Agenda item
Briefing Notes/Information Updates requested by the Select Committee following consideration of Issue 9 (2009/10) of the Forward Plan
Carbon Reduction Commitment
The Select Committee requested a briefing note on this item providing details of how the carbon reduction emissions targets will be achieved.
To follow.
The Lead Member and lead officer have also been invited to the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.
Minutes:
Carbon Reduction Commitment
Judith Young (Head of Policy Information and Performance, Environment and Culture) introduced the report and advised that the Carbon Commitment Reduction Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC) was an obligatory emissions trading scheme and a key element of emissions reduction targets for the Climate Change Act 2008. The CRC aimed to generate a shift in awareness, behaviour and infrastructure. Judith Young then highlighted some of the main aspects of the CRC, including:-
· Emissions trading – starting in April 2010 each participant would have emissions allowances that they can hold and cancel at the end of each scheme year that corresponded with their total CO2 emissions, with participants free to trade allowances amongst themselves during the year. Those who did not hold sufficient allowances by the end of the year or incorrectly report emissions would be subject to a stringent penalty regime.
· The setting up of a Revenue Recycling and League Table, with those performing well starting with a bonus payment of 10% for the first year and rise to 50% by the fifth year, and those poorly on minus 10% for the first year and minus 50% by the fifth.
· Participants would be required to keep records of the data they report in an evidence pack, with a number of penalties applying to situations such as under reporting or failure to surrender allowances.
Judith Young advised that the Climate Change Act required an 80% reduction by 2050 and included a milestone target of 34% by 2020. In order to achieve this, the Council had adopted the Carbon Management Strategy and Implementation Plan (CMIP). A second review of the Plan agreed in October 2009 sets out action plans and resources intended to achieve technical and behavioural changes across the Council and schools to reduce CO2 emissions.
Richard Barrett added that the Property and Asset Management Service was playing a leading role in championing the green agenda and was an early signatory of the agreement with the Carbon Trust to match funding to undertake CO2 reduction targets. An energy adviser had been recruited to liaise with schools as to how they could reduce their energy consumption and CO2 emissions. This was particularly vital to the Council’s aims as schools presently emitted considerably more CO2 than other Council buildings and other high energy users would also be targeted. Richard Barrett advised that another initiative included replacing bottled water with piped, filtered water which was both cheaper and more carbon efficient than bottled water.
During discussion, Councillor H B Patel suggested that as tap water in the UK was amongst the cleanest in the World, then this should be used as drinking water as it would be both the cheapest and most carbon efficient option. He sought further details concerning emissions trading. Councillor Mistry enquired whether there were IT constraints in what information could be captured and recorded accurately. She felt that junior schools in Brent were much involved in pursuing the green agenda and added that Roe Green Junior School was opening a new eco building on 3 February 2010. Councillor Powney enquired during what period the information would be used to compile the first issue of the first Revenue Recycling and League Table and sought further details as to how it would work. He also enquired whether any plans to close energy inefficient buildings would include schools.
The Chair, in acknowledging that schools would receive funding to introduce loft insulation, enquired what type of buildings would receive this kind of treatment and whether energy inefficient buildings in general would be targeted. She enquired if the move to the Civic Centre would be taken into account concerning the Revenue Recycling and League Table. Michael Read (Assistant Director – Policy and Regulation, Environment and Culture) agreed to the Chair’s request to provide her with information concerning sequencing with regard to Building Management Systems.
In reply to the matters raised, Judith Young advised that in April 2011, each organisation would be allowed to purchase a CO2 allowance up to the same amount of CO2 that it had emitted from period April 2010 to March 2011, however they had the option of selling a proportion of their CO2 allowance during the year to another organisation if they perceived that they were performing well within their allowance, or buy if they thought they were in danger of exceeding their allowance. The baseline for the Revenue Recycling and League Table would be set in the period 1 – 30 April 2010. Higher performers in the league table would have some of their money used to purchase allowances returned, whilst under performers would forfeit some of their money. As well as local authorities, other organisations such as retailers would participate in the League Table, however industrial organisations were excluded. Judith Young highlighted that there were issues in measuring performance in some areas, for example in many schools energy used was often measured by estimates as opposed to actual meter readings. However, efforts to change the way organisations such as schools used and measured energy were being made. An external funding of £110,000 in external funding was available to actively engage with the community on energy issues.
Michael Read added that loft insulation would mainly be offered to schools with older buildings and a considerable amount of work was being undertaken with schools to improve insulation, reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Members heard that the Schools Forum had agreed to the recruitment of an energy adviser liaison for 2009/10 and this role was under consideration for 2010/11 too. Michael Read advised that if the Council continued to incur penalty charges as a result of excessive emissions from schools, then consideration would be needed as to how to pass such costs to the schools. The Select Committee noted that schools were being encouraged to sign up to the 10/10 pledge. Michael Read stressed that another challenge involved closing buildings that were inherently energy inefficient and this could also include school buildings. He also agreed to provide information to the Chair explaining sequencing in respect of building management systems.
Councillor Van Colle (Lead Member for Environment, Planning and Culture) emphasised that the Council was committed to participation in CRC and it was hoped that targets could be met. He added that the CRC was a very complex system and a simpler one would be desirable, however for now there was no alternative system and the Council needed to work within the present parameters.
RESOLVED:-
that the briefing note on Carbon Reduction Commitment be noted.
Supporting documents: