rhondda cynon taf – climate change and pathfinder programme. brian houston – emergency planning...
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Rhondda Cynon Taf – Climate Change and Pathfinder Programme.
Brian Houston – Emergency Planning & Sustainable Development Manager and Environmental Partnership Coordinator
Environmental Partnership
•Steering Group is made up of the Council, Groundwork Merthyr & RCT; Countryside Council for Wales, who provide funding, Interlink and the
Environment Agency.
•Focus on Climate Change – shared objective and linked to Changing Climate Changing Places Project.
•Developing open spaces to increase well-being in the community.
Environmental Partnership“Changing Climate Changing Places”
• This project is being developed to improve the resilience of local communities in Wales to the impacts of climate change.
• The project will answer the basic questions:
• What does climate change mean for our community? - 28th March – Our Community and Climate Change Event.
• What risks and opportunities does climate change represent to services and particular localities? – Mapping the impacts on certain communities and costing those impacts.
• How can we adapt now and in the future? - Adaptation strategy in 2011, part of Climate Change Strategy and linked to WAG ‘Outcome Agreements’.
LCLIP outcomes - RCTRainLoss of Business ContinuityFlooded Homes / BuildingsDamaged road surfacesCollapsed / damaged culvertsWater logged playing fieldsFlooded Rest CentreLand slipVegetation growthLoss of Reputation
HeatNoise PollutionRat / Wasp / Fly infestations
Cold School closuresWithdrawal of Home to Schools transportRoad accidentsIncreased GrittingLoss of Business ContinuityLoss of Reputation
High Winds Debris on rail/roads - closuresFallen trees
Extreme Weather Events
Severe weather event
Total number between 2002-
2008
High temperatures/ heat wave
3
Excessive rainfall/ flooding
22
Wind 2
Frost/ ice/ snow 8
Environmental Partnership
• Building on the outcomes from the March Community Event.
• Competition for best adaptation suggestion for a community- £200 and half a day with a consultant.
• Facilitating the development in local hydro power.
• ‘Heatwave Here’ day in May 2011 – bringing Health, Social Care providers, Council Social Care, Police and community together to understand and develop plans for heatwaves in RCTCBC.
Council and Community effects of Climate Change. • Increased flood risk to our rivers• Land erosion • Inadequate drainage and sewerage systems • Drier soils and subsidence • Significant habitat and species changes • Water quality issues in rivers and lakes • Greater incidence of drought and problems with water supply; • Lower air quality
Climate Change and the Council. “”
• Increased costs for insurance and decreased property values • Increased risk of forest and heathland fires • Changed agricultural practices for food • Growth in tourism due to warmer weather;
Wider Environmental improvement activities:
- Love Where you Live .
- SALIX funding for Carbon Reduction activities.
- Tonyrefail and Rhydyfelin Flood Aleviation Scheme.
- Affordable Warmth programme expanded.
- Green Travel Policy.
- Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme.
Climate Change and the Council.
• Between 2002 and 2009 extreme weather events have cost RCT CBC over
£3 million, which includes:
- Staffing (including overtime)
- Immediate costs- sandbags, grit
- Maintenance and repair.
- Does not include costs of not
running a service; External Charges etc.
• Most engaged service areas include Community and Childrens ,
Insurance, HR, Equalities, Highways and IT.
Blaenau Gwent; Caerphilly; Merthyr Tydfil; Bridgend; Neath Port Talbot & Swansea.
• Blaenau – Working with Mark Group and EDF to deliver energy efficiency improvements; Developing Community skills training for energy efficiency
• Merthyr – Working in partnership with local groups to raise awareness of Climate Change and impacts. Local Environment Partnership focusing on energy efficiency.
• Caerphilly – SD Action Plan; Leading the way in environmentally friendly buildings; Development of Ecological Footprint; Very active Environment Partnership.
• Bridgend - Bridgend Environment Partnership; Bridgend Environmental and Sustainability Partnership; Green Dragon Level 5 across all council buildings.
• Neath Port Talbot – 2010 Climate Survey of residents; Development of Carbon footprint; Reduction in council Carbon Emissions; Sustainable Transport; Combined Energy and SD Teams;
• Swansea - Sustainable Swansea awards; Swansea Renewable Energy.
Environmental Partnership
Thank You.
Any Questions?
Contact me - 01443 494789
Facebook.com/carbonfreerct