee and Executive Board prior to release as consultation document

production timetable -• Finish draft strategy completed April• Environment Leaders 15 May• Environment scrutiny sub-committee 22 May• Executive 20 June• Public Consultation via SSP July/Aug• Environment scrutiny sub-committee 4 Sept• Council (agreement of strategy) Nov 07

Adoption of Climate Change Strategy will be the starting point for an evolving programme of work across the Authority dealing with the causes and effects of climate change on Somerset.

Climate Change Strategy Timetable