York Liberal Democrats

CLLR ANN REID SPEECH TO FULL COUNCIL 15/10/09

Lord Mayor,

We clearly support this motion as we have proposed a similar one. The major difference is emphasis and the recognition that the Council already has challenging targets for carbon reduction.

It is easy for the Government to set long term targets beyond the end of their term of office. After all, who knows who will be in power by 2050, let alone next year. To reach that 80% target it is necessary to set short and medium targets. This is why we have a target for 2013 and why the 10:10 campaign will be important as it gives us a short term target to drive through change and supports us in achieving longer term targets.

Before I sign up for a campaign I always want to ensure that it will be of benefit:- that it is proportionate; fits our objectives; adds value to whatever we are already doing; that all or most of the goals are achievable.

That is what we considered when deciding if the 10:10 campaign was worthwhile. I also wanted to ensure that signing up for the 10:10 campaign did not detract from achieving our 25% target by 2013.

Reducing carbon emissions is an imperative and to that end the Council has already implemented a Carbon management programme. Reviewing that programme and what has already been achieved was important to ensure that the 10:10 campaign added value to what was already planned, would stretch the Council and give incentives to ensure that the 10:10 targets are greater than we would otherwise achieve whilst also ensuring that we would still achieve our challenging 2013 targets.

The Council's cross departmental Climate Change workshop in September was a good chance to find where we were. I was disappointed to see that the Labour Group was the only Group not represented at what proved to be an interesting event. Those Officers present were very enthusiastic about what could be achieved in their areas.

Action already taken that demonstrates out commitment to carbon reduction includes making positive use of the Display Energy Certificates in our buildings, introducing recycling of waste in schools and the major refurbishment of Yearsley Pool.

Looking ahead, Officers advise that to meet the 10:10 targets the Council would need to make savings of approx 1220tons during the target year.

Ongoing building projects have the potential to save around 3100 tonnes per annum towards our 2013 total some of which will occur during the 10;10 year. For example York High and Oaklands will save about 904tonnes, Joseph Rowntree School (250) and the council HQ (800). Recycling waste in our offices will save 130 tonnes.

New ICT projects will see the replacement of 1100 computers and monitors with low energy, thin Clients ones and eco PC's.

Changes to street lighting will make a bit dent in that total and proposals include:-

· Replacing 1300 mercury lanterns with compact fluorescent systems

· Swapping 50 250 watt lanterns for 150 watt white light devices saving 21,000KW or 11.277 tonnes

· Installing 100 LED lanterns saving 33,600KW or 18.0432 tonnes of CO2

· We are about to install 10 free trial LED lanterns which should see energy reduction of 50% per lantern.

· Replacing bollards with solar or reflective devices equating to a saving of 289.08 KW per year each or 28,908 total or 15.524 tonnes. This removes both energy and maintenance costs.

· We are also installing an array of photo cells which will reduce energy costs and therefore carbon emissions as in future we will pay for the actual energy used, rather than an estimated amount.

Major savings can be made in our own buildings through improved housekeeping practices and initiatives supported by the carbon management programme.

Active energy management by building users has shown to significantly cut energy consumption and is the key to ensuring any new technology that we invest in is used to its full potential.

Energy Management and Awareness Training, particularly for Building Managers and caretakers, will be essential. Ensuring that we know how much energy we actually use and therefore how much we can save will take place through improved metering and monitoring of energy and will include completing the installation of low cost smart metering at all sites.

Implementing a good housekeeping programme will include setting up a network of Building Managers/Green Champions, having a league table of good performing buildings/directorates and ensuring that everyone takes responsibility for turning off computers, photocopiers, lights, purchasing energy efficient goods, closing windows and using heating appropriately.

The introduction of Smart meters, available to residents through the Library, make it possible for everyone to become involved in reducing carbon emission in their own homes.

We do need to be a little cautious in one respect. In seeking to reduce our carbon emissions we must ensure that we do not also reduce air quality because of increasing levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter. Some good measures, such as biomass fuel in vehicles, reduces carbon dioxide emissions but can increase NOX and PM10. Ensuring that we have an holistic approach is imperative.

Our amendment seeks to highlight that the Council has been proactive in looking to reduce it's carbon emissions and that we have set ourselves very challenging targets. As with so many other environmental issues can the Government really say the same?

We need to be leading the way in the City and cross party support will show residents and businesses that we are serious in this endeavour.