1. Responding to the Challenge of Climate Change

2. Option 1 – Do nothing and hope that the scientists have got it wrong Option 2 – Change behaviour to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This will minimise the impacts Option 3 – Possibly in conjunction with Option 2 – Adapt to manage the impacts e.g. sea defences etc Option 4 – Develop new science to remove greenhouse gas from the atmosphere (Carbon Capture)

3. Option 1 2014 UK Survey by Cardiff University 1% - No such thing as Climate Change 13% - Climate change is natural 49% - Partly human causes 37% - Mainly human causes 2011 – 21% felt it was natural

4. 2014 – US opinion poll 48% thought climate change was a major threat 35% felt that climate change was not happening Of the 65% who did think that climate is changing, only 40% blamed humans (67% ISIS, 59% Iran nuclear programme, 57% North Korea UN Survey, Americans were least concerned about climate change impacts of 39 countries surveyed The Age of Stupid is a film based on the fictitious future whereby mankind did not act on climate change The Age of Stupid

5. Option 2 Local National International Global

6. Local Lifestyle changes – Individuals take steps to reduce their carbon footprint Drive less, energy saving lightbulbs, switch to green energy tariff, offsetting schemes (see Green Smoke Screen Video), food miles, insulating home etc Easy to implement, cheap or sometimes saving the individual money, government grants may be available to fund such measures Total impact is minimal. If every American changed all their light bulbs to energy saving, the total saving of CO2 would be about 1% of the total USA output. If every American did all of the schemes above and stopped flying, the total CO2 reduction would be 12% of the USA total, again, minimal People often do not want to limit their lifestyle (e.g. Fly/drive less).

7. http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx Actions at home reduce carbon footprint by lowering CO2 emissions elsewhere Water meter = less energy needed to clean/treat water Use public transport/buy a hybrid = less fuel burnt Insulate house = less energy needed to heat home Recycle = Less energy needed to make new products Off-Setting

8. Local Lobby Groups Kirklees Against Climate Change Individual groups promoting awareness and trying to get government to be more serious about climate change Empowers people Bigger groups (Green Party) unsuccessful in most elections, message not getting across

9. Local Authority “Local authorities have a crucial role to play in contributing to emissions reductions and helping the UK meet its carbon targets, according to a new report by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC). If action is not increased at a local level, the CCC says it could put the targets at risk.” Committee on Climate Change 2012

10. Households

11. Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) overseen by the Environment Agency 2012 – Kirklees currently ranks 2 nd of all local authorities at reducing CO2 (only applies to LA, not private dwellings/business etc) Limitations – Differences in how data is collected. For example, schools make up about 50% of local authority emissions, but in order to ensure they are not impacted too much by changes, they are no longer included in the CO2 data Kirklees seems to be reducing its footprint, yet still performs badly on issues such as recycling, leaving homeowners with a larger footprint

12. Kirklees Kirklees BIG Energy Upgrade (2010–12) Kirklees worked with local authorities and registered social landlords (RSLs) across Yorkshire to tackle whole house, whole community energy efficiency upgrades on hard to treat homes. This project was supported financially by the European Union. It attracted £7 million investment from the European Regional Development Fund as part of Europe’s support for the region’s economic development through the Yorkshire and Humber ERDF Programme 2007–13. £1million was secured for Kirklees, and 250 properties had external solid wall insulation installed. Some properties also received several other measures to deliver a whole house, whole community approach to energy efficiency which improved the health and wellbeing of the local residents.

13. Local Economy- Jobs and Skills Creating local jobs in the green sector and ensuring we have the appropriate skills for a low carbon economy Homes Continue to aim to provide affordable warmth and tackle fuel poverty. This will help improve the health and wellbeing of Kirklees residents Council Operations Leading by example through the efficient use of energy and water in our buildings, street lighting and fuel use by fleet vehicles Transport Increasing greener transport and transport connectivity in Kirklees, thus reducing transport related carbon emissions. Waste Developing future plans to reduce waste and maximise diversion from landfill. Natural Environment Delivering a setting for investment, maximising biodiversity and reducing costs.

14. Environmental Plan including Local Climate Change Action Framework (see hand-out) AIMS To reduce carbon emissions arising from Council activities by 40% by 2020, from a 2005/6 baseline, and To reduce carbon emissions across Kirklees by 40% by 2020, from a 2005/6 baseline, in line with UK targets. The most recent data shows that the: Council has reduced its emissions by 19% by 2012/13. District emissions have reduced by 22% by 2011. Progress Report in Detail

15. Kirklees signed up to the Nottingham Declaration in 2002 and the Climate Local commitment (supersedes Nottingham) Provides a platform owned and led by councils, to promote activity on climate change and demonstrate leadership locally and nationally. Supports local authorities to share good practice and identify other authorities undertaking similar initiatives, to support joint working and the sharing of experience and ideas. Provides practical tools and advice to councils on climate change issues. Raises the profile of carbon reduction and adaptation nationally.

16. Other authorities Manchester – Metrolink Bristol/Sheffield – Waste recovery to heat most council buildings Local schemes have a more personal feel and can target people at ground level Local schemes are disjointed, not all following same plans, and many contradict each other (e.g. massive difference in recycling rates/schemes)