“green alliance... issue autumn 06 14 “…how can we “…water bills were “with China planning possibly say that cut by a whopping to build 400 new sustainable 40 per cent: cities in the next communities are all for an outlay of 20 years, Dongtan’s ‘unaffordable’?” 20 quid” success is of crucial TRACK importance” INSIDE 81014 SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES Can we afford not to? TRACK INSIDE The quarterly magazine of Green Alliance comment Edited by Tracy Carty Designed by Carruthers and Hobbs Ltd Printed by Seacourt Press Ltd September 2006 Green Alliance All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, Tracy Carty or transmitted, in any form or by any means, policy officer without the prior permission in writing of Green Alliance. Within the UK, exceptions are allowed Green Alliance in respect of any fair dealing for the purposes of private research or study, or criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Design and Patent Act, 1988, or in the case of reprographic Like sustainable development, sustainable communities can be described as reproduction in accordance with the terms of the licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency. a three-legged stool, integrating economic, environmental and social factors. But whilst the sustainable development metaphorical stool has always been wobbly, in the case of sustainable communities it is almost missing a leg.
Produced with support from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. In the implementation of the government's plans to build sustainable communities, environmental considerations have tended to rank below economic and social factors. The dominant concern has been the need for new affordable housing in areas of high demand, mainly the south east. Higher environmental standards and the need to address environmental impacts have often been regarded as separate from - and even at odds with - this (valid) ambition. Thankfully, this is changing, as the government gradually recognises the potential of large-scale investment to transform contents markets and bring down costs. But despite progress, there is still palpable caution when it comes to going further faster. comment 2
Green Alliance soapbox series 3 In this edition of Inside Track, we hear from a range of commentators on the best of times? or the worst sustainable communities. Pete Halsall outlines BioRegional Quintain’s work of times? to create a series of low carbon sustainable communities, which will set the Stephen Hale 4 tone for what can be achieved at modest additional cost. Peter Head reports on the pioneering Dongtan eco-city, which could become a model for groundhog day? Rebekah Phillips 6 sustainable urban design in China and elsewhere in the world. Allan Jones sets out a practical strategy for a sustainable energy future based on comprehensive spending review decentralised energy, and reports on progress towards achieving this vision Hannah Hislop 7 in London. And finally, Nicci Russell comments on progress on water affordability and sustainable efficiency in the UK. communities Pete Halsall 8 As ever, we also have plenty of other work to report on at Green Alliance. go slow on the H2O Two months into post, director Stephen Hale assesses the new prominence Nicci Russell 10 of the environmental agenda in British politics and offers his thoughts on the challenges ahead. You can also read about Green Alliance’s response to the decentralised energy: turning Energy Review and future energy work, our soap box series of debates taking green into gold place this autumn on critical issues in environmental policy and politics, as Allan Jones 12 well as our work to green the Comprehensive Spending Review. which way China? Peter Head 14 As the articles in this issue show, the way our homes and communities are designed and built - transport, energy, water supply, waste disposal and other infrastructure - can lock us into unsustainable lifestyles or can enable us to live more sustainably. Given the scale and urgency of the environmental challenges we now face, the priority for government should The views of contributors are not necessarily not be whether we can afford to build communities that are truly those of Green Alliance. sustainable, but whether we can afford not to. green alliance soap boxseries autumn 2006
Green Alliance’s soap box series of debates will be a chance to expose and reflect on four critical current issues in environmental policy and politics.
13 September: November: Labour’s climate scorecard: verdict and lessons learned Prospects for European leadership on the environment
speakers: Europe has been a powerful driving force for Francis Sullivan environmental adviser, HSBC environmental improvement in the UK and Mark Kenber policy director, Climate Group internationally. But the climate of the European debate Mark Lynas campaigner, author of High Tide: on environmental issues has shifted in recent years, news from a warming world partly as a result of business hostility to European Stephen Hale director, Green Alliance regulation. Where do we go from here?
The first debate will take stock on climate change, after nine years of a Labour government whose overwhelming environmental priority has been climate change. December: Discussion will focus on two questions: how much has Environmental regulation: in whose interest? been achieved during these nine years? And critically, what lessons are there for our own future strategy as Regulation has been critical to progress on the well as for the approach that future prime ministers environment over the past 20 years. But there is now (of whatever party) should adopt? much criticism of the effect of environmental regulation. Civil society and progressive business voices are also making themselves heard. Where do we go from here? Is there a case for radical reform, as the Conservatives have 11 October: hinted? Or does the de-regulation agenda threaten the Greening the people: how do we secure a step change progress we have made to-date? How can we strengthen in public environmental action? the progressive coalitions and voices in this debate?
speakers (provisional): Fiona Reynolds director general, National Trust Chris Rose environmental campaigner and communications consultant Deborah Mattinson joint chief executive, Opinion Leader Research Centrica speaker
From household recycling to organic food, the profile of individual action to reduce environmental impacts is growing fast. But we need a step change in the scale and impact of such action. David Miliband has made this a All events will be held at a central London venue. major focus since he became Secretary of State. They will all start at 18:30. Government plays a critical role in shaping the framework within which behavioural choices are made. If you are interested in attending please contact But how can the environmental movement and our Kathryn Cook at [email protected] supporters in the private sector maximise their or 020 7233 7433. contribution to accelerating positive trends in public behaviour? Green Alliance is very grateful to Centrica for their sponsorship of this series of events. “3 the best of times? or the worst of times?
Stephen Hale director of Green Alliance
I am delighted to partners as we consider our future Cameron’s call to “Vote blue go green” have joined Green approach and priorities. Just how was a major part of the pre-election Alliance, different are things today? debate. particularly at a time when the Cameron and the best of times But what is going on here? Cameron’s environmental Let’s explore the optimistic emphasis on the environment is not of agenda has interpretation first - through a tale of course success in itself, and the issue acquired a welcome three elections. The 2005 General is being used partly to symbolise that new prominence. Twelve months ago Election was a low-point, with almost he is building a very different the prospects for placing the no environmental dimension to a Conservative Party. Prior to becoming environment at the centre of public narrow and uninspiring few weeks. leader, he had shown almost no visible and political debate seemed bleak. The Liberal Democrats did highlight signs of commitment. But if a poor Many in the environmental movement their environmental agenda. But the track record is a barrier to entry we will feel much more optimistic today. David two main parties had clearly concluded never swell our ranks. His commitment Cameron’s decision to make the that there was little to be gained from and the profile that he has brought are environment and quality of life a this, and the environment was very welcome. defining part of his leadership of the squeezed out. Conservative Party has given our cause a new political and media profile. Then came another election - for the leadership of the Conservative Party. But does this new political competition David Cameron’s decision to focus on and accompanying media coverage the environment has at long last actually represent real progress? created some real competition for the Pessimists argue that the prospects of mantle of environmental leadership. change on the scale and speed For the first time since 1997, the “The political competition necessary are no better today than government is under serious political for environmental they were 12 months ago. A hard- pressure on this agenda. Hallelulah. leadership is great news headed analysis of our current position The 2005 local elections demonstrated is critical for Green Alliance and our the progress that is being made. for all of us” “4 draw on their recommendations. The regulation agenda, for example. Unless shifts necessary to deliver on a radical these shackles are removed, it remains environmental agenda can come then, as hard as ever to see how either of they claim. the main parties can deliver on an ambitious environmental agenda. In the meantime of course, Cameron’s initiatives are putting pressure on Synthesis Labour to deliver on their existing For Green Alliance, there is truth in environmental goals and to develop an both these interpretations. The agenda for the future. The competition between the parties does appointment of David Miliband as create important opportunities in the Secretary of State for the Environment here and now. There are environmental is a sign of their determination to do tensions of course with the historic this. So, the optimists argue, there has instincts of both Cameron and Brown, never been a better time to push for but also opportunities to engage with ambitious environmental policies. both leaders to develop an ambitious environmental agenda. Green Alliance The pessimists: never mind the and others will be working to Cameron encourage and enable them to do just Or has there? There is an alternative, that. far more pessimistic interpretation of the current state of environmentalism But the pessimists are of course right in Britain. The new political struggle to look at the political debate through for environmental leadership is taking a much broader prism. We need to place in a depressingly narrow political expand the realms of the possible and space. This space is limited by political broaden the political space for action and intellectual constraints, some self- by all parties. The building blocks imposed and others real. The clamour needed to achieve this are already So far of course, he has made just a for de-regulation is one: the two main around. On competitiveness and handful of actual policy commitments. parties are in flight from a de- regulation, the progressive business Some have been encouraging, such as regulatory agenda being driven by the case is being articulated loud and clear his call for a strict limit to UK CBI (or at least by the previous by coalitions such as the Corporate emissions in the second phase of the Director-General of the CBI). The Leaders Group on climate change and EU emissions trading scheme. But perception that it is politically the Aldersgate Group. most of his public profile arises from impossible to confront the motoring his symbolic actions - a trip to the and cheap flights lobby is another. On public engagement and behaviour, Arctic, bike rides, and his plan to the rapid growth in take-up of issues install a wind turbine at home. He has Pessimists see the prospects for from household recycling to organic made a series of speeches outlining a change in Westminster through a food is cause for optimism, and the strong and welcome commitment to broader prism. They argue that the first mass mobilisation by the Stop the quality of life agenda, but the narrow political debate stems from real Climate Chaos coalition will take place policy implications of this approach and perceived impressions of public in the autumn. remain tantalisingly unclear. (and business) attitudes to government action on the environment. The political competition for Most optimists concede that Cameron It will require major shifts at these environmental leadership is great still possesses some troubling levels to secure change of the scale news for us all. To win that battle, all instincts - a preference for a smaller, and pace needed in government, party leaders will need a radical and less interventionist state, commitment business and at the personal level. ambitious environmental programme to de-regulation, and hostility to the for the future. But politics does not European Union. But they argue that This analysis makes the Conservative begin or end in Westminster. Green Cameron has made clear that the policy process, and the prospects for a Alliance aims to make environmental Conservatives are in the early stages of Brown government, look very different. solutions a priority in British politics. fleshing out their new approach, and David Cameron is not the only prime We will continue to think and act in a open to radical new directions. The six minister in waiting constrained by both broader sphere to achieve that goal. Conservative Policy Commissions will personal instincts and the broader report in summer 2007, and the climate. The chancellor has been a For more information contact Stephen Shadow Cabinet will then be able to determined promoter of the de- Hale, [email protected] “5 • There are three proposed emissions trading schemes in The Energy groundhog day? Challenge: a mandatory scheme for the commercial and retail sector, entitled the Energy Performance Rebekah Phillips outlines Green Alliance’s response to Commitment; the transformation of the Energy Efficiency Commitment the Energy Review and our ongoing energy work... (EEC) to a cap and trade system; and a cross-departmental study Any analysis of the The government has set in train a looking at personal carbon trading government’s number of proposals to strengthen the allowances. We will explore how Energy Review policy frameworks for renewable carbon trading on a personal, starts with the energy, decentralised electricity company, UK and EU level might fit feeling that we generation and energy efficiency. together. The government has have been in this These give the Review potential but it committed to ensuring some position before. needs an injection of ambition. stability in carbon prices and we will Three years after examine options for how this might the 2003 Energy White Paper, the Green Alliance launched its report work. government has published another A new vision for energy in July, which well-trailed energy policy document showcased an alternative vision of our • We will continue to make the case promising that energy efficiency and energy future. One that dismissed for reforming the EEC into a demand renewable energy will be central to nuclear as a relic of the past and reduction measure and look at the achieving the UK’s low-carbon goals. proposed a system where power is measures available to reduce energy generated as close as possible to demand and increase efficiency. As we all know, 2006 differs from 2003 where it is used and is accessible to a in one crucial respect. After years of wide variety of players. We will be Missing elements: lobbying, the nuclear industry has working over the next few months to persuaded the government to reverse persuade the government that there is • Heat and transport were mainly the conclusion of the 2003 White still a chance to achieve this future and neglected in what amounted to an Paper that nuclear power is to bury nuclear once and for all. electricity, rather than an energy, uneconomic. Despite this decision, it is review. We will focus on how a not clear that the proposed policy In particular we will focus on: Renewable Heat Obligation could package in The Energy Challenge will work in practice and proposals to be enough to persuade the private • Examining the policy framework increase Combined Heat and Power sector to invest in nuclear power, or needed to deliver the objectives of uptake. We hope to examine the indeed that the planning proposals will the Energy Review, particularly the role of fiscal incentives in become law. role of government intervention in influencing consumer transport shaping energy markets. behaviour to drive down emissions. Yet the government’s pre-occupation with nuclear power is still likely to • The Energy Challenge introduces • There was no additional support for detract from other priorities, and to commitments to embed local energy Coal or Carbon Capture and Storage draw it into further support for the into energy planning, make it easier (CCS) in The Energy Challenge. So industry. to install microgeneration and we will continue to work on CCS in community power and hook it up to the run up to, and following, the Pre Although Green Alliance will continue the grid. But trying to shoehorn Budget Report. to highlight the costs of the nuclear elements of the decentralised option for government and taxpayer approach into the incumbent We are grateful to the Ashden Trust, alike, and scrutinise proposals for centralised system will not work, it BP, Centrica, The Carbon Trust, supporting this technology, we are not needs to be part of a strategic Greenpeace Trust, Friends of the Earth, going to allow the nuclear issue to overhaul of the UK’s energy system. JMG Foundation, RSPB, Shell and WWF distract us from the key challenges of We will be pushing for Ofgem’s for supporting this work. establishing a low-carbon economy. review of decentralised electricity For nuclear will neither deliver energy generation to conclude that its own For more information contact security nor address climate change Duties need to change to ensure Rebekah Phillips on concerns. that reducing emissions is valued as [email protected]. highly as consumer prices.
“6 and its agencies this year, primarily is needed within Treasury to go further Comprehensive due to problems with the Single Farm and faster has not yet occurred. Payment. The newly formed champion Spending of wildlife and the countryside, Natural Our work on the CSR focuses on the England, faces £12 million in cuts. Sir fifth challenge and how the Treasury Review 2007 Martin Doughty, the new chairman, has should respond. Our report, to be warned that the cuts risk ‘the wheels launched after Recess, examines the The Comprehensive coming off the organisation even concept of ‘natural capital’ - a way of before it reaches October’s launchpad’. describing environmental goods and Spending Review (CSR) services similar to the way Treasury presents a huge Green Alliance, however, is taking the views financial capital. The concept Treasury at its word that CSR 2007 recognises that the environment opportunity to influence represents a fundamental review of provides us with both stocks of natural policy-making over the next policy and government. The Treasury resources and services, both centrally has been looking into the five ‘key important to human welfare, and a ten years. Hannah Hislop challenges’ that Britain must address prerequisite for manufactured, reports on our work to in the next decade. These include infrastructural and financial capital, green the CSR… socio-demographic shifts as the baby- such as a stable climate, healthy soil boomers age; competition from rapidly and clean water. Some natural emerging markets such as China and resources, such as oil and minerals, India; and accelerating rates of have a well-developed price The first CSR, innovation and technological diffusion. mechanism, whereby prices reflect announced in 1997 And the fifth: increasing pressures on scarcity. For others, such as water when Labour swept our natural resources and global bodies and woodland, few effective into Downing Street climate from rapid economic and price mechanisms currently exist, on a huge population growth in the developing despite such capital contributing in landslide, was the world and sustained demand for fossil many ways to human well being. most fundamental fuels in advanced economies. The CSR analysis of therefore presents a huge opportunity Our recommendations to Treasury will government spending ever attempted. to influence policy-making over the focus not just on spending but on the Nearly ten years down the line, Gordon next ten years, and to deliver balance of spending, fiscal instruments Brown announced a second CSR that environmental objectives both through and regulation needed to tackle the has been widely interpreted as a way spending and revenue raising. environmental challenge. We highlight of fixing the government priorities he the importance of the ‘degrader pays’ will inherit as prime minister. Our CSR project is making the case for principle that advocates a shift in the the long-term economic opportunities burden of taxation to activities that CSR 2007 will set the government’s associated with a more sustainable degrade natural capital, and the role priorities for the long-term, covering use of natural resources. We are that regulation can play in making the departmental spending between 2008 focusing on engaging parts of the UK a world leader in clean and 2011. Allocations for 2007-08 will Treasury that still view environmental technologies. The chancellor has said be held to the agreed figures protection as a cost to growth and as energy costs rise and materials announced in the 2004 Spending productivity. Recent events have shown become scarcer, we should pay the Review. It will be a zero-based hints of a greater willingness inside same attention to resource analysis, meaning departments must Treasury to engage in this debate: the productivity as labour productivity. justify the effectiveness of existing chancellor talked about environmental This project aims to help make this spending as well as bidding for future care as the third plank of the economy approach the norm in economic policy. spending. And although the review will in a speech last year, and be comprehensive, we also know that commissioned the Stern Review on the We are grateful to the East of England the fiscal context is very tight: all economic implications of climate Development Agency, English Nature, departments must make annual change off his own bat. Measures the Environment Agency, the savings of 2.5 per cent in addition to announced in Budget 2006 showed Environmental Services Association the £21 billion of savings implemented recognition of the role of taxes in and RSPB for their support of this as a result of the Gershon Review, and changing behaviour, such as an work. some departments have already had increase in tax for the most fuel- their settlements. Particularly worrying inefficient cars. But despite this For more information contact Hannah are the £200 million cuts facing Defra progress, the vital shift in mindset that Hislop, [email protected]
“7 affordability and susta
Pete Halsall, director of Middlesbrough and West Lothian organic food box delivery, as well as leading to the creation of over 1,500 participation in wider initiatives to BioRegional Quintain, sets new homes and 0.5 million square foot localise food in Brighton. The total cost out how the affordability of commercial space. of these measures is less than 0.25 per cent of the construction cost. Not bad. and environmental agendas Environmental performance is two- Not entirely new either. Council are compatible… fold. We must address and reduce the housing constructed pre and post war loadings that development imposes on was designed with gardens of the environment - emissions to air and sufficient size to support an area for loss of biodiversity, for example - and food growing large enough to feed the at the same time use the process of family. A sustainability measure such evaluation that comes with this to as food growing linked to affordable We are beginning to formulate a systemic model for the housing (or any other housing for that pick up development of designs that are matter) would be a sound, and very commentary that fundamentally compatible with human low cost investment and the somehow a physiological and psychological needs. environmental benefits would be rigorous approach In other words, to create the right considerable. to sustainability - environment for people whilst at the for one achieving same time protecting the environment. Homes and energy are inextricably high standards of Environmental performance put simply linked. With rising fuel prices it may be environmental performance in is the success to which both these that energy prices squeeze net buildings - is not compatible with the ambitions are met. incomes, so that highly energy efficient affordability agenda. Our view is that homes could be considerably more these agendas are wholly compatible, How about we use the environmental affordable in the long term than those and that bringing them together performance process to make housing which are less efficient. Investment in creates tremendous opportunities for more affordable? There are a number highly energy efficient affordable social as well as environmental of means to accomplish this, and we housing could give better certainty of improvement. Moreover, given the must recognise the range of loads that rent payments with considerably lower growing uncertainties we face with we impose on the environment in living fuel costs. energy security, surely now is the time our lives. For those living in homes to use the concept of sustainable built to current building regulations, So what do we do? Our approach here communities to drive clear and food consumption makes up 23 per is again two fold. Firstly we seek to deliverable national goals to secure cent of carbon emissions, whilst home minimise the energy required to heat our future energy needs. heating is responsible for four per cent and power the home. Insulation is of these emissions. We have put cheap. High performance windows are BioRegional Quintain is working to together a fossil fuel dependent food not. However, in the context of create a series of sustainable chain that pumps out vast quantities of development, the additional costs for communities, and these we believe will carbon. Why not catalyse as part of these measures - in most instances set the tone for what can be done. the development process the going beyond building regulations Taking lessons from the BedZED eco- localisation of food systems - thereby requirements but not substantially so - village in South London, it appears supporting impoverished local farmers is unlikely to exceed 1.5 per cent of the that in order to create sustainable low - and integrate productive landscapes construction cost. carbon communities, we need to take a for food growing into developments? lifestyles and infrastructure approach, Doesn’t sound feasible? We’re doing it. Having addressed energy efficiency, we where food and waste are as important then formulate a strategy to deliver as energy efficient buildings and Our Brighton project (170 flats in the decentralised and renewable energy. transport in reducing our carbon centre of Brighton) will incorporate District heating and power is where we impact. We are currently in planning or ‘mini-allotments’ for flat dwellers, a can generate it. This can add legal negotiations to develop projects communal garden for food growing considerable cost in the order of 1.5 in Brighton, Slough, West Molesey, near to the site, design to incorporate per cent of construction cost typically.
“8 ainable communities
We set up an energy company to serve and improved health through Energy Services Company (ESCO) a the development and this company increased walking and public transport necessity. makes the investment in the use. Car clubs are a low cost means to decentralised energy system, which is save carbon and improve well-being. We consider the total extra cost of amortised through making a finance these measures to be around two per charge part of the utility bill with the Sustainable communities are also cent of construction cost. This is overall price matching a basket of about creating social and economic relatively modest and certainly does comparable energy prices in the capital, which are self sustaining. not make the aspiration of sustainable market. The construction cost does not Social capital must exist at a level communities incompatible with the increase in this instance by 1.5 per cent where people feel trust, a sense of affordability agenda. Indeed, this because the renewable energy element security and are at ease with their investment contributes substantially in of the project is financed separately. neighbours. We would go as far as to the long term to affordability, and the Innovative financing is a sensible say that the success of a sustainable additional costs are far outweighed by approach to ensuring that renewable community could be measured by the the considerable social, environmental energy provision can be integrated. If nature and quality of social interaction and economic benefits that accrue. you’re in the development business, that exists. Long term environmental then these days you are wise to performance is driven by the behaviour The government must also get real recognise that you also need to be in pattern of residents so that a close and with energy security issues and ensure the energy business. cohered community where shared that this issue translates effectively social and environmental values into development and planning policy. Carbon emissions from transport are prevail, is also likely to be inherently We are totally reliant on fossil fuels - also considerable, accounting typically more environmentally sustainable. We not just for our home heating and hot for 18 per cent of a new home dweller’s must also consider human health and water, electricity, and petrol/diesel - carbon footprint. The placement of well being in assessing costs and but also for the running of our schools, work and life in adjacency, a benefits of sustainable communities. our hospitals and places of work. Most fundamental principle of sustainable Given a number of alarming trends in critically our food chain is utterly communities, reduces transport obesity, how can we carry on with the dependent on fossil fuels. We could emissions, and addresses one of the development of communities where a one day pay a very heavy price for this core areas driving life dissatisfaction - car based, sedentary lifestyle, with the unnecessary dependency. the commute. A further low cost likelihood of a poor diet are the norm? initiative is to establish ‘car clubs’ as This is not about ‘the good life’. an integral part of a sustainable Government can achieve enormous Sustainable communities are about a community. The car club at BedZED has progress in realising these ambitions. better, healthier, happier, and lower resulted in the largest carbon It will need strong political leadership cost life that is strategically more reductions of all the sustainability and clear vision, together with a intelligent because this holistic measures - including those related to properly joined up process across the approach faces up to the reality of the energy efficiency - with a carbon public and private organisations and threats that we now face: global saving per resident of 1.3 tonnes per sectors involved. The Department for warming primarily due to carbon year. For our new developments we Communities and Local Government emissions and potentially massive estimate the cost of implementing a should make the creation of instability at the centre of our car club - and providing financial sustainable communities its core geopolitical energy supply system. assistance for the first two years to mission: car clubs should be a If we truly are a civilised society, ensure it’s long term viability - to be no requirement for all new developments; concerned about the welfare and more than 0.25 per cent of areas for food growing and measures wellbeing of our fellow citizens and our construction cost. to encourage the localisation of food families, then how can we possibly say should be incorporated in all new that sustainable communities are A number of commercially viable developments; energy efficiency - ‘unaffordable’? providers now exist and the benefits to beyond building regulation those using shared cars are requirements - with decentralised Pete Halsall is managing director of considerable: reduced transport costs renewable energy supported by an BioRegional Quintain Ltd
“9 In water, the affordability Of course, while almost all UK impact (which must be addressed) of a businesses are metered, paying move to full metering on large, low- and sustainability agendas directly for the amount of water they income families affects where and are happily at one: wasting use, only a quarter of UK homes are when “as soon as possible” is judged metered. Metered homes will see a to fall. In fact, large, low-income less means lower bills direct saving on their water bills when families are already paying more as argues Nicci Russell, head they save water - and meters are the number of meters increases, as of policy at Waterwise… generally recognised as a water they are funding the meter “optants” efficiency tool in their own right, through their water bills, but not reducing water consumption by about controlling their own water use 10 per cent. But even unmetered through meters. And a move from the When the BBC homes that save water will save on current method of metering on change recently set heating costs, and ultimately on water of occupancy to full-scale street-by- Waterwise a bills because the water companies will street metering would reap large challenge to make a need to pump and purify less water. economies of scale. Kent family’s house more water efficient The government’s Water Saving Group Without full-scale metering, at low cost, we (on which Waterwise, the water measurement of consumption is expected to save industry, Ofwat, the Environment difficult - and only through the them around 20 per cent of their usual Agency and the Consumer Council for introduction of smart meters, telling us water use. In fact, by putting hippos Water sit), has a workstream looking how much we use as well as when we (cistern displacement devices) into all particularly at how water metering can use it, could variable tariffs be the toilets, fixing dripping taps with be increased in water-stressed areas. A introduced to manage demand. But 10p washers, fitting new shower heads separate workstream is examining how water efficiency can and does happen which used less water but provided the water-stressed areas can be defined, without metering. Although same “shower experience”, providing a but it will come as no surprise to consumption in Britian has been rising washing up bowl, and setting up a readers that the current red zone by around one per cent a year since siphon system for bathwater to the covers the greater South East of the 1930s, Waterwise research found garden, their water bills were cut by a England, and is starting to creep to up to a 10 per cent fall in domestic whopping 40 per cent: all for an outlay Norfolk and Suffolk. consumption across both metered and of twenty quid. unmetered homes during the recent Our European neighbours find it drought and hosepipe bans for 13 Water efficiency has tended to be the incredible that UK water use is not million people. Interestingly, this drop poor cousin of energy efficiency. But metered as a matter of course. The in demand occurred beyond areas like energy efficiency, it can save us view amongst most in the UK water currently under restrictions on water money. Businesses can expect to save world that there should be a move to use, showing that people also respond at least 20 per cent by making their universal metering is usually qualified to media messages, and to water “domestic” processes (such as with “as soon as possible” or “at a company campaigns to save water. catering and toilets) more water cost-effective rate”: therein lies the efficient, and the average home can rub. Concerns about impacts on bills of During the 2005 general election reap similar dividends through small the cost of accelerated meter campaign, Margaret Beckett and behavioural changes and cheap, easy installation, as well as the direct cost Gordon Brown launched Labour’s rural fixes. election manifesto, which included the commitment, “To promote water efficiency and to help vulnerable customers we will work with the water industry and others to establish a go slow water savings body.” The government has taken this and run with it, and shown clear commitment on the to go further. The Code for Sustainable (new) Homes is shaping up really positively, with promised mandatory assessments on water efficiency against tight per-head consumption “10 H2O targets. Government is tackling the possibility than we might have thought If we do not take action now, the UK wider prize through a consultation on in the UK only a few years ago. As will face increased water stress in the mandating water efficiency in new and David Miliband has said, “the simple future. Yet in the UK we act as if water existing buildings due out shortly, with fact is that water is a resource we can grows on trees. The amount we use per legislation to follow. It has set up the no longer take for granted.” person, per day, is steadily rising: the Water Saving Group, chaired first by average in England and Wales is 150 Elliot Morley and now by Ian Pearson The UK has less available water per litres, equivalent to two large bathfuls to focus on water-stressed areas. The person than any other EU country - and is as high as 160 litres in South prime minister has set new water apart from Belgium and Cyprus. East England. Of this, a third goes efficient targets for the government’s London is drier than Istanbul, and the down the toilet, and another third is own estate. Defra has set water South East of England has less water used for baths and showers. efficiency targets for the food industry. available per person than the Sudan And Defra has commissioned and Syria. Indeed, after two dry The key to water efficiency is reducing Waterwise to review the scope of winters, the South East of England is in waste, not restricting use. And there is hosepipe ban legislation - which the grip of the worst drought for 100 a vital role for all of us in this as currently allows patio washing by years. Even if reservoirs are full, there private citizens, as well as for hosepipe but not garden watering. remains a particular problem in the government and the water companies. South East which is dependent for In September 2005, Waterwise was set more than 70 per cent of its public Of course more must be done to tackle up, with a five-year life, to focus on water supply on groundwater leakage, but in fact this accounts for water efficiency. An independent NGO, (unreplenished during the almost 24 the same amount of water that homes Waterwise’s core funding originally consecutive months of below-average and businesses get through (around a came from the water companies, but is rainfall). third each). Through small changes in increasingly matched through behaviour, and the use of more water partnerships with government and efficient products (many at low cost), other NGOs. We work with domestic we can all cut waste - making good and industrial consumers of water, economic, social and environmental with product manufacturers and with sense at home and across the UK. government and other policy-makers on the regulatory framework - but our Water efficiency posters in the 1970s key aim is to provide an economic case asked politely, “Water - please use less supported by hard evidence on the than usual”. Although the slogans are costs per litre of water saved through more punchy now, the message water efficiency measures. remains the same. Turn off the tap Beyond the South East, according to when brushing your teeth, take If we succeed, this should mean that the Environment Agency, the East of showers instead of baths where water companies apply during the next England and South Midlands are most possible, fit a cistern displacement price review in 2009 for funding from vulnerable to drought, but reservoir device in your loo, fix dripping taps, Ofwat (and are awarded it) for large- levels in Wales and the South West re-use your washing up water on scale water efficiency projects like the could drop quickly this summer. Even bedding plants and shrubs, buy a plug refitting of a whole housing estate with Scotland saw a drought two years ago and a washing up bowl, keep a jug of water efficient bathrooms. We are - in Dundee. And of course the cold tap water in the fridge, and only currently involved in around ten environmental problems of dead use your washing machine and projects with water companies to build ducks, toxic algal blooms and rivers dishwasher when they are full. In this evidence base - a year ago, there running dry are already reaching water, the affordability and was only one of a large enough scale across the UK. sustainability agendas are happily at to be statistically reliable (in the South one: wasting less means lower bills - West). So the situation is pretty bad. And of and the tap still running in the future. course, climate change and the new The current level of commitment to housing programmes in the South East Nicci Russell is Head of Policy at water efficiency across government, needed to cope with population shifts Waterwise. Waterwise is a UK NGO regulators, industry and NGOs means will place further pressure on the water focused on decreasing water we can make real progress on water supply network. The Environment consumption in the UK. efficiency in the UK in the next few Agency expects household demand to For water-saving tips, go to years. Indeed, we must, if our taps rise by more than 12 per cent over the www.waterwise.org.uk aren’t to run dry - more of a real next 25 years.
“11 decentralised energy: turning
In today’s modern world In addition, the Council has improved year, the LCCA has been implementing the energy efficiency of the housing a number of initial set up projects, can a society really be stock in its area by 30 per cent, such as carbon accounting, the sustainable and achieving its Home Energy establishment of energy efficiency Conservation Act target one year early. revolving funds for the GLA Group, self-sufficient? The impact of the Council’s Climate Better Buildings Partnership, a Water Allan Jones, CEO of Change Strategy has led to a 17 per Action Plan, waste and transport the London Climate cent reduction in carbon emissions for projects and the establishment of the the whole of the Borough, in excess of London ESCO. Change Agency, sets out the one per cent reduction a year a practical strategy for a necessary to achieve the Royal LDA development projects Commission’s target. The LCCA is working with the LDA to sustainable energy identify local decentralised energy future… In financial terms, the whole systems that could be delivered by an programme in Woking was kick started ESCO. The advantage of such ESCO by a £250,000 energy efficiency developments is that they enable the revolving fund, which by 2004 had LDA to take the lead by ‘showing by saved the Council £5.4 million in its doing’ in the delivery of the London energy and water budgets with an ongoing saving of £1.1 million a year. These savings exclude the return on investment that the Council receives from its shareholding in Thameswey Woking - showing by doing that is reinvested into renewable Woking Borough Council has energy schemes to tackle fuel poverty. implemented a series of decentralised energy projects over the past 15 years: For its own residential tenants the the UK’s first small-scale combined Council has been able to reduce heat and power system (CHP), the first heating costs to £461 per annum with local authority private wire energy a target to achieve to £415 per annum system, the first Energy Services by 2010, compared with the Company (ESCO), the first fuel cell CHP government’s affordable warmth target system and the largest domestic of £520 pa. For private sector residents photovoltaic/CHP installations. more than 3,000 households have been helped with energy conservation “Decentralised energy Between 1990 and 2005, Woking grants to take them out of fuel poverty. is capable of providing Council achieved a 51 per cent Most of these households did not reduction in energy consumption, a 44 qualify for government grants. 35.5 per cent of per cent reduction in water London’s energy consumption and a 79 per cent London Climate Change Agency - reduction in carbon emissions in its showing by doing demand by 2025, own buildings and housing stock. The London Climate Change Agency which would reduce Complimenting the reduction in energy (LCCA) was launched by the mayor in consumption, the Council receives June 2005. Similar to Woking, the LCCA carbon emissions by more than 93 per cent of its electrical has been established as a municipal 33 per cent and natural and thermal energy requirements from company but is owned by the London gas consumption by on site low or zero carbon Development Agency (LDA) and decentralised energy sources. chaired by the mayor. During the past 15 per cent.” “12 green into gold
Plan and the mayor’s Climate Change Government can take an easy first step the UK’s primary energy needs. If the and Energy Strategy. The development to encourage the development of CHP, government looked at this issue in an advice for the proposed Dagenham renewables, microgeneration, fuel cells innovative way, as Woking and London Dock Sustainable Industrial Park 8MW and decentralised energy systems at have done, then it would see that the wind energy system is an early the stroke of a pen: simply by target to reduce carbon emissions by example of such a project. increasing the supply limits for exempt 60 per cent by 2050 could be met as generators, distributors and suppliers well as setting the foundation for a London ESCO so that they are not burdened with sustainable energy future. The barriers EDF Energy was selected as the private centralised energy losses and high use to this are not technical but regulatory sector partner in the London ESCO. The of system charges that increase the and vested interest. London ESCO will design, finance, cost of low or zero carbon energy. build and operate local decentralised Allan Jones is chief executive officer at energy systems for both new and Renewable hydrogen energy economy the London Climate Change Agency existing developments and will be Like electricity, hydrogen is an energy and was previously energy services jointly owned by the London Climate carrier not energy but unlike electricity manger at Woking Borough Council Change Agency (19 per cent hydrogen is zero carbon. Hydrogen shareholding) and EDF Energy (81 per makes up 75 per cent of the known The London Climate Change Agency cent shareholding). universe and can be generated from a has been established with the support variety of resources, including fossil of the following founders: BP, Lafarge, Future energy strategy for London fuels, renewables, biomass and even Legal & General, HSBC, Sir Robert Woking avoided centralised energy algae. But perhaps the greatest McAlpine, Johnson Matthey, and the grid costs by utilising private wire renewable hydrogen resource for a city Corporation of London. The Agency is networks and a local trading system. like London is waste where biogases also being supported by the But the existing regulatory regime and/or syngases can be generated Rockefeller Brothers’ Trust, KPMG, limits the size of decentralised energy from anaerobic digestion and/or Greenpeace, the Climate Group, the and more importantly substantially gasification/pyrolysis. Renewable Carbon Trust and the Energy Savings limits the number of domestic gases are rich in hydrogen and can be Trust. customers than can be supplied with developed, not just from municipal low cost low carbon energy. waste, but also from industrial and commercial waste, sewage waste and Decentralised energy is capable of biomass waste. providing 35.5 per cent of London’s energy demand by 2025, which would Hydrogen will be the energy carrier of reduce carbon emissions by 33 per the future, deriving its energy from cent and natural gas consumption by renewable fuels. Fuel cells and the 15 per cent. If the UK as a whole hydrogen economy used in conjunction adopted decentralised energy this with renewable fuels, is the only would be one billion pounds cheaper technology/fuel that can meet the UK’s (and with lower energy rates) than the electricity, heat and transport energy new nuclear scenario. Much of the needs from renewable sources and a national grid has to be replaced or common energy carrier. Even if the refurbished by 2050, which is the long term environmental impact of government’s timescale for achieving a nuclear waste is ignored, nuclear 60 per cent reduction in carbon energy can only address a emissions. It would be folly to replicate comparatively small portion of the UK’s the existing grid system, which would electricity needs, not the UK’s heat and not be suitable for most forms of low transport energy needs. Only fuel cells or zero carbon energy. and hydrogen can deliver all three of “13 which way china?
Peter Head, director of Arup, explains how Dongtan, the world’s first eco-city is leading the way in urban sustainability…
China is a ‘Open Door Policy’, focusing on rapid However, China seems to be learning civilisation: a economic growth, a new role for the lessons of the limits to growth a lot 5,000-year history markets, investment from the West and more quickly. of ever-growing foreign trade. The world has watched inventiveness and in fascination and trepidation ever When President Hu Jintao took over in refinement. From since, as pictures of vast factories and 2003, searching questions began to be 600 until 1500 AD, gleaming skyscrapers hit our television asked about the trajectory of China’s it was the world’s screens. Twenty-five years ago there development. Since then a new policy most scientifically and technologically was hardly any foreign investment, but emphasis on ‘harmony between advanced society. It led the way in by 2003 it amounted to $680 billion. In humanity and nature’ and on ‘building astronomy, mathematics, medicine, a quarter of a century China’s gross a conservation-oriented and pottery and plant breeding. It invented domestic product increased ten-fold, environment-friendly society’ has the magnetic compass, gunpowder, from $147 billion to over $1.4 trillion. emerged. In recent speeches Chinese cast iron, papermaking and printing. Its foreign trade grew more than forty- leaders have insisted that ‘economic It alternated between being a closed, fold, from $20.5 billion to $850 billion. development must consider its impact inward looking society, and a very on the environment and on society’. open one that sought to link up with But whilst China’s decision to other civilisations. industrialise and to urbanise has translated into a booming economy - China also built the largest and most with Western-style consumerism spectacular cities before the modern spreading across the country - it also “...the planet will not be era, with Beijing reaching some two generated major pollution problems. million people as long ago as the 17th Sulphur and nitrogen oxides have able to cope if 1.3 billion century. However, it also continued to turned China’s air into smog, and Chinese, and 1.2 billion be a land of villages and farmers. urban sewage, fertiliser run-off from Under Mao this trend was strongly farms and industrial chemicals are Indians behave in the same emphasised and China became a poisoning its rivers. There is also an way as only a few hundred champion of village industries, increasingly global dimension; with collective farms and local self- one new coal-fired power station being million people have done sufficiency. built every week, and with China’s car so far - extracting production now nudging up to that of resources, consuming and All that changed after Mao’s death. In Japan, its cabon emissions are 1978 Deng Xiaoping launched China’s catching up with those of the US. polluting.”
“14 There is growing evidence that these messages are increasingly informing the decisions of government officials and planners. One significant development is that the Shanghai Industrial Investment Corporation has commissioned the world’s first purpose-built eco-city - Dongtan. It will be built on Chongming Island in the Yangtze River Delta on an area three quarters the size of Manhattan - 86 square kilometers. By 2010 it will be a city of 25,000 people, by 2030 it will Photo courtesy of Arup reach some 500,000. It is being designed as a beautiful and truly Chongming’s existing local farming and be completed by 2010, is a town of sustainable city with a minimal fishing communities will have some 25,000. A tunnel and bridge, ecological footprint. The goal is to use significant new marketing opportunities linking Chongming Island to Shanghai, Dongtan as a template for future urban with the development of Dongtan, is already under construction. In 2010 design and with China planning to ensuring a high degree of local food Shanghai will host the World Expo and build no less than 400 new cities in the self-sufficiency and enhancing the the completion of the first phase of next 20 years, Dongtan’s success is of island’s long-term environmental and Dongtan will demonstrate that crucial importance. social sustainability at the same time. environmental sustainability and access to nature are very much part of I have had the privilege to be working Ironically Dongtan is being built on an new development in China. as a senior advisor on the Dongtan island in the Yangtze Delta that is, in project with the global engineering itself, a product of environmental Dongtan is a local project with a global and design consultancy, Arup. The first catastrophe. In the last 50 years perspective, designed to assure that phase of Dongtan Eco-City is conceived Chongming Island has become the China will play a key role in the as a town consisting of three compact, world’s largest alluvial island, doubling emergence of a world of ecologically pedestrian ‘villages’, each with its own in size, due to eroding soil from and economically sustainable human distinct character. The city will then deforestation washing down the river settlements. It is becoming clear that continue to grow as a collection of in the headwaters of Yangtze. the planet will not be able to cope if towns connected by cycle routes and Chongming has grown from 600 square 1.3 billion Chinese, and 1.2 billion public transport corridors, allowing kilometers in 1950, to 1290 square Indians behave in the same way as inhabitants access to different parts of kilometers today. only a few hundred million people the city by tram, bus, bicycle, as well have done so far - extracting as on foot. The aim is to ensure that One reason for the decision to create a resources, consuming and polluting. people will have to walk no more than new city of minimal environmental As high-population countries such as seven minutes from any part of the city impact on Chongming Island is the China and India catch up with Europe, to reach a bus or tram stop. existence of a huge wetland area on North America, Japan and Australia, the southern part of the island, which worldwide sustainable development is Dongtan’s design is based on the is a reserve for migrating birds and the the only way to go. principle that all its citizens should be largest of its kind in China. The in close contact with green open wetlands will be preserved and provide Dongtan is intended to set an example. spaces, lakes and canals. Its buildings a strong visitor attraction. Vegetation It will be a pioneering eco-city that will be highly energy efficient, and the from the wetland reserve will also could become a blueprint for city will be largely powered by permeate Dongtan, assuring that it sustainable urban development, in renewable energy - the wind, the sun becomes part of the island’s natural China itself and elsewhere in the and biomass. habitat, rather than a barrier to it. world. It holds the promise of a high- efficiency, small-footprint urban Most of Dongtan’s waste output will be With Dongtan, a sustainable future is design. By 2010 Dongtan will be a recycled and composted. The bulk of not some distant dream, but a vision compelling model for how to build its organic wastes will be returned to that is actually being realised. The sustainable cities worldwide that may the local farmland to help assure its strategy for Dongtan eco-city is for it to well be too persuasive to ignore. long-term fertility and its capacity to be developed in several stages in the produce much of the city’s food needs. next 30 to 40 years. The first phase, to Peter Head is director of Arup
“15 Green Alliance is an independent staff news fellow in the Environment Group at charity. Our mission is to promote the Policy Studies Institute will provide the ideal platform for Stephen Hale joined Green Alliance sustainable development developing some of the ideas as director in July 2006. He evolving from his work at Green by ensuring that the previously worked at Defra as special Alliance. We warmly congratulate him environment is at the heart adviser to Rt Hon Margaret Beckett and wish him all the very best. of decision-making. We work MP (2003-06) and Michael Meacher MP (2002-03). He has also worked on We've had some very valued interns with senior people in government, environmental issues in the private this quarter and would like to thank sector and as a campaigner in the business and the environmental them all for the help they have given voluntary sector. Stephen is looking movement to encourage new ideas, us over the last few months. Our forward to meeting and working with thanks go to: Tim Cadman; Maureen dialogue and constructive solutions. Green Alliance’s supporters over the Murphy; and Andreea Stamate. We coming months. are also pleased to welcome some staff new interns: Madeline Hodge who Guy Thompson has moved to Natural will be assisting on fundraising; and England to become director of director Stephen Hale Mark Anslow who will be assisting external relations. The trustees and head of policy Russell Marsh the policy team on administration all at Green Alliance would like to policy officers Tracy Carty and research. Hannah Hislop thank Guy for his outstanding contribution over the last two years Rebekah Phillips and to wish him well. head of resources Louise Humphrey member news communications adviser Karen Crane In September we say goodbye to fundraising and Ben Shaw who joined Green Alliance We welcome David Aeron-Thomas, communications manager Rachel Butterworth in 1999 and as one of the senior Anne Ashe, Zoe Bremer, Tim Cadman, office manager/ PA to the director Kathryn Cook policy staff has led our work on Paula Hollings, Maureen Murphy, waste and resources, amongst other Paul Pritchard, Alison Richards, issues. Combining intellectual rigour Charlotte Steel, Corinne Tellier and Green Globe Network with huge enthusiasm he has most Guy Thompson. convenor Charlotte Granville- recently headed up the ‘Closing the West Loop’ project as well as co-authoring Special thanks go to our new donor contact each staff member at: four major reports on the subject. members Polly Higgins, Paul [email protected] His new role as senior research Medlicott and Matthew Thomson. associates Ian Christie
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