Observations on Sustainable Energy Action Planning Dominic Sims 16 th July 2013

Overview 2 Review the components of a SEAP SEAP assessment Criteria Discuss sample SEAPs Observations and comments

What is a SEAP? EC formed the Covenant of Mayors Main focus was (is) supporting 20% CO 2 emissions reduction by 2020 Sustainable Energy Action Plan was introduced to implement this SEAP planning guidelines published in ,866 signatory cities

Key components of a SEAP 4 A Baseline Emissions Inventory (BEI) using the CoM template

Key components of a SEAP (cont) 5 A plan that uses the BEI to identify reduction actions and outlines how actions will be implemented

Covenant Assessment Criteria 6 Political approval Specific CO 2 targets Inclusion of a BEI List of actions Compliance with the Template Complete data

Current SEAPs 7 2,964 SEAPS currently with CoM 1,494 Accepted CoM staffing supports only cursory review Progress reporting and updates are the responsibility of the cities Huge variety of submission formats and qualities Specific SEAPs Policy information document Reference document Efficacy...?

STEP UP and Enhanced SEAPs 8 Organisations and Stakeholder identification and engagement Identification of energy technologies and projects Addressing economic issues Integration of multiple objectives beyond CO 2 reduction Realistic and Achievable

SEAP Review 9 Looked at many, chose 9 SEAPs Compared scope and formats looking for compliance to CoM guidelines Also looking for ideas that might contribute to ‘Enhanced SEAP’ processes Followed up supporting documents Strengths / Weaknesses Ideas for Glasgow

SEAP Review 10 Pre 2010 Guidance London (Feb 2010) Freiburg (2007) Post 2010 Guidance Liverpool Bath Birmingham Stockholm Northern Ireland Cork Manchester CAVEAT – without going inside the respective councils and discussing...

General Observations 11 Emissions data is rarely provided in the CoM template (only Birmingham and Cork) Political leadership / ownership of SEAP reflected in subsequent policy documents Detailed finances rarely discussed

Criteria / Observations 12 Approved by an official body (in principle the municipal council) Freiburg – town business plan is based on being green London strong support shown in follow on policy, mayoral participation in committees, etc. Birmingham and Manchester have provided SEAP updates Baseline Emission Inventory (BEI) Some form of inventory needs to be provided, but format might need to be reviewed LEGGI C40 proposal on GHG accounting for cities Cities to build to full carbon accounting (Manchester)

Criteria / Observations 13 Include a set of actions in the key sectors of activity. Level of detail that should be provided ? Accountability for performance Organisation and Stakeholders Means of engaging and showing political commitment key London - Mayors Electricity summit / working group. London heat map Stockholm is a good example of public engagement Establishment of dedicated working teams for the SEAP, with governance reporting to senior leadership

Criteria / Observations 14 Wider policy goals What is the role of the SEAP? CoM says its CO 2 reduction... Should SEAP set other goals, or acknowledge and work with other goals via wider council policy? Integration with high level council policy London – SEAP seems dead, with ‘Energy Future’ in place Freiburg seems to run a stand alone ‘Environmental Policy’ Manchester Core Strategy references the SEAP and includes SEAP policy Alignment with regional/national/EC policies and schemes London and Manchester both do this well

Criteria / Observations 15 Energy and Technology All propose actions for energy efficiency / use reduction Key seems to be leverage / facilitate national programs Develop key local projects Economics Few SEAPs to date go into this level of detail Is it part of the SEAP remit to do project feasibility / funding? Stockholm indicates SEAP to inform budget planning Birmingham implies same, then steers towards PPP/PFI Latest city budget bodes ill

16 Source: Sustainable Glasgow Report 2010

Conclusions 17 Policy proposal, policy or a program feasibility study? Current guidance is good will produce a robust SEAP But... Sustained political commitment is key Sustainable Energy needs to be a central policy plank Reflected in core strategy and whole of council engagement with stakeholders