Citywide Climate Change Strategy & Action Plan 2010

Citywide Climate Change Strategy & Action Plan 2010 - 2020

Delivering Newcastle’s Sustainable Community Strategy

Foreword

We realise the need for a citywide climate change strategy, one that provides a comprehensive response to the threats and opportunities that we face. We also recognise the urgent need to secure a low carbon future and prepare for a changing climate. I’m proud to say the strategy goes much further than before. It raises our ambitions and sets out how we plan to deliver against national and European commitments. At the heart of the strategy is our Sustainable Energy Action Plan that sets out a scenario to reduce our carbon emissions, and makes us confident enough to commit to our Newcastle Climate Change Declaration, adopted by the full Council in March 2010. The strategy also contains plans to adapt to the impacts of a changing climate. These will help us to seize the opportunities that a low carbon future presents, and to protect our heritage and citizens into a sustainable future.

We all have a part to play, from our day-to-day actions and efforts to live in a low carbon future, to the development, delivery and uptake of physical measures to minimise our impact on the environment. This presents significant economic opportunities for our City. However, we cannot do this without understanding and preparing to live with the inevitable risks of a changing climate.

Although the strategy lays the foundations for these actions, achieving our goals will not be easy. In this time of austerity we need to be bold in our choices and strong in our convictions, so that we make the decisions necessary for the future. But whilst many would feel overwhelmed by these challenges, I feel quite the opposite. What makes me confident in our ability to achieve our aspirations is the distance we have already travelled. All the organisations involved have already made tremendous progress and in 2009 we were ranked the most sustainable city in the UK. However, we must not rest on our laurels. The amount of work required to translate the strategy into reality is huge, and with research on climate change becoming ever more refined, our understanding of how to tackle the issues broadens and deepens on a daily basis. As a result, the strategy becomes a defining moment on our journey.

Cllr David Faulkner Chair of Newcastle Partnership Leader of Newcastle City Council 0

Content:

Executive Summary ...... 2

1. Introduction...... 6

2. Baseline Emissions...... 10

3. Targets...... 11

4. Trend Data...... 12

5. Sustainable Energy Action Plan...... 13

6. Mitigation – Policy, Research and Innovation...... 19

7. Awareness, Communications & Behavioural Change...... 28

8. Adaptation – Policy, Research & Innovation...... 34

9. Highways Infrastructure...... 38

10. Council Buildings & Assets...... 43

11. Council Fleet & Travel...... 47

12. Local Development Framework and Regeneration ...... 51

13. Domestic Housing...... 55

14. Transport...... 62

15. Economic Development & Private Sector Engagement...... 67

16. Drainage & Flood Management...... 71

17. Appendix A – Electricity, Gas and Heat Consumption in Newcastle...... 76

18. Appendix B – The Newcastle Climate Change Declaration ...... 80

19. Glossary...... 81

Executive Summary This strategy sets out our overall programme for tackling climate change. It outlines our targets, our data, current governance arrangements and our calculations for delivering carbon reductions. However, more importantly it sets out a series of action plans around how we plan to deliver carbon emissions reductions from Newcastle. It also sets out some of our current and future work to tackle the adaptation agenda. Detailed information on these aims can be found in the main report, but it is briefly summarised here.

By signing the EU ‘Covenant of Mayors’ agreement, we are committed to delivering a reduction in carbon emissions in excess of 20% by 2020, we are using a 2005 baseline. Newcastle’s carbon footprint is approximately 1.9 million tonnes of CO2 per year as measured in 2005 by the national indicator NI186 – this is our baseline. This means the Council’s operational share is approximately 3.8% (72,000 t CO2). Reducing the remaining 96.2% requires a strong partnership approach. Delivery of this strategy will be overseen by the Climate Change Partnership within the Newcastle Partnership.

In England and Wales the Climate Change Act 2008 adopts an 80% reduction by 2050 from a 1990 baseline; this includes a 34% reduction by 2020. Our strategy is aligned accordingly, meaning a 20% reduction from 2005 to 2020 will deliver Newcastle’s part in achieving an emissions level as per the national carbon budget. Our commitment under the EU Covenant of Mayors on Sustainable Energy requires the development of a Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) in line with these targets; this has helped inform the development of the action plans set out in the main document.

The SEAP carbon reduction scenario includes the scale of interventions across 29 potential measures. By delivering all of these by 2020 we will deliver our overall targets for carbon reductions in the city, as set out above. The calculations from the SEAP are then used to help inform the scale of required delivery programmes within some of the work streams and action plans in the main document. The main areas of work are as follows:

The Mitigation – Policy Research & Innovation work stream has been working with partners to collate relevant information to help inform deliver of measures. One of the key projects has been developed as part of the Science City Partnership. The Newcastle Carbon Routemap project has been developing a database for the purposes of understanding the energy and carbon profile of Newcastle upon Tyne at building level. This will help to evaluate future investment options in retro-fit programmes and support the development of decentralised energy projects. To date, we have collated aerial thermal heat maps and building height data to inform roof orientation and pitch, developed a detailed profile of the housing stock covering age and type and collated relevant insulation data sets in GIS. Individual housing energy profiles are being developed in partnership with Newcastle University & NaREC to refine this tool and help inform policy. We have also developed a series of energy maps which help show the spatial distribution of energy demand across the city. Future efforts will expand the database to industrial and commercial buildings, including public sector.

The Awareness, Communications and Behavioural Change work stream seeks to bring about broader awareness of Climate Change across the City and with it the necessary behavioural changes in response to the associated challenges. This approach is intended to give our residents the opportunity to improve their knowledge around the causes and impact of climate change and encourage them to take positive action to reduce carbon emissions and help create local sustainable communities. Progress made to date together with intended future actions falls within the following broad areas: 1. OurNewcastle 2

2. Enviro Schools 3. Electricity Monitors scheme 4. Campaign Working with Warmzone 5. Reductions to Landfill 6. City Life 7. Climate Change Partnership 8. Events 9. Support of National and International Events

The Adaptation – Policy, Research & Innovation work stream aims to further our understanding of the way climate change is likely to impact on Newcastle to enable us to plan accordingly. Whether it is building bridges or refurbishing our housing stock, a more detailed understanding of our likely climate will help us prepare for the challenges that lie ahead in providing facilities and services in a different environment. We are in the early days of forming an adaptation sub-group of the Newcastle Partnership. The resilience planning service has begun the process of producing a series of response plans for severe weather events. Resources have been identified to produce a Local Climate Impacts Profile, with strong progress already made. We are also in the process of using the knowledge developed through the North East adaptation study to identify historical impacts of weather events on services. Next steps include implementing a prioritised, risk-based approach to weather events and climatic patterns and enable organisations within the partnership to begin to consider the impacts of a changing climate on the services that they provide. By the end of 2012, we aim to have a comprehensive action plan, with prioritised actions, which we will implement, monitor and continuously review.

The Highways Infrastructure work stream looks towards the City Council’s Highways Asset Management Plan (HAMP). The HAMP is a strategic document that is regularly reviewed and updated to take account of national standards, guidelines and codes of practice that will include future changes due to climate change. The current asset management processes and life cycle plans will be reviewed and updated to take account of climate change. They include a risk-based approach to identify the adaptation and mitigation measures required to minimise future disruption and costs caused by climate change and reduce CO2 emissions.

The Council Buildings & Assets work stream has been delivering many carbon saving projects. Carbon saving technologies include the fitting of automatic lighting controls, heating controls, voltage optimisation and automatic meter readers. A staff awareness campaign has been running which includes the use of awareness raising methods such as posters, staff payslips, training sessions and online information. Many future projects are planned and the carbon saving is estimated to be over 2,700 tonnes. Future main areas of focus for this work stream include the role out of energy efficient lighting, building insulation, biomass boilers and further staff awareness. The Council has also secured the Carbon Trust Standard, recognising our approach to carbon management. The award of the standard confirms our approach to carbon saving and delivers a benefit under the Carbon Reduction Commitment legislation.

The Council Fleet & Travel work stream has focused on identifying methods to reduce carbon emissions associated with the Council’s overall fleet and travel incurred by its officers and Councillors. There are three main elements of the work stream – • The Green Fleet Strategy • Participation in the electric vehicles and associated infrastructure strategy • Internal staff and Member travel protocols

The Local Development Framework and Regeneration work stream aims to address the impacts of new developments on climate change through the LDF by promoting a range of adaptation methods and identifying achievable policy targets. The LDF will consider and help to address the national targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Work set out in the full document is structured around the following key areas: • Improving Energy Efficiency • Renewable and Low Carbon Sources of Electricity • Decentralised Energy Production • Sustainable Waste Management • Water Management • Green infrastructure and biodiversity

The Domestic Housing work stream aims to address emissions from approximately 122,000 domestic properties in Newcastle, which contribute 34% of the CO2 generated by Newcastle. Reducing the CO2 generated in the domestic sector not only makes a substantial contribution towards the overall targets but will also contribute towards improving living standards by helping to reduce fuel poverty and improving the physical condition of the property. Newcastle Warm Zone (NWZ) started in April 2004, with the primary aims of significantly reducing fuel poverty and improving energy efficiency across all of the city's households by offering free or discounted insulation and heating measures Up to August 2010, NWZ has: • Completed over 77,000 home energy efficiency / fuel poverty assessments; • Delivered almost 45,000 insulation measures and 310,000 low energy light bulbs; • Secured over £7.5 million in new benefits income; and, • Led to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of approximately 25,000 tonnes each year (the carbon emissions equivalent of taking around 8,000 cars off the road for good).

The Transport work stream includes the following activity: • Reducing the need to travel • Providing lower carbon public transport • Promoting the integration of transport modes • Promoting other sustainable modes (walking, cycling) • Promoting change through better information • Reducing CO2 from business-related travel and the distribution of goods

The Economic Development & Private Sector Engagement work stream aims to: • Reduce carbon emissions from the private, public and voluntary sectors and enable firms to increase competitiveness through reduced energy efficiency; • Ensure that businesses take necessary mitigation steps to combat climate change; • Stimulate growth of low-carbon industries in Newcastle. Future work will cover issues such as: • Energy Performance Contracting Pilot - A critical study to assess current European practices for energy contracting, the potential to adopt an appropriate model for Newcastle, estimate the emissions reduction that are achievable, and finally a route plan to facilitate the implementation of such an energy performance contract. • Support ONE to implement the findings of the Economic Implications of Climate Change Regional Study • Work with the Carbon Trust and Business Enterprise North East, Chambers of Commerce and other partners to ensure our businesses access the support available to enterprises to improve energy efficiency • Support 1NG to implement one of their four priorities of the 1PLAN – to break the link between economic growth and carbon emissions. This will include the development of a more detailed low-carbon action plan for NewcastleGateshead

The Drainage & Flood Management work stream continues to develop its relationships with the Environment Agency and Northumbrian Water. These links have worked well when we have had to deal with potential flooding events, particularly in the Ouseburn Catchment. The Flood and Water Act gives local authorities an enhanced local role, including the leadership and accountability for ensuring the effective management of local flood risk. A first stage in reviewing the risk management of surface water flooding has been the updating of the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA). This has provided a basis for a Surface Water Management Plan being prepared jointly with Gateshead Council. These studies will ensure that development takes place in a sustainable fashion by avoiding areas prone to flooding while not adversely affecting properties elsewhere by causing flooding.

A Drainage Asset Management Plan will be needed to provide more detail about critical infrastructure that if not maintained or improved could lead to flooding. It will allow residents access to information about how the various agencies are carrying out their responsibilities. Environment Agency Tyne Catchment Flood Management Plan indicates: • +20% increase in peak flows for future flood levels • +10% increase in rainfall intensity • +7mm/yr rise in sea-levels • Affect on tidal reaches

We have also begun ad-hoc adaptation responses, such as installing airbrick flood protectors in hotspot locations, raising the bridge in Whitebridge park to reduce flow restrictions and debris. Retention tanks have also been installed in some of the schools in the council’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project. These help regulate discharge of water into drainage systems, reducing costs and ensuring a smaller peak discharge burden to the overall infrastructure.

All these plans aim to secure a long-term sustainable future for Newcastle, protecting us from climate change while maintaining economic prosperity; the challenges of peak oil are looming. The Council and partners are trying to be ambitious, yet realistic, delivering within an environment of limited resources and prioritising areas considered to be most feasible. As national and international efforts progress we will expand the scope of our work around climate change and develop appropriate plans and services.

1. Introduction

The Newcastle Partnership counts the global phenomenon of climate change among its most significant local challenges. We accept that climate change has far reaching implications for Newcastle’s people and understand the need to do as much as possible locally to reduce its effects. We are not starting from scratch on this – Newcastle is already recognised as the most sustainable city in the UK but we know that we can and must do more.

Addressing this global challenge presents a number of opportunities for Newcastle to strengthen its economy through science and technology. The increased and shared responsibility for our environment provides an opportunity to remodel, reinvigorate and strengthen our communities.

1.1. What is this document?

This strategy sets out our overall programme for tackling climate change. It outlines our targets, our data, current governance arrangements and our calculations for delivering carbon reductions. However, more importantly it sets out a series of action plans around how we plan to deliver carbon emissions reductions from Newcastle. It also sets out some of our current and future work to tackle the adaptation agenda.

By signing the EU ‘Covenant of Mayors’ agreement, we are committed to delivering a reduction in carbon emissions in excess of 20% by 2020, we are using a 2005 baseline. This document builds upon the City Council’s first Climate Change Strategy1, which set out in detail the climate change science and agenda, and mainly focused on the internal City Council carbon management strategy. This document focuses on citywide emissions and what all partners can do in Newcastle to reduce our contribution to climate change, whilst also providing an update on the operational activity of the City Council. It does not cover all sources of greenhouse gas emissions, focusing only on certain carbon emissions – see Section 2.1.

1.2. How does this link to our Sustainable Community Strategy?

The SCS outlines our vision for the environment: “Newcastle in 2030 will be a sustainable city with excellent green infrastructure and air quality, low waste levels, low carbon emissions and high recycling rates.” Climate change is identified in Newcastle’s Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS) as one of the six big challenges for the city over the next 20 years. Our climate change challenge is twofold: firstly to reduce our contribution to climate change and in doing so benefit economically and socially from the emerging green economy; and, making sure we can adapt to the likely effects of future climate change.

Newcastle’s Local Area Agreement (LAA: 2008-2011) outlines the priorities emerging from the Sustainable Community Strategy and sets out areas for improvement on those priorities. In implementing this Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, we will contribute directly to the following LAA priority targets in Newcastle:

• NI 186 Per capita CO2 emissions in the LA area • NI 187 Tackling fuel poverty – people receiving income based benefits living in homes with a low energy efficiency rating

1 Available at www.newcastle.gov.uk/climatechange

Newcastle named UK's most sustainable City

Newcastle has been acclaimed the most sustainable city in the UK in an influential new report acknowledging success in promoting environmental and sustainability issues. Forum for the Future, a sustainable development group which works with leading organisations in business and the public sector, analysed environmental performance, quality of life and future proofing for the UK’s 20 largest cities. Newcastle was elevated to the top of its environmental league table and in a strong overall performance finished fourth in both quality of life and future proofing.

Air quality Newcastle 20 Recycling Biodiversity 15 Economy Waste 10

5 Food Eco Footprint 0

Climate change Employment

Green Space Transport

Health Education

It is important to note that this reflects achievements across a range of indicators, of which climate change is only one area.

1.3. How will this be delivered?

1.3.1. Newcastle Climate Change Partnership - Governance

Some of the key initiatives that will deliver carbon reductions during the next 10 years are set out in this document. To deliver these initiatives, we have established a Climate Change Partnership within the Newcastle Partnership and have structured our work programme into themed areas, with 11 work streams. The Partnership includes partners from the public, private, academic and voluntary sectors all of which have a critical role to play in both reducing the city’s carbon footprint and ensuring resilience to the effects of climate change. The partnership also aims to identify and exploit opportunities from climate change such as the development of Newcastle as a major centre for research, development and manufacture of renewable energy technologies. This document goes on to explain the activity of these work streams and in so doing presents a broad climate change programme. We do however, accept that not all activity falls within specific work streams and the structure of this work changes constantly to reflect priorities and progress.

1.3.2. How can I get involved?

Our Climate Change Partnership already includes organisations from all sectors in the city. But we welcome other organisations that want to get involved in carbon reduction and climate change adaptation activity. And, perhaps more importantly, we encourage all individuals to do what they can to reduce their carbon emissions; this document sets out some of the routes to getting involved and taking further action. If you want to find out more about what you or your organisation can do to make Newcastle an even more sustainable city then go to: www.newcastle.gov.uk/climatechange

We will also develop a mailing system to help keep organisations and individuals informed and involved with progress, follow the link above to subscribe.

A public consultation was undertaken on this strategy & action plan during July and August 2010. An online system with a series of questions was developed to submit comments and a public drop-in session was facilitated. A summary of the consultation responses to the strategy & action plan are published alongside this document.

2. Baseline Emissions

Newcastle’s carbon footprint is approximately 1.9 million tonnes of CO2 per year as measured in 2005 by the national indicator NI186 – this is our baseline. This means the Council’s operational share is approximately 3.8% (72,000 t CO2). Reducing the remaining 96.2% requires a strong partnership approach.

Industrial and Commercial emissions, as measured above, includes public sector activities, such as City Council, NHS and Universities.

2.1. Scope of emissions

The above carbon footprint for Newcastle upon Tyne mainly includes emissions from gas and electricity use and road transport fuels. It excludes emissions from motorways, shipping and aviation and those covered by the EU Emissions Trading Schemes (although those from power stations are reallocated, based on consumption). It does not include emissions that have been released in other countries as result of meeting our own consumption and demand.

It is also important to note that the scope of emissions measured by NI186 does not include wider greenhouse gases (GHGs), so the impact of methane from biodegradable waste in landfill is not measured within this strategy.

To put all this in context, the above scope of emissions suggests carbon emissions for a resident of Newcastle upon Tyne to be approximately 7.1 t CO2 per capita. More holistic methods of measuring personal GHGs including some of the sources mentioned above, for the average resident in the UK suggest something like 13-14 t CO2 per capita. However, the justification for using this scope of emissions is that local authorities and their partners can have a direct impact on these emissions sources and therefore we are targeting our efforts to these sectors, although not excluding actions to tackle other sources of emissions.

3. Targets

3.1. National Trends – Climate Change Act 2008 (CCA)

In England and Wales the Climate Change Act adopts an 80% reduction by 2050 from a 1990 baseline; this includes a 34% reduction by 2020. In aligning our Climate Change Strategy with the national targets we have assumed that between 1990 to 2005 there has been a reduction of 14%, this has mainly been achieved by a reduction in the use of coal in power stations. Thus a 20% reduction from 2005 to 2020 will deliver Newcastle’s part in achieving an emissions level as per the national carbon budget. This has also been undertaken in preparation for potential future statutory local targets or agreements with central Government that might be developed through, for example, Local Carbon Frameworks.

The chart below illustrates the various local carbon reduction targets that we are working to in Newcastle, and how they relate to the national context. The red line represents the trajectory we are planning for in the carbon reduction scenario and action plans set out in this document.

Newcastle Climate Change Targets

100

95 Climate Change Act (National) 90

85 Covenant of Mayors (Newcastle) 80

75 Covt of Mayors targets (New)

100% 70 mapped onto Climate Change Act

65 NI186 - CO2 per capita (Newcastle) 60

55 NI186 - CO2 per capita mapped onto Percentage reduction from 1990 baseline of of baseline 1990 from reduction Percentage 50 Climate Change Act 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020

Years

3.2. EU Covenant of Mayors (CoM)

All 12 regional local authorities have signed up to the EU Covenant of Mayors on Sustainable Energy. This is a commitment to go beyond a 20% reduction by 2020. As per the requirements of this scheme, the City Council has developed a Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) which outlines our baseline and from what sectors and through which measures we will make savings, including estimated costs. This in turn drives the development of the action plans set out below.

4. Trend Data At the time of writing, the most recent data suggest from 2005-2008 approximately a 7% reduction in per capita emissions (although only a 4% reduction in total emissions). This data should be used with caution, recent winters have been mild and the dataset is not seasonally adjusted. It is also anticipated that the recession will have a dramatic reduction on emissions, but that these will go back up in due course.

The chart below presents local energy data with more historic trends in emissions from different sectors. Savings have been made in gas consumption from both sectors, however, electricity consumption has not fallen significantly, generally energy efficiency savings have been offset by increased use of electrical items.

Gas & Electricity use in Newcastle: Domestic & Commercial 2,500

2,000 Domestic Gas

1,500 Commercial and Industrial Gas 1,000 Domestic Electricity

GWh (gigawatt hours) (gigawatt GWh 500 Commercial and Industrial Electricity - 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Domestic Gas 2,103 2,122 2,142 2,164 2,163 2,069 1,997.3 1,992.1 Commercial and Industrial 1,478 1,567 1,667 1,474 1,435 1,320 1,281.3 1,261.7 Gas Domestic Electricity 490 494 491 485 476.0 454.2 Commercial and Industrial 675 910 942 942 908.6 912.2 Electricity Years

5. Sustainable Energy Action Plan

The table below outlines a carbon reduction scenario with interventions across 29 potential measures and has been calculated to deliver the overall targets for carbon reductions in the city, as set out above. It is these calculations that have informed the development of the Newcastle Declaration on Climate Change which is presented at the front of this document. The calculations also help to inform the scale of required delivery programmes within some of the work streams and action plans set out below. INTERVENTION 2005-2010 2005-2020 Combined Heat and Power Biomass (CHP) 0 MWe 0 MWe CHP Large Gas 0 MWe 0 MWe CHP Buildings Gas 0 MWe 15 MWe Heat from Power Station 0 MWth 0 MWth Photo-Voltaic Domestic 50 homes 3,000 homes PV Non Domestic 0 MWe 0 MWe Wind Large 0 MWe 0 MWe Wind Medium 0 MWe 3 MWe Wind Domestic 0 homes 100 homes Solar Thermal Domestic 100 homes 5,000 homes Biomass Boilers Domestic 50 homes 500 homes Biomass Boilers Non Domestic 0.1 MWth 1 MWth Ground Source Heat Pump Domestic 10 homes 500 homes Cavity Wall Insulation Domestic 17,000 homes 27,000 homes Loft Insulation Domestic 26,000 homes 41,000 homes Double Glazing Domestic 10,000 homes 20,000 homes Solid Wall Insulation Domestic 20 homes 10,000 homes Energy Efficient Lighting Commercial 0 (000’s m2) 0 (000’s m2) Double Glazing Commercial 0 (000’s m2) 0 (000’s m2) Street Lighting Efficient Lamps 0 lamps 0 lamps Domestic gas use reduction by behavioural change 5% 10% Domestic electricity use reduction by behavioural 0% 10% change Non-domestic gas use reduction by behavioural change 5% 20% Non-domestic electricity use reduction by behavioural 0% 10% change Transport fuel use reduction by behavioural change 1% 4% Road transport efficiency improvements 2% 12% Replace road transport fuels with biofuels 3,000,000 litres 13,079,000 litres Replace road transport fuels with electricity 0 (000’s litres) 4,844,000 litres Greening Grid 0% 20%

Due to the complexities of calculating the above carbon reduction scenario, the limitations around funding options and the statutory framework within which partners must operate, the scale and numbers against different potential interventions is constantly changing. However, at the time of writing this represents the best estimates available. The above scenario will be the subject of many future re-writes and re-calculations. A more detailed methodology is provided below. 13

ear y er p 000’s tonnes 000’s tonnes

ear y er p £’000’s

5.1. SEAP – Methodology and Assumptions

Vantage Point software has been used to generate this scenario and NI 186 has been used as the scope of emissions. Many sources of information have been fed into the software to generate this scenario and there remains a lot of work to refine the process. It is not feasible to list all the sources of information here, but some of the key factors are outlined below.

Firstly, business as usual projections – the software assumes a growth rate of approximately 2.7% and is based on projected population and housing allocations and anticipated economic growth. A 2.7% growth in carbon emissions as a result of anticipated growth by 2020 is taken into account in the overall carbon reduction calculations. Further work is required to refine these assumptions based on the Local Development Framework and adopted national standards for new build.

The 15MWe CHP Buildings represents a very large heat network in Newcastle that would need to feed many properties of different types. The City is working with partners to refine this assumption and it may be that the chosen technology could be Biomass CHP. At this time it is unlikely to include Heat from Power Stations.

A large programme of PV on domestic homes is anticipated, due to the introduction of Feed-in Tariffs and a similar programme is anticipated for solar thermal once the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme is implemented.

The installation of biomass fired heating systems (without CHP) has been included under biomass boilers non-domestic. This includes developments such as Building Schools for the Future projects and Riverside Dene district heating systems. However, in the scenario the projected increased use of biomass for heating is anticipated to rise sharply, but this will be limited by the availability of sustainably sourced biomass at a competitive price. Further work is required to fully understand the full potential of this fuel as an alternative to traditional fossil fuels and air quality considerations will need to be taken into account as schemes develop. A small programme of domestic biomass heating has also been included.

The potential of heat pumps is still to be explored. A small programme of ground source heat pumps in domestic properties has been included, however, due to the nature of this technology and homes in Newcastle tending to have relatively smaller gardens, it is not anticipated that this will offer potential for a large carbon savings project in Newcastle. Air source heat pumps have not been specifically included in this scenario, but they will offer a potential solution for many properties, particularly downstairs Tyneside flats, exploring the potential of this technology will be the subject of future scenario refinement. For the sack of accounting at this stage air source heat pumps are included as ground source heat pumps.

A programme of medium scale wind has been included, but it is unclear at this stage whether there will be suitable sites within Newcastle, the Local Development Framework will help to review the potential for this technology. A small programme of domestic wind has been included which could be developed around high-rise buildings.

Continuation of insulation programmes is critical as they offer the cheapest carbon savings, but there will need to be an expansion beyond the current range of measures targeting loft and cavity insulation, moving into Solid Wall insulation programmes. Work undertaken to calculate and target these interventions is outlined below.

Some of the measures included in Your Homes Newcastle’s Decent Homes programme have been included, most noticeably the installation of double glazing. It is also anticipated that this trend will be mirrored in the improvements of the private sector stock.

The scenario has been developed using a limited list of potential interventions and some large savings have been attributable to behavioural change from domestic and non-domestic consumption. This is based on the assumption that increased awareness and understanding of climate change will lead to more environmental friendly behaviour, however, there are also a number of know trends taken into account. The EU programme to tackle the electrical efficiency of goods in the home has been factored in here as has the replacement of inefficient boilers, simple heating control measures and a range of other considerations are lumped together here, this is why a 10% savings has been assigned to both gas and electricity in homes.

In the non-domestic sector even larger figures have been used; a 20% saving from gas consumption and a 10% saving from electricity has been included. The justification for this is similar to the domestic sector, in that the limited list of options available with Vantage Point means a range of other issues have to be included under behavioural change. The EU product policy, the Carbon Reduction Commitment, the impact of Energy Performance Certificates, the support programmes of the Carbon Trust and others are all factored in here. This also includes savings made from public sector activity. To strengthen the robustness of the scenario, future efforts will be made to expand the list of interventions and reduce the clustering of measures attributable to behavioural change.

For transport emissions, assumptions have been made that a 4% shift from traditional fuel use will be achieved. This is based on modal shifts from the private motor vehicle to public transport, cycling and walking, but also efficiencies from green travel plans, freight distribution centres and a range of other measures sit behind this figure.

Internationally, efforts to manufacture more efficient vehicles have been accounted for by a 12% savings from transport. This figure is lower than the anticipated efficiencies because generally, we are travelling more in private vehicles. It is recognised that the logical hierarchy to emissions reductions from transport is to focus first on modal shift, then demand management and only then should alternative fuels become a viable option. The EU target for 10% biofuels has been included, as has a programme of electric vehicles. Based on a 5% shift to electric vehicles, this equates to only a 3% displacement of transport fuels due to the vehicles likely to be replaced with electric vehicles already having a much higher mile per gallon consumption.

Account has also been taken for 20% renewable electricity target in the national grid, which will reduce the carbon intensity of electricity consumption in Newcastle and therefore the associated carbon emissions will fall. There are still some potential issues around double counting of savings from local electricity generation and its contribution to national grid factors, we will continue to refine these calculations to address some of these issues. We recognise that should the mix of renewable electricity in the national grid go further than 20%, our carbon reduction targets would 17

be higher. The remainder of this document sets out in further detail the action to deliver the above scenario and the city’s wider climate change programme. It is structured around the chart on page 8 above.

5.2. Capital Expenditure

The scenario above provides an account of the required capital expenditure against some of the 29 measures. This information is for guidance purposes only. Further work to both refine these costs and to secure the capital to deliver many of these will be the subject on ongoing work. This will constantly change due to the many variables around the business case for different options. Issues such as grants, legislation, tariffs, costs and efficiencies of technologies, energy costs, maintenance and installation costs are all constantly changing. The City Council and partners obviously operate within national legal frameworks and work with national and European developments; as these progress, so will the mix and scale of the measures within the scenario change. We are watching closely the development of national policy, including the Green Deal, the Green Investment Bank and European funding opportunities such as ELENA and the European Investment Bank.

6. Mitigation – Policy, Research and Innovation

What we’ve achieved so far:

In order to accelerate the delivery of carbon reduction interventions the City Council has been working with partners to collate relevant information. One of the key projects has been developed as part of the Science City Partnership. The Newcastle Carbon Routemap project has been developing a database for the purposes of understanding the energy and carbon profile of Newcastle upon Tyne at building level. This will enable us to interrogate this database to understand the remaining and/or future potential of different types of interventions, and to identify the buildings suitable for the measures included in the above scenario. At a more detailed level, Newcastle University have been working with NaREC and the City Council to develop energy profiles for residential buildings in Newcastle. These will help to evaluate future investment options in retro-fit programmes and support the development of decentralised energy projects through developing heat demand maps. However, they will also ensure that 24hr and seasonal variations in energy demands, at building level, can be factored into future investment options, understanding peak loads is critical in developing energy projects. It will also enable us to refine the assumptions in the above calculations, for example in the scenario above only one figure for carbon savings per home is attributable for measures such as cavity or loft insulation, however, in practice we know this will vary greatly depending on the property. This level of accounting will refine our calculations and

strengthen our overall carbon reduction programme. It will also help develop a range of community-based projects to support carbon reduction and behavioural change. The flow chart helps explain some of the complexities in developing the database.

Most of the maps shown below have been produced as a result of efforts under this work stream. Accurately mapping emissions and being able to analyse this based on geographic factors is vital when targeting funding streams which are chasing carbon savings. It also helps target efforts for delivery partners in generating suitable properties for different types of potential interventions.

Some of the more specific research that has been undertaken includes capturing and analysing aerial thermal photography and utilising aerial laser height data. On Tuesday 2nd & Wednesday 3rd March 2010, between 7pm to 11pm (normal mid-week evenings when people are heating their homes), the outside temperature was below 4oC, there was no moisture on the ground and there was zero cloud cover. A plane equipped with a thermal imagining camera flew over Newcastle and took thermal photographs of the entire city. This image has then been colour coded and the outline of buildings laid over the data. This provides a heat loss profile for every building in the city. All domestic properties have been given a heat loss parameter of between 1-5. This data has then been provided to Newcastle WarmZone to target those properties that have been identified as having a high heat loss through their roof. In due course we will aim to make this data available to residents of Newcastle through some method of secure web access, hopefully being able to provide a property profile, including estimated energy consumption and bills, potential measures and recommended providers, the heat loss profile will be only one of these attributes. We do not plan on publishing the entire dataset for all to see as this could lead to complications in delivery programmes.

The dataset also has potential to identify heat loss from commercial, industrial and public sector buildings. At this point we may publish all of this data or be able to provide a service to key partners and organisations in the city to help identify potential insulation projects in the non-domestic sector.

The City Council has also commissioned LiDAR data at 0.5m intervals; this is where an aerial height reading is taken using a laser and then we can calculate the orientation and pitch of roofs across Newcastle. This level of data has many potential uses, but at this stage we plan to use it to identify those buildings that have south facing roofs and have the space for solar PV panels to be fitted. We can then distinguish social housing stock which is managed by Your Homes Newcastle (our arms-length management organisation), from properties within the private sector and registered social landlords, enabling us to target interventions.

A similar method will be used to develop our programme of solar thermal panels. The sample image helps identify which buildings have south facing roofs and we can also identify by how much roofs vary from the ideal angle for PV, of due south, with a pitch of 35-45 degrees. We know the loss in potential solar yield as pitch and orientation varies from the ideal and therefore will be able to calculate the potential yield for any roof space in Newcastle. This is a service that we could provide to domestic households and to potential commercial, industrial and public sector partners. We will explore options around how best to provide this data to partners and wider stakeholders.

We have also been working on methods to help identify the age and Historic to Late WWI to Post war Sixties/ type of domestic buildings. Although end Early & Mid Victorian/ WWII regen Seventies Recent the City Council holds databases at Georgian - Victorian Edwardian 1914- 1945- 1964- Years 1979- Age 1837 1837-1870 1870-1914 1945 1964 1979 photo date individual property level (gazetteer) and has property and building shape Type 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 files (OS Mastermap), there is limited Very tall flats (point blocks) 1 30 1 building-level data about the physical Tall flats 6-15 storey 2 28 45 attributes of each property. For the Medium height flats 5-6 purposes of Council tax, only a storey 3 4 76 144 29 valuation is required. Being able to Lower3-4 storey and clearly identify the age and type of smaller flats; detached domestic buildings will help us and linked 4 6550 2350 1639 2294 671 understand the potential of properties Tall terraces 3-4 storey 5 173 185 13 151 7 2 that may or may not have cavity walls Low terraces, 2 storeys for example, or would require more with large T-rear expensive solid wall insulations. It is extensions 6 17 3934 1 also important to understand which Low terraces, small 7 144 5889 1875 4435 5495 616 types of property are within Linked & step linked conservation areas as it is unlikely houses, 2-3 or mixed 2 that they will be able to be externally and 3 storeys 8 393 875 468 rendered. We have purchased Cities Planned balanced Revealed Building Class which is mixed estates 9 231 789 1378 suggesting the following housing standard sized semis 10 4 653 16387 8905 6208 631 stock profile for Newcastle upon semi type houses in Tyne. Further work is ongoing to multiples of 4,6,8,etc 11 98 6522 1577 645 169 refine this dataset, at this stage it Large property semis 12 23 440 438 112 4 smaller detached does help provide a detailed houses 13 16 273 970 624 2457 2758 understanding of our retrofit Large detached houses 14 1 5 158 46 143 73 105 challenges. Unlike the scenario Very large detached above, this will allow us to plan longer houses, sometimes term and understand the maximum now flats 15 2 43 5 7 2 9 potential of numerous measures. The numbers in the table refer to buildings, further work is required to quantify the number of properties within these buildings and are therefore presented as guide only.

6.1. Energy Maps

As part of the work under the Newcastle Carbon Routemap project we have begun to analyse energy consumption across Newcastle at different spatial levels. This has enabled us to develop a series of maps that present the energy consumption across different sectors of Newcastle. The map on the following page presents the average domestic gas consumption per meter at Low Layer Super Output Area in 2008. This holds important information that demonstrates how much gas homes in different parts of the city are consuming. As would be expected, the less affluent areas of Newcastle have a much lower consumption than some of the more affluent areas. It highlights the areas towards the edge of the town moor as having high gas consumption per household, along with other areas near Jesmond Dene & St Gabriels. Generally, homes in these parts of the city are consuming 5 times as much gas as those in less affluent areas. This is an important consideration when looking to bring down gas consumption from the whole city. Many funding regimes are weighted towards priority groups such as those homes and residents that could be in, or near, fuel poverty or are in receipt of benefits. Whilst this is the correct approach, one measure of insulation for a property in the affluent areas of Newcastle could save as much carbon as five measures in less affluent areas. Targeting homes and residents in certain areas of Newcastle will have a greater impact on carbon emissions than others.

There is a further series of maps located in Appendix A that outline different consumption patterns including: - Average Domestic Electricity consumption per meter. It does not distinguish between electricity used for space heating (Economy 7) and other purposes. It does however identify certain areas of the city where electricity consumption per household is high. Further work will be undertaken to specifically draw out Economy7 electricity consumption due to electrical heating being particularly carbon intensive. - Total Non-Domestic Gas Consumption at Middle Layer Super Output Area The map shows high gas consumption in the City Centre, but also draws out some of the industrial sites in the City and other high gas consuming areas, in particular, industry in Newburn, Fawdon and Byker stand out as does the Dene area, which could be attributable to the Freeman Hospital. Further work will be undertaken to refine this as it will help target mitigation efforts to support high carbon commercial and industrial activity in Newcastle. - Total Non-Domestic Electricity Consumption at Middle Layer Super Output Area This map simply reflects the high electricity use of the City Centre - Domestic Heat Density at Lower Layer Super Output Area This map highlights the spatial heat demand from domestic housing. If looking to develop heat networks that could provide hot water to heat homes through a heat network, then these areas would be priorities, this is mainly due to the cost of putting heat pipes in the ground, and therefore where heat density is high the economics of providing this sort of system are higher.

6.2. Community Energy Schemes and Decentralised Energy Networks

The City Council is beginning a programme to develop new types of energy infrastructure for example where centralised gas or biomass fired Combine Heat and Power units would generate electricity for use locally and excess exported to the grid, at the same time large amounts of hot water are generated that can be shared to different sites for space heating. This type of activity is generally referred to as community energy schemes or decentralised energy or heat networks. In certain circumstances they can also be used for tri-generation where heating, cooling and electricity are generated locally. This type of project is often delivered through Energy Services Companies (ESCos). Newcastle has commissioned technical feasibility work around these and is in the process of developing methods of delivery through working with partners. In future iterations of the City’s climate change programme, this type of project is likely to feature strongly.

As a rough guide, heat demand density should be above 3000 kWh/km2 for these types of schemes to be economically viable, this map presents the total heat density demand from domestic and commercial consumption and therefore outlines the broad areas of the city where heat networks would be more cost effective.

Our plans for the future: THEME / CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD TARGET PROGRAMME DIVISION DATE / PARTNER Development of To support energy planning, hypothetical energy and heat demand profiles will be developed that take Environment & Septemb building level energy account of different variables such as housing age and type. We will work to understand the Regeneration er 2010 profiles (24hr, implications of behavioural change. Directorate and seasonal) We will work with Government to learn from their efforts around the National Household Model. Chief Executives Directorate Development of We will develop a web resource to allow residents and businesses to gain access to the information Environment & Ongoing website resource to we have been developing, for individual domestic homes it could possibly include: Regeneration disseminate datasets - Profile for Roof heat loss Directorate and - Building classification Chief - Anticipated energy bills Executives - Consumption profile Directorate - Appropriateness of roof space for PV or solar thermal We will develop this in a secure, sensitive manner and will constantly expand the range of information available, including signposting to deliver projects. Expansion of Carbon We will develop a template to collate energy data from non-domestic partners in order to expand the Environment & Ongoing Routemap data base scope of energy monitoring within the project and will activity encourage its use across all partners and Regeneration to non-domestic commercial and industrial activity. Directorate and sector buildings Chief Executives Directorate Development of To be designed as per the technologies identified in the SEAP and others. Including a module that will Environment & Ongoing interface to work with be able to calculate heat demand from different properties across any defined geographical area. Regeneration data for various Directorate and queries / technologies Chief Executives Directorate Newcastle University & NaREC

Develop further Work with partners to explore the potential of new and developing technologies such as biomass, Environment & Ongoing partnerships to wind, tidal, anaerobic digestion and heat pumps. Regeneration explore new Directorate and technologies Chief Executives Directorate Newcastle University, NaREC, Northumbria University, Energy Savings Trust & others Development of Based on the Housing type and age classifications above, we will aim to develop models to help Environment & Ongoing whole house retrofit inform the carbon and cost benefits of different packages of technologies across the housing stock Regeneration assumptions which will help inform financial models and aid delivery Directorate and modelling Chief Executives Directorate Newcastle University, NaREC, Energy Savings Trust & others

7. Awareness, Communications & Behavioural Change

What we’ve achieved so far:

This work stream is now formally embedded as part of the City Council’s declaration on climate change. The work stream seeks to bring about broader awareness of Climate Change across the City and with it the necessary behavioural changes in response to the associated challenges.

This approach is intended to give our residents, partners and those who produce emissions in our area, the opportunity to improve their knowledge around the causes and impact of climate change and encourage them to take positive action to reduce carbon emissions and help create local sustainable communities. In addition there is also a hard target of achieving a 10% reduction in domestic gas and electricity consumption as a consequence of positive behavioural change. Progress made to date, together with intended future actions is highlighted below. There are links between this work stream and the initiatives under the Transport work stream on Page 63 where awareness campaigns such as Smarter Choices and Be Air Aware are outlined.

1. OurNewcastle is a citywide campaign that started in March 2007, to raise awareness of how residents can improve their local environment and reduce their global environmental impact. Issues communicated so far include: • Reduce, Reuse and Recycle; especially focused on the new recycling service, Zero Waste, composting and waste minimisation; • reducing environmental crime and • reducing energy consumption to both save money and reduce carbon. Future phases of OurNewcastle will have a particular emphasis on raising awareness of climate change with a view to changing personal behaviours and will be developed around the findings of the Residents Survey set out below.

2. Enviro Schools programme assists schools to achieve environmental excellence. This gives children and young people the opportunity to understand the environment better, allows them to act more responsibly, positively influence others and make their local environment a better place to live and learn. The Enviro Schools programme works with a wide range of partners to deliver activities and events to schools and the wider community. The Enviro Schools programme takes schools along a five step pathway - through progressive levels of local awards to the internationally recognised Eco Schools ‘Green Flag’ Award. In spring 2010, 118 out of 122 schools in the City of Newcastle were registered to the programme with 15 schools reaching 'Green Flag' status and 2 awaiting assessment. It is aimed to have all schools working through the programme by 2011.

3. Electricity Monitors scheme We have recently launched a new loans scheme at the City Libraries for electricity monitors. These are available on a free 4 week loan.

4. Campaign Working with Warmzone This campaign promotes the benefits of insulation and the Warmzone service. Warmzone have worked under the banner of OurNewcastle in raising the profile of energy reduction and the positive impact of this on CO2 emissions. This joint working has seen a variety of initiatives and has been successful in engaging with communities across the City. Distribution of free low energy light bulbs and home thermometers have also been useful in helping residents make some of the minor adjustments needed to lifestyle to bring about a positive change.

5. Reductions to Landfill The Council’s Strategy and Campaign around increasing recycling and with it reducing waste to landfill has been effective. Overall recycling rates are now in excess of 40% which significantly reduces landfill and methane emissions. This has been achieved by the role-out of better front end recycling services but also by the high profile OurNewcastle recycling and waste minimisation campaign. This has included television advertising, a number of road shows, direct working with local communities and joint working with the local media around the Go Green campaign.

6. City Life The Council uses its free publication as a further means of communicating appropriate messages around climate change and the impact of personal behaviour changes. Included in the publication have been examples of “quick wins” that residents can adopt to bring about a reduction in their own impact on climate change.

7. Climate Change Partnership The Climate Change Partnership has been used as a method to further communicate the impact of climate change. This forum comprises representatives from a range of organisations across the City and is now a formal element of the LSP Partnership. Members of the Partnership work together in seeking to identify best practice around awareness/behavioural change and then seek the implement this within the day-to-day activities of their organisation. The Eco-Neighbourhoods Programme is developing a range of research projects with the University of Northumbria and Newcastle University to support the development of low carbon communities.

8. Events The Council has organised a number of events to raise the profile of climate change. At these, residents and visitors have been asked to sign pledges around personal future behaviours and in return have received a small gift. In addition, the Council has also supported a wide range of events organised by other local and national organisations around climate change.

9. Support of National and International Events The Council has worked at a local level to maximise the impact of national and international climate change events. Examples of this include the annual world environment day, no power hour and in town without my car day. This support has seen a variety of activities taking place together with the necessary high profile media coverage needed.

10. Energy Saving Trust (EST) The EST advice centre undertook their Hotspot insulation mailing within Newcastle City Council area in November 2009. This home energy check mailing was sent to over 6,500 residents. The EST advice centre has also worked closely with City Life magazine supplying articles, features and home energy advice information. Working in partnership with Climate NE and the Association of North East Councils, the Energy Saving Trust launched the North East Green Barometer on 21st July 2010. Over 120 Newcastle residents were surveyed for this report and over 1,400 across the region as a whole delivering a rich data set with information by local authority area on resident’s opinions and actions around climate change and being environmentally friendly. The report covered areas such as home insulation measures taken, views on the 29

activity being taken by local authorities and local industry in tackling carbon emissions in their own operations and preferences for local authority consultation. A toolkit has since been supplied to all local authority communications officers to allow them to use the findings of the Green Barometer to help drive communication strategy both within internal facing council communications and those to householders. The findings of this work will be linked to the Residents Survey set out below and used to inform future communications.

Our plans for the future:

THEME / CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD TARGET PROGRAMME DIVISION DATE / PARTNER Residents A Newcastle residents’ questionnaire will be undertaken during 2010 to ascertain current knowledge of Neighbourhood October Survey sustainability and climate change issues. This will be used to inform the communications strategy and enable Services 2010 gaps to be identified and addressed. This will also be supported by relevant information from the Energy Division Savings Trusts’ Green Barometer survey.

Our Newcastle This will continue to be the overarching element of the Council’s approach to raising awareness of how Neighbourhood To occur residents can improve their local environment and reduce their personal global environmental impact. Services annually Division of This approach will again highlight practical individual benefits available from changed personal behaviour i.e. Environment & financial savings, increased disposable income, personal contribution in combating climate change and Regeneration improved health/fitness achieved by reducing car usage and increasing walking/cycling. Directorate

OurNewcastle will also continue to encourage residents to insulate, turn down and switch off. This will be structured in a formal annual action plan which will be produced and delivered via the Climate Change Partnership.

Enviro This initiative will continue with the following objectives: Neighbourhood 31 March Schools • Continue to develop enviro-schools initiatives to reach every potential school. Services 2011 Programme • Undertake more detailed work with 40 schools to help schools and young people act as catalysts for Division of behavioural change in their local community Environment & • Continue work with an external specialist agency with considerable experience in delivering the climate Regeneration change message in schools. Directorate & ClimateNE Go Green Continue to work with the local press and other local authorities and private sector organisations in Neighbourhood Annual communicating with residents on the consequences of climate change and the associated need for behavioural Services Initiative change. This culminates in the annual Go Green Awards Ceremony which has significant exposure in the local Division of media. We will continue to use this to reinforce the message around both the personal and environmental Environment & benefits of revised behaviours in response to climate change. Regeneration Directorate City Life Continue to publicise the Councils ambitions around climate change via this publication. We will work with Chief Ongoing Publication partners to develop innovation on how to best maximize engagement i.e. competitions, readers ideas etc. Executives Directorate

THEME / CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD TARGET PROGRAMME DIVISION DATE / PARTNER Climate It is intended to use the Newcastle Declaration on Climate Change and our Action Plan to further develop and Chief Ongoing Change obtain greater buy-in from Partners across the City. In securing this we will use the formal Partnership to Executives Partnership cascade appropriate messages across their organisations and contact groups. Directorate

Links with Continue to work with Warm Zone on joint campaigns and further frontline property improvements. Again this Neighbourhood March Warm Zone will involve both partners highlighting the need and benefit of insulation, “turning down and switching off”. Services 2011 Division of Environment & Regeneration Directorate & Warmzone Events Act as a catalyst in initiating and supporting climate change events. These will be designed to further raise Neighbourhood Annual awareness and highlight the positive impacts of personal behavioural change. It is intended to have an annual Services programme of events produced and signed off for delivery by the Climate Change Partnership. Division of Environment & Regeneration Directorate and Chief Executives Directorate Household Continue with its waste minimisation and recycling initiatives to further reduce the amount of waste going to Neighbourhood March waste and landfill and with it the amount of methane emissions into the atmosphere. This approach will include ongoing Services 2011 recycling work with local communities being undertaken by the Environment Engagement Team. In addition further Division of improvement to recycling services will be provided to medium and high-rise accommodation across the City. Environment & Regeneration Directorate NCVS & We will work with Newcastle Community & Voluntary Services (NCVS) to support voluntary and community Environment & Ongoing Community groups to address climate change. We will help develop a programme to translate this strategy into specific, Regeneration Groups meaningful messages for the sector, helping the organisations and the premises from where they operate, but Directorate and also their members to live low carbon lifestyles. Chief Executives Directorate Transition We will also work with wider community groups such as Transition Towns to help them on the low carbon Transition Ongoing Towns journey and to help understand the implications of peak oil for Newcastle upon Tyne. Towns

THEME / CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD TARGET PROGRAMME DIVISION DATE / PARTNER 10:10 Schools We will work with schools and Groundwork South Tyneside & Newcastle (STAN) and develop a package to Neighbourhood 2011 Programme raise awareness in families, through school networks Services & Groundwork STAN

8. Adaptation – Policy, Research & Innovation Whilst mitigation forms a major part of the climate change strategy, we also need to further our understanding of the way climate change is likely to impact on Newcastle to enable us to plan accordingly. Even if all emissions stopped today, the climate would continue to change as a result of past activities. These impacts of climate change will be cross-cutting, affecting residents in ways different to the emergency responses traditionally associated with weather events. Instead, they will touch much more upon day-to-day areas, such as health, the economy, and transport.

Understanding how these changes will impact on the city is crucial. It will help the public and private sector, as well as residents understanding, and planning for the impacts of a changing climate and thus minimising disruption. It is important we realise the opportunities associated with it. Uncertainty or imperfect information on the changing climate can mean businesses and residents are unable to assess the costs and benefits associated with investing in adaptation, creating a significant barrier.

We also face the challenge of making sure that those on low incomes are not disproportionately affected in relation to the cost of adaptation. Forcing the most disadvantaged people to pay even more to ensure their security will only serve to compound existing problems, and prejudice achievement of the wider aims set out in the Sustainable Community Strategy.

Greater understanding of the climate will help minimise this cost. The Stern review in 2006 suggested that despite the limited economic knowledge on adaptation, benefits are likely to outweigh the costs, as shown in the diagram below: Cost of climate change without adaptation

Note: For the purposes of simplicity, the diagram presented on the right portrays a linear relationship between climate change cost and global mean Cost of adaptation + residual climate change damage temperature. In reality, costs are likely to accelerate with increasing Costs of climate Net benefit of temperature, whilst the net benefit of change adaptation adaptation is likely to fall relative to Residual climate change Gross benefit the cost of climate change damage of adaptation Total cost of climate change, after adaptation

Global Mean Temperature 34

Whether it is building bridges or refurbishing our housing stock, a more detailed understanding of our likely climate will help us prepare for the challenges that lie ahead in providing facilities and services in a different environment. Much work on this evidence base has already been started at a national level. The UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) have produced a set of emissions scenarios, modelling low, medium and high emissions at 25km grid squares. These predict temperature, precipitation, air pressure, cloud and humidity, for 30 year periods up to the 2080s. They have also produced a set of marine and coastal projections which cover sea level rise, storm surge, sea surface and sub-surface temperature, salinity, currents, and waves, as well as some broad impacts of climate variations by region.

However, this work is not detailed enough on its own to enable decision-making on a service-by-service basis, so there is work to do on transposing this into useful information for partners.

What we’ve achieved so far:

The recent review and refresh of the Sustainable Community Strategy (completed in March 2010), placed much more significant emphasis on adaptation, setting out the role of the Newcastle Partnership’s adaptation and mitigation response programme. In addition, it identified the need to develop a robust evidence base on climate change impacts, socio-economic effects and the costs and benefits of adaptation options. To this end, we have begun the formation of an adaptation sub-group of the Newcastle Partnership, led by the PCT, and involving Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue to focus on adaptation work although we anticipate a much wider range of partners will be engaged over time.

A number of our plans and strategies have already started considering these issues. The resilience planning service has begun the process of producing a series of response plans for severe weather events, whilst further supporting work is set out in some of the work streams below.

Resources have been identified to produce a Local Climate Impacts Profile and begin the process of using the knowledge developed through the North East adaptation study to identify historical impacts of weather events on services.

Where issues are cross-border, work has taken place at a regional level. The association of North East Councils (ANEC) and ONE North East (the Regional Development Agency) commissioned a Regional Flood Risk Appraisal which will provide a strategic view of flood risk and impact of climate change within the region and Newcastle’s relation with surrounding Tyne and Wear authorities. The council has also partnered with ANEC to prepare advice for developers on sustainable drainage systems. We are also working with Northumbria Local Resilience Forum to embed climate change adaptation work into the regional agenda.

This work has resulted in a ‘Level 1’ out of a possible 5 in our recent self-assessment of adaptation to Climate Change (NI188). This is the indicator used by Local Government to test local authorities’ progress in relation to adaptation.

Our plans for the future:

We now intend to build on much of the work that has been started to progress the agenda. In doing so, we aim to help develop a more holistic understanding of climatic impacts within Newcastle and the region. Doing so will have two major benefits. First, it will enable a prioritised, risk-based approach to weather events and climatic patterns. Second, it will also enable organisations within the partnership to begin to consider the impacts of a changing climate for the services that they provide, such as in social care, culture and libraries, and other services traditionally seen as outside the remit of environmental issues. Conducting this process will also help us hit our planned targets for central government’s indicator on adaptation to climate change: Indicator 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 NI188: Adapting to Climate Change Level 2 Level 3 Level 4

By the end of 2012, we aim to have a comprehensive action plan, with prioritised actions, which we will implement, monitor and continuously review. The actions below are designed to move us toward that target:

THEME / CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD DIVISION TARGET PROGRAMME / PARTNER DATE Partnership Co-ordinate an adaptation sub-group of the Newcastle Partnership PCT & City Ongoing cooperation Council Internal Risk Establish an internal group to co-ordinate the Council’s own adaptation programme – This will seek to City Council Chief May Based approach identify gaps in knowledge and find efficiencies and overlaps in providing information Executives 2011 Develop and implement a risk assessment of key services Directorate

Evidence Base Continue production of a local climate impacts profile (LCLIP). The LCLIP will highlight service impacts City Council Chief May from weather events, and issues important to residents Executives 2011 Directorate Skills Train officers in the use of the UK Climate Impact Profiles - will begin to help officers understand the City Council Chief May Development particular issues Executives 2011 Directorate Produce a roadmap for enabling the council to have a solid understanding of likely climatic impacts, and City Council Chief October enabling the authority to plan to adapt accordingly. Executives 2010 Directorate Evaluate emerging tools and research on Climate Change adaptation for use in a Local Authority context City Council Chief Ongoing to facilitate more effective use of resources; Executives Directorate

THEME / CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD DIVISION TARGET PROGRAMME / PARTNER DATE Produce resources on adaptation to help the authority become familiar with the issue and to begin to City Council Chief Ongoing consider its impacts on day to day service provision Executives Directorate Raise overall awareness of the adaptation agenda Ensure that adaptation is considered as an issue in service planning within Newcastle City Council City Council Chief October Executives 2010 Directorate

Investigate Consider protecting and enhancing natural heat sinks including green areas (through Green City Council Ongoing potential Infrastructure Strategy) Environment & implications of the Develop design guidance to: Regeneration ‘heat island effect’ - Promote soft landscaping and trees Directorate - Promote appropriate overshadowing and shelter - Promote use of green roofs This will also improve comfort and reduce the need for artificial cooling

9. Highways Infrastructure

What we’ve achieved so far:

The highway infrastructure assets are managed and maintained in accordance with the City Council’s Highways Asset Management Plan (HAMP). The HAMP is a strategic document that is regularly reviewed and updated to take account of national standards, guidelines and codes of practice that will include future changes due to climate change.

The HAMP is currently being developed into a Transport Asset Management Plan (TAMP). The current asset management processes and life cycle plans will be reviewed and updated to take account of climate change. The TAMP will also take account of the transportation elements in the City Centre Action Plan for Newcastle and the Core Strategy for Newcastle and Gateshead, together with the network management plan for the expeditious movement of vehicles and pedestrians. It aims to include a risk-based approach to identify the adaptation and mitigation measures required to minimise future disruption and costs caused by climate change and reduce CO2 emissions.

There are a number of measures already taken or planned for the future in response to climate change including: • considering the effects of climate change in the design of new or improved highway assets • increasing the maintenance works undertaken on culverts and structures crossing rivers to ensure watercourses are kept clear and to minimise the risk of blockage. • introducing more energy efficient assets and making better use of sustainable energy resources under the Street Lighting PFI e.g. installing an LED Street Lighting scheme as a trial on a footpath to monitor energy consumption and maintenance requirements compared to a conventional scheme. • removing unnecessary and obsolete assets and where replacements are needed, more sustainable options are being considered e.g. use of solar powered illumination for signs. • trialling ‘Remote Monitoring’ of street lighting that can ensure correct operation, report any defects and in addition to this, can be used to turn lights on and off or control dimming equipment if fitted. • installing new traffic signals installations, junctions, and pedestrian facilities with the Extra Low Voltage generation, cutting power requirements by around 65%. • adopting a sophisticated ice prediction system for winter maintenance gritting that will give more accurate / real time weather information. • developing a route-based in-cab driving aid that will enable drivers to follow predescribed gritting routes. • investing in street tree planting with a beneficial effect on air filtration and air quality. • developing sustainable public transport systems e.g. ‘Major bus corridors’ using lower emission vehicles improving air quality. • developing ‘sustainable modes of travel to schools’ promoting walking, cycling and the use of public transport.

Our plans for the future:

THEME / CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD TARGET PROGRAMME DIVISION DATE / PARTNER All Highway Assets Adequacy of Designing to current national and local design standards and guidance an seeking to exceed these Technical Ongoing national and local where possible Services design standards (Considering ‘decluttering’ of existing signs and street furniture as part of design process i.e. removal of and guidance unnecessary assets, and in particular the use and types of illuminated signs – see street lighting) Reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with installation and maintenance operations Desktop study to: • Review current standards • Interpret climate change data • Carry out Gap analysis between existing/projected climate change data • Consider the impact of revised standards including cost implications • Investigate other research, proposed changes to national standards & work of key partners • Revise local design standards Ground conditions - Designing to current national and local standards Technical Ongoing Susceptibility of Producing designs that are fit for purpose and are future proofed to take account of effects of climate Services soils to movement change as a result of climate Desktop study to: change Review current ground condition information - areas of clay, mine workings, contaminated land, areas at risk of flooding Collate, review and monitor evidence of previous problems Commission geotechnical report on soils in Newcastle and susceptibility to movement (coordinate report with property asset action plan) Cross Cutting issues Review existing Asset Management processes and life cycle plans as part of the TAMP to include: Technical Ongoing climate change issues as part of reviews, business decisions etc. Services Revise maintenance regimes as required Collect inventory information to identify potential problem areas Identification and removal of obsolete/unnecessary assets eg. Illuminated signs Develop a carbon management approach for highway services

THEME / CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD TARGET PROGRAMME DIVISION DATE / PARTNER For existing Bridges Carry out a review of:- Technical Ongoing and other Highway • Expansion joints, Scour/damage to culverts, Drainage/capacity of culverts also affected by Services Structures blockages (trees etc). ; • Design guidance for effects of climate change. (European standards for materials should already take some account of the requirements for warmer European countries) and; • Suitability of materials • Increased maintenance costs • Assessing and maintaining to current national and local standards and maintenance regimes set out in the HAMP. • Updating the HAMP to incorporate the Council’s Climate Change Strategy and developing a Transport Asset Management Plan (TAMP) that includes the requirements of the Traffic Management Act to secure the expeditious movement of traffic as set out in the Council’s Highway Network Management Plan • Existing assets are future proofed to take account of effects of climate change

For existing roads, Investigate the implications of: Technical August 2010 pavements and • Softening and cracking of tarmac surfaces (European standards for materials should already Services cycleways: take some account of the requirements for warmer European countries) • Movement of concrete flags, block paving creating trip hazards • Reduced skidding resistance on roads due to build up of road detritus in dry spells and reduced gritting in winter • Suitability of materials • Increased maintenance costs

For existing Signs, Investigate issues of: Technical Ongoing Safety Fencing and • Accelerated fading of signs due to longer exposure to sunlight Services Street Furniture • Reduced corrosion due to less winter gritting • Suitability of materials • Decluttering and in particular the removal of unnecessary illuminated signs • Increased maintenance costs • Review existing assets against new standards to define the extent of investment required & priorities

THEME / CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD TARGET PROGRAMME DIVISION DATE / PARTNER Traffic Signals Install Traffic Installation of ELV Traffic Signals equipment throughout the North East Technical Complete to be Signals and Services monitored equipment that is highly energy efficient Ensure that traffic During twilight hours illumination level controlled using light sensitive switches which operate from dusk Technical Complete to be signals and other till dawn. By reducing the brightness of the signals during these hours further improves energy Services monitored equipment are efficiency operating at reduced voltage Install renewable We are carrying out pilot schemes based around the use of solar powered units The solar units will Technical May 2011 energy sources with supplement or replace mains operated equipment which consumes electrical energy. Continue to Services street equipment review any energy saving products that could be of benefit to traffic signals Reduction of carbon Mobile working project will allow for more efficient use of resources Technical Dec 2010 generated from Less emission per mile and a reduction in the number of miles travelled leading to a reduction in fuel Services vehicle emissions use and carbon generation Implementation of mobile working solution after tender resolution. Electric Vehicle Infrastructure / Plugged in Places HTS is carrying out the installation of the EVCP’s across the city. Technical March 2011 Charging Points Further the roll out of EVCPs after clarification of HTS status as installer Services (EVCP) Street Lighting Keeping the lighting Lighting is designed based on the British Standards BS5489. The BS details various lighting levels Technical Ongoing. to the minimum based on the safe use of roads and pavements for drivers and pedestrians. The Street Lighting PFI Services necessary for safety Contract is addressing this issue with the replacement of 80% of the lights in the Authority. Ensure that lights The street lighting is controlled using light sensitive switches which only operate from Dusk till dawn. Technical Ongoing. and other equipment The control of the lights reduces any unnecessary electrical consumption. Local Authorities have been Services are turned off when considering reducing the operating times of street lights, such as turning them off at midnight. As part of not in use the normal maintenance regimes any defective light sensitive devices are replaced. Installing lighting The new lighting under the PFI is energy efficient and also reduces light pollution in to the night sky. We Technical November 2010. and equipment that have been using LED sign lanterns as part of the PFI. Services is highly energy We have installed a number of LED Street Lights on a footpath in Kenton as a trial. We are monitoring efficient the Clinton Forum which is proposing to replace a substantial number of existing street lights to LED units. We are monitoring the LED Street Lighting trial to verify the performance of the equipment.

THEME / CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD TARGET PROGRAMME DIVISION DATE / PARTNER Installing renewable We are carrying out some pilot schemes based around the use of solar powered traffic bollards. Technical Ongoing. The energy sources with Solar and reflective bollards are now being used on any new Highway schemes instead of the Services solar units are to street equipment conventional electrically powered base lit bollards. To continue to review any energy saving products be checked in that could be of benefit to street lighting December 2010 to verify their light output.

10. Council Buildings & Assets What we’ve achieved so far:

Many carbon saving projects have been delivered in our buildings with investment of over £400,000 committed. Carbon saving technologies fitted include automatic lighting controls, heating controls, voltage optimisation and automatic meter readers. Buildings which have benefited from such technologies include the Civic Centre, Atkinson House, Allendale Road, Springfield, Newington Road, schools (Building Schools for the Future) and many others. The carbon saving projects committed are estimated to save over 2,700 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year from the Council’s, and the City’s, greenhouse gas emissions. As a signatory of the 10:10 initiative, we will aim to go further, faster.

In addition to the investment in capital carbon saving projects, a staff awareness campaign has been running. This campaign includes the use of awareness raising methods such as posters, staff payslips, training sessions and online information. The aim of awareness raising is to engage with staff and allow them to take personal responsibility for the energy they use at work and to encourage them to save energy at home.

Another practical step we are taking is the identification of energy champions. This is a recognised way of effectively raising awareness and stimulating activity within a local authority to save energy and associated carbon emissions. A divisional champion brings an understanding of their service and is in a position to advise and support the best ways to achieve a reduction in energy consumption. The identification of energy champions has already taken place across Neighbourhood Services and the roll out of energy champions across Environment & Regeneration is currently taking place.

Future main areas of focus for this work stream include the role out of energy efficient lighting, building insulation, biomass boilers and staff awareness. The Council has also secured the Carbon Trust Standard, recognising our approach to carbon management. The award of the standard confirms our approach to carbon saving and delivers a benefit under the Carbon Reduction Commitment legislation.

Our plans for the future:

THEME / CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD DIVISION TARGET PROGRAMME / PARTNER DATE Reducing our own carbon emissions from our buildings and services Increase the energy Deliver an annual rolling programme of carbon saving projects across all suitable Energy Section, Annual and carbon efficiency buildings to include lighting upgrades, heating improvements, voltage optimisation, pool Neighbourhood Services programme of existing facilities. covers, monitoring & targeting, building management systems and fabric improvements. until 2020 Survey & Programme of energy surveys to be completed and energy ratings to be embedded Energy Section, 2012 benchmarking within asset management planning processes. Neighbourhood Services

Maintenance and Develop equipment maintenance and management procedures to consider energy City Design / Energy 2011 management efficiencies. Section, Neighbourhood procedures Revise the current maintenance procedures to include energy efficiency checks and Services improvements Automatic meter Procure and deliver a gas AMR solution in a further 200 buildings. Corporate Procurement / 2010 reading (AMR) Energy Section, technology Neighbourhood Services Corporate Heating Replace the ten most poorly performing heating systems in schools City Design / Children 2015 System Replacement Services / Energy Programme Section, Neighbourhood Services Building portfolio Review of further opportunities for carbon savings from building portfolio rationalisations Corporate Asset 0ngoing rationalisation Management

Renewable and lower An increase in the identification and delivery of renewable energy. This is likely to focus City Design / Energy Rolling carbon energy projects on delivery of photovoltaic, biomass, solar thermal and Combined heat and power Section, Neighbourhood annual systems. Services programme to 2019 New buildings and The construction of new buildings should be designed and delivered so as to minimise City Design / Energy 2016-2019 Services energy consumption and should aim for carbon neutrality Section, Neighbourhood Services Minimise the energy Conduct a switch off campaign, IT Services / Energy 2020 consumption of ICT Install a power management software platform Section, Neighbourhood Where possible, virtualise servers to reduce consumption Services Continue to review in partnership with IT providers - standards and suitability of new technology options e.g. server platforms and cooling solutions

THEME / CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD DIVISION TARGET PROGRAMME / PARTNER DATE Consideration of the Assess the value of carbon as part of the forthcoming Carbon Reduction Commitment CRC working group / 2011 value of carbon and Embed the value of carbon into procurement and investment decisions Energy Section, carbon trading Neighbourhood Services.

Building operating Review operating policies and procedures, including heating, cooling, open hours, Facilities Management / 2011 polices vending machines, water coolers and use of individual electrical appliances to reduce Energy Section energy consumption and deliver carbon savings.

Low Carbon Support the development of exemplar low carbon and renewable projects within the Community Engagement 2011 Community Hubs & emerging community hubs Team / Energy Section Support to Community & Voluntary Sector Meet 20% of our electricity demands by low carbon energy sources Low carbon electricity Review of opportunities for self generation or power purchase agreements for c. Energy Section, 2020 procurement 11,000,000 KWh of low carbon sourced electricity. Neighbourhood Services.

Increase the numbers of Non Domestic Biomass Boilers BSF schools biomass Continue delivery of Biomass boilers to a range of phase 2 schools. BSF Team & Energy 2010 / boilers Section 2011

Biomass boiler rolling Review opportunities for both individual and communal biomass heating systems Aim for Energy Section, 2020 programme 1 Mwth of non-domestic biomass. Neighbourhood Services & energy master planner support Deliver low carbon energy solutions (CHP 15 MWe and wind 3 MWe) across the city including community based energy schemes by 2020. Photovoltaic Development of delivery models underway and assessment of partnership opportunities Neighbourhood Services 2012 technology for large scale installation of pv panels. Delivery of 1,000 domestic installations and delivery of non domestic systems in our buildings. Solar thermal Identification of possible sites underway. Development of delivery model awaiting Neighbourhood Services 2013 technology confirmation of renewable heating incentive funding in 2011 Delivery of domestic installations and delivery of non domestic systems in our buildings.

THEME / CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD DIVISION TARGET PROGRAMME / PARTNER DATE South Heaton Carbon Ward based focused delivery of carbon saving projects and awareness programmes, Neighbourhood Services, Current Challenge pilot delivery across domestic and non domestic buildings in the South Heaton ward. In council Newcastle Warm Zone, action plan project buildings this has included energy saving projects being developed at Chillingham Road YHN and local partners. until 2010. Primary School and Heaton Community Complex. Agreement of future action plans and resources required by steering group. Also assessment of most applicable interventions in other wards utilising ward charters Council Controlled Include growing biomass crops, solar or wind installations. The review of opportunities Neighbourhood Services 2011 Land Assets Energy and development of any suitable delivery projects for energy generation on council Supply Opportunities. owned/controlled land across the City, utilising applicable data from the Routemap project. Community / District Initial feasibility assessments undertaken across the City, considering potential heat Neighbourhood Services 2020 Energy Schemes loads and CHP opportunities, along with a review of applicable delivery models including / Energy master planning ESCos. Discussions regarding the development of a potential shared heating / cooling support system with Newcastle & Northumbria Universities currently ongoing. Technical review, development and delivery of community / district energy projects to deliver 15 MWe from CHP. Deliver a reduction in energy use from behavioural change by 2020 and contribute to the City’s overall behavioural change targets. Staff awareness and To achieve a 20% reduction in gas consumption and a 10% reduction in electricity via Energy Section, Annual training delivery of annual staff awareness and training campaign. To include induction training, Neighbourhood Services programme telephone advice, dedicated website, posters, training sessions, events and competitions. till 2020 Energy Champions To achieve a 20% reduction in gas and a 10% reduction in electricity consumption via Energy Section, 2010 roll out and expansion of energy champions and their responsibilities across the Council. Neighbourhood Services

11. Council Fleet & Travel

What we’ve achieved so far:

This work stream has focused on identifying methods to reduce carbon emissions associated with the Council’s overall fleet and travel incurred by its officers and Councillors. There are three main elements of the work stream – • The Green Fleet Strategy • Participation in the electric vehicles and associated infrastructure strategy • Internal staff and Member travel protocols Progress made to date in each of these areas together with intended future actions is described below:

1. Green Fleet Strategy

The Council operates a fleet of 800 vehicles which between them consume over 2.5 million litres of fuel each year. In recognising the financial, carbon and environmental implications of this, efforts are consistently made to acquire the most environmentally friendly and effective vehicles available. The Council is working with the Energy Saving Trust advice centre to undertake a Green Fleet review, producing a report with recommendations of potential financial savings.

In the recent past significant investment was made in LPG technology and this was considered a major success both in terms of financial investment and environmental considerations. These vehicles are however being gradually decommissioned as more efficient and environmentally friendly diesel comes online.

The Council has also formally established a vehicle replacement programme which in the first instance seeks to ensure we are securing the most fuel efficient, environmentally friendly and effective vehicles available.

Investment has also been made in fitting a large proportion of the fleet with tracking technology. This is increasingly being used to identify the potential of more effective routing both to increase service efficiency but also save fuel and reduce carbon emissions.

Newcastle is also seen as playing a key role regionally in demonstrating the potential of low carbon vehicles. Currently on fleet we have 20 electric vehicles ranging from a litter collection vehicle through to a mini bus designed to shuttle staff and visitors across the City.

2. Participation in Electric Vehicles and Associate Infrastructure Strategy

The Council has worked with external partners both in the private and public sector in raising the profile of electric vehicles. More importantly as part of the formal arrangement with One North-East we have been able to secure funding to put in place the first elements of an intended regional electric vehicle infrastructure. It is hoped that this joined up approach can act as part of a critical mass in demonstrating that electric vehicles are a feasible and realistic alternative to current conventional motor vehicles. Such an approach is considered essential to tackle some of the scepticism around this industry in respect of vehicle reliability, durability and above all else, range.

In supporting the role out of the electric vehicle infrastructure the Technical Services Division of the E&R Directorate will play a crucial role in both the installation of equipment as well as the provision of a maintenance service on a regional basis.

The Council’s approach to electric vehicles is now recognised as being one of the first on a European basis to advocate and support such a development.

Whilst a significant element of this work is part of regional and national initiatives, the Council is still very much maximising electric vehicles internally wherever possible. Recent evidence of this is the delivery of 2 electric Mitsubishi i-Mieve vehicles. These are high profile leading edge vehicles which are now being integrated into our pool car operation but will also be available as demonstrators for interested parties

3. Internal Staff and Member Travel Protocols

This element of the work stream seeks to reduce mileage undertaken by Council officers, reduce the level of taxi use in Council business and encourage alternatives to car use. The focus of this approach has been around the creation of the Council’s travel office which has delivered considerable success in bringing about a positive change in respect of the impact of officer and Councillor travel. This office was established to deal with internal travel arrangements more efficiently in an attempt to reduce expenditure and at the same time our carbon footprint. The travel office have put in place a range of measures with positive environmental consequences. Actions to date have had the following outcomes:

• Reduced officer miles claimed • 5% reduction in number of officers claiming mileage. This relates to 361 officers • A reduction in taxi spends of 34% (in 2008-09) • Over 470 staff now own a bike through the Bike to Work Scheme. This is a 56% increase on 2007-08 • Electric shuttle bus now in service along with electric cars. • Delivery of the Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme. This will deliver more modern, cleaner vehicles. • 571 staff have now accessed public transport passes

Our plans for the future:

THEME / CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD DIVISION TARGET PROGRAMME / PARTNER DATE Green Fleet The Council has recently appointed an Integrated Transport Manager. A key part of this new role will be a Neighbourhood August Strategy responsibility to further minimise the impact of our fleet in respect of CO2 emissions. This approach will Services Division of 2010 improve overall co-ordination and controls in this area. This will be achieved by ensuring a consistent Environment and approach to vehicle acquisition, utilization, routing and maintenance. Regeneration Directorate Information from vehicle manufacturers confirms that if the maximum speed of a vehicle is reduced then Neighbourhood 31 March there will be a reduction in fuel consumption and with it vehicle emissions. Testing of a Ford Transit vehicle Services Division of 2011 showed that fuel consumption reduced by over 16.5% when its maximum speed was limited to 60 mph. As Environment and a consequence of this research it is intended to limit the Council’s light commercial vehicle fleet where Regeneration possible to a maximum speed of 56 mph. A similar speed restriction is now in place for large goods Directorate vehicles. The Integrated Transport Manager will identify the potential of removing vehicles from fleet without Neighbourhood March impacting adversely on service delivery. Services Division of 2011 Environment and Regeneration Directorate The Council already has in place driver training programmes which traditionally relate to health and safety Neighbourhood March type issues. It is now intended to work with external partners in expanding this training to cover Services Division of 2011 environmental consequences of individual driving styles. Analysis of drivers having undertaken such Environment and training report reduced fuel consumption of up to 15%. Such a figure for a typical car user would save Regeneration approximately £250 per year in fuel costs and would deliver a carbon saving of more than half a ton per Directorate vehicle. As part of the Council’s overall review of its operations and its ongoing efficiency programme the potential Neighbourhood March of home working will again be considered. The environmental benefits associated with this initiative will be Services Division of 2011 fully considered i.e. reduced need to travel, reduced congestion and reduced travel costs against the cost Environment and of implementation. Regeneration Directorate

THEME / CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD DIVISION TARGET PROGRAMME / PARTNER DATE The Integrated Transport Manger will continue to monitor and evaluate advances in vehicle technology Neighbourhood Ongoing which potentially bring with it economic and environmental positives. This will involve both vehicle design Services Division of and technology as well as fuel type. This information will be fully utilised as part of the future vehicle Environment and acquisition programme. Regeneration Directorate The Council will evaluate the potential impact of an I.T. software package designed specifically to produce Neighbourhood March the most effective routing for vehicles. This system was recently viewed by officers in another local Services Division of 2011 authority where significant improvements have been reported. The assessment will cover both the financial Environment and and environmental impact of the system. Regeneration Directorate Details of individual vehicle fuel consumptions are now being monitored in a number of areas across Neighbourhood March Neighbourhood Services. This is being linked with tracker information to identify the potential of more Services Division of 2011 effective routing. If successful this approach will be expanded where practical across the Council. Environment and Regeneration Directorate Motivate Work with the Energy Savings Trust advice centre to develop the Motivate Scheme and work towards the E&R Directorate 31 March Scheme & Green Fleet Hero award. 2011 Green Fleet Hero award Participation in The Council will continue to play an integral key regional role in rolling out electric vehicle infrastructure. E&R Directorate 31 March the electric Not only will we increase the number of charging posts within the City boundary we will offer an installation 2011 vehicles and and maintenance service to other partners both private and public on a regional basis. associated infrastructure Under this project we will continue to explore the potential of expanding our own fleet of electric vehicles strategy which we will then use in our neighbourhoods to further promote the availability and capability of such vehicles. Internal Staff The Council will further target reductions in its officer mileage whilst at the same time further examine the All Council Ongoing and Member potential of reducing taxi usage. Travel Senior Officers will rigorously assess all requests for travel submitted to them. Such an assessment will All Council Ongoing consider both the business needs for the travel as well as the environmental consequences. The bike to work scheme and car salary sacrifice scheme will continue to be offered to employees. All Council Ongoing The Travel Office will seek to increase the number of electric vehicles within the car pool. Regulatory Services Ongoing The EST advice centre has secured 999 Smarter driving lessons for Council Employees from September ESTAC NE & E&R March 1st 2010. Staff are undergoing in car driver training, simulator sessions and classroom tuition to maximise Directorate 2011 on the uptake of safe and fuel efficient driving behaviour

12. Local Development Framework and Regeneration

What we’ve achieved so far:

The impacts of new developments on climate change can be mitigated through the LDF by promoting a range of adaptation methods and identifying achievable policy targets. The LDF will consider and help to address the national targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Improving Energy Efficiency The LDF will contribute to achieving the national targets for making all new homes zero carbon by 2016 and all new non-residential developments by 2019. The Government wants to achieve zero carbon for new homes by adjusting building regulations in three stages. These are: • a 25% improvement in energy efficiency by 2010 (equates to level 3) • a 44% improvement by 2013 (equates to level 4); and • zero-carbon homes by 2016 (equates level 6). The Planning and Energy Act 2008 enables local planning authorities in England to impose requirements for development in their area to comply with energy efficiency standards that exceed the energy requirements of the buildings regulations. Guidance is provided by the Planning for Climate Change supplement to Planning Policy Statement 1. To this end the LDF will seek to ensure that new developments result in reduced carbon emissions, compared to traditional building design and construction, based on agreed targets.

Renewable and Low Carbon Sources of Electricity Renewable and low-carbon sources of energy have a role to play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The LDF will ensure that new developments are designed to reduce their energy consumption and limit their reliance on energy consumption from non-renewable resources by sourcing an agreed percentage of their energy supply from decentralised and renewable or low-carbon sources. A study to evaluate the potential for delivering carbon reduction through planning (the LDF) has been commissioned jointly with Gateshead, to assist with the setting of realistic and viable targets.

Decentralised Energy Production The LDF will provide the policy framework to assist with the delivery of decentralised energy generation sources, aimed at procuring energy efficiency, energy savings or reductions in CO2 emissions. The LDF will promote rather than restrict the use of renewable energy, and develop criteria based policies to identify potentially suitable areas for renewable and low-carbon energy sources and supporting infrastructure. The LDF will reflect and enforce the Council's approach to decentralised energy proposals, including the use of ESCos.

Sustainable Waste Management The LDF will need to contribute towards the delivery of sustainable waste management, in accordance with the City’s Sustainable Waste Strategy.

Potential sites for waste treatment will be identified and criteria based policies developed to facilitate the delivery of appropriate waste management facilities. The potential for improvements to the handling of waste at source, for example in both the design and construction of new developments will be evaluated. The use of residual waste as an energy resource will be evaluated as part of the process. Should the potential use of residual waste as an energy resource be pursued by the Council, then this will be reflected in the LDF.

Water Management The Flood and Water Act identifies the Councils responsibilities in co-ordinating the response to managing surface water. As a result of this the Council aims to ensure it develops a full understanding of the risk of flooding from all sources across the city. This will be achieved in the undertaking of the following studies and assessments. The Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) will identify the areas within the city at risk and jointly with Gateshead, the Council will prepare a Water Cycle Study (WCS) which will explore water quality, supply and consumption through the City. In addition to the WCS, again jointly with Gateshead, a Surface Water Management Plan (SWMP) will be produced, this will build on the risk identified for surface water flooding within the SFRA, seeking to provide initiatives and recommendations to reduced and limit this risk. These studies will be use to inform the Drainage and Flood management work stream and the planning policies that will be adopted by the Council to ensure that future development is directed to the most appropriate areas and does not result in further risk elsewhere in the city.

Green infrastructure and biodiversity Our green infrastructure will play a role in climate change management, especially water management. In addition, areas important for biodiversity can be maintained and enhanced through appropriate improvements and management of our green infrastructure. The Green Infrastructure Study being undertaken jointly with Gateshead will ensure that the LDF provides for a sound green infrastructure for the City. Green spaces can also contribute to renewable such as biomass. Newcastle shall aim to ensure that the choice of species in our green spaces takes consideration of climate change, biodiversity, explores the potential of fuel sources and act as carbon sinks. The council will continue support green spaces in accessible locations.

Note: The main impact Planning Policy can have is in the area of new build. Flood risk and management of water resources is reported through the Drainage and Water Management section/ action plan. The planning framework is constantly changing at national level, this uncertainty adds to the challenge of developing forward thinking constructive policies. However, the LDF will aim to improve on national standards at the local level where it is considered to be technically and financially viable.

Our plans for the future: THEME / PROGRAMME CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD TARGET DIVISION DATE / PARTNER Promote the reduction of Reduce carbon emissions from new development and growth. Strategic Ongoing carbon emissions in new Investigate the incorporation of targets into the LDF to reduce carbon emissions in new development. Housing, development Encourage renewable energy to be incorporated in new development and set targets based on a Planning and Summer sound evidence base. 2012 Transportatio Need to develop monitoring framework n

Ensure development Promote re-use of existing buildings Strategic Ongoing makes more effective Promote development in areas served by sustainable forms of transport ; Housing, use of land and Set targets for the re-use of previously developed land Planning and materials Consider the use of recycled and recyclable materials, including aggregates Transportatio Optimise the use of locally sourced sustainable materials Protect minerals and other natural resources through policies in the LDF n Facilitate recycling, composting and re-use; consider waste management and collection as part of the Summer design of new developments through early engagement in the Development Management process 2012 Outcomes: • Avoid wastage of materials • Avoid sprawl and associated travel demands; • Ensure better use of infrastructure (most brownfield land is in central locations with established infrastructure) • Reduce energy required to make and deliver materials Encourages walking, Seek contributions towards improvements of green infrastructure, including walk and cycle ways; as Strategic Ongoing cycling and the use of part of new developments Housing, public transport; Develop parks within walking distance from residential areas Planning and Outcome: Delivers reductions in fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions Transportatio Deliver a comprehensive, safe cycle network for the City Implement the Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan n Revise the secured services bus network to take account of local needs March 2011

THEME / PROGRAMME CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD TARGET DIVISION DATE / PARTNER Ensure high standards Evaluate options to set challenging targets in the LDF policy framework, ahead of the building Environment Ongoing of energy efficiency and regulations for BREEAM and CSH & reduced CO2 emissions Ensure that development minimise their energy demand and make the most efficient use of energy Regeneration (Consider policy options that will ensure developments make the best use of natural light and Directorate ventilation, solar energy, passive heating and cooling and use efficient plant and appliances, the use of voltage regulators) Outcome: reduced energy consumption by new development and reduced CO2 emissions from new development Completion of the Supplemental Planning Document on sustainable construction and design Development management to ensure development proposals comply with identified requirements; Regeneration to deliver key outcomes through their projects; City Centre to deliver key outcomes through the development of Strategic sites (e.g. Pilgrim Street); Strategic Partners, including 1NG to ensure quality is embedded in major projects (e.g. Science City, Ouseburn Housing, Septemb Valley, Baltic Keys) and Development Industry by ensuring design principles, including sustainable Planning and er 2011 design and construction, are embedded in the development process from the outset Transportatio n Enable new Evaluate policy options to seek developers to connect to and / or contribute towards the establishment Neighbourho Ongoing developments to of district heat networks in selected locations od Services contribute towards the Seek to ensure that developments use and contribute towards decentralised or on-site energy use and generation of generation from low carbon or renewable sources (Set spatial targets by building type in the policy decentralised energy framework, based on the evidence supplied by ENTEC) from low carbon or Consider protecting areas with significant potential for commercial scale renewable or low carbon renewable sources energy generation from inappropriate development Facilitate the introduction of heat networks; use opportunities for use of feedback tariff Outcome: reduce dependency on grid and reduce CO2 emissions associated with energy generation; reduce reliance on non-renewable sources of energy and improve security of supply Requires a pro-active approach to heat networks by the City and a corporate commitment to delivering the required infrastructure. Ensure resilience to Embed resilience to future impacts of climate change in design process; promote developments that Strategic Summer future impacts of climate are designed to be adaptable and responsive to changing needs Housing, 2011 change Planning and Transportatio n

13. Domestic Housing

What we’ve achieved so far:

There are approximately 122,000 domestic properties in Newcastle, which contribute 34% of the CO2 generated by Newcastle. Reducing the CO2 generated in the domestic sector not only makes a substantial contribution towards the overall targets but will also contribute towards improving living standards by helping to reduce fuel poverty and improving the physical condition of the property. Newcastle has a long history of being at the forefront of improving domestic sector energy which has included supporting district heating schemes and establishment of Newcastle Warm Zone. Newcastle is the headquarters to both Eaga, who administer the Government’s Warm Front Grant and National Energy Action who lead on fuel poverty issues nationally. Newcastle is also fortunate to have a number of further delivery partners and will continue working with these to share and mainstream best practice.

Newcastle Warm Zone

Newcastle Warm Zone (NWZ) is a not-for-profit partnership between Newcastle City Council, Your Homes Newcastle, ScottishPower and many other organisations across the private, public and voluntary sectors. NWZ started in April 2004, with the primary aims of significantly reducing fuel poverty and improving energy efficiency across all of the city's households by offering free or discounted insulation and heating measures together with an integrated package of benefits assistance and energy efficiency advice. Due to its success the programme has been extended to seven years from the original four. The work of NWZ: • Reduces CO2 emissions cost-effectively • Sustains local jobs • Tackles fuel poverty • Reduces health inequalities and improves the health & wellbeing of residents • Contributes towards delivering Newcastle's Affordable Warmth Strategy • Reduces residents' fuel bills • Increases local incomes • Boosts the local economy

To March 2010, NWZ has: • Completed over 77,000 home energy efficiency / fuel poverty assessments; • Delivered almost 45,000 insulation measures and 310,000 low energy light bulbs; • Secured over £7.5 million in new benefits income; and,

• Led to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of approximately 25,000 tonnes each year (the carbon emissions equivalent of taking around 8,000 cars off the road for good).

District Heating and Community Energy Schemes

The Council’s Energy Strategy contains a commitment to investigate the feasibility of creating community energy schemes, possibly through an Energy Services Company (ESCo) as a means of contributing to both carbon reduction and affordable warmth priorities.

The concept of district heating has been well established in Northern Europe and, when run well, can be 85-95% efficient and can produce electricity through a combined heat and power engine. In addition to the high efficiency levels the system’s heat source can utilise low grade fuel sources and thus be easily linked to carbon neutral fuels. As a result, residents and commercial organisations connected to the system will receive low cost, low carbon heating which will contribute towards CO2 targets and reduce fuel poverty. Newcastle has one major district heating scheme based around Byker, servicing almost 1,800 Your Homes Newcastle (YHN) managed properties plus a further 47 smaller group and sheltered schemes. The Council is currently investigating the potential use of district or community energy schemes in other areas of the city, including Riverside Dene.

The potential of securing a sustainable source of energy from the geology of the city itself is a related area of genuine excitement and we are committed to working with Science City partners to investigate this potential. Work is also underway to evaluate the feasibility of other decentralised energy schemes across the city.

National Energy Action NEA develops and promotes energy efficiency services to tackle the heating and insulation problems of low-income households. Working in partnership with central and local government; with fuel utilities, housing providers and health services; and with consumer organisations, NEA aims to eradicate fuel poverty and campaigns for greater investment in energy efficiency to help those who are poor or vulnerable.

EAGA Eaga was founded and has its headquarters in Newcastle and over the last 20 years has developed three key areas of work:

Heating and Renewables – they are one of the UK’s leading providers of central heating systems, loft, cavity and external wall insulation, boiler replacement, servicing and repair. They inspect some 500,000 homes each year and employ more than 3,000 people in delivering this range of services.

Carbon Services – Eaga bring innovative products and services to market are key functions of the Carbon Services team. In this context Eaga work with the big six energy providers, the water utility companies and other organisations – private, public and third sector. Products such as the Eaga ShowerSmart, Floodsax and the DrainBack solar thermal system are examples of innovation.

Managed Services – delivering large scale and complex end to end outsourcing contracts the Managed Services Division has the capacity and expertise to take on front and back office services. Re-engineering operations and providing more customer intimate and outcome focused services is the core skill of the Managed Services team. Contracts with the Department for Energy and Climate Change (Warm Front), the BBC (the digital switchover for the elderly and vulnerable) and the Legal Services Commission (telephone advice services) are a key part of the business. Most recently a joint venture with Newcastle City Council has been formed (The Real Partnership) to explore the scope for jointly delivering a wide range of public back and front office services.

The Energy Saving Trust advice centre The Energy Saving Trust advice centre is funded by Government to provide free, impartial and independent advice to the domestic sector on energy efficiency, micro renewable energy generation and transport advice. In the last 3 years the Energy Saving Trust advice centre has provided to over 8,000 households in Newcastle. Energy Saving Trust will target able to pay sector to take up insulation measures.

Domestic Housing Work Stream The innovative and successful work which has been undertaken within the domestic sector to reduce the carbon emissions will continue with the Domestic Housing Work Stream within the Newcastle Climate Change Partnership taking a leading role. This will include, monitoring progress within the domestic sector, providing leadership and support to existing projects and seeking to facilitate the development of further initiatives to meet the NI186 targets. The Councils Housing Strategy will make a critical contribution to this work.

Our plans for the future:

THEME / CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD DIVISION TARGE PROGRAMME / PARTNER T DATE YHN Moderns homes Investment programme 2004-2011 to bring YHN stock up to modern homes standard YHN Investment Delivery April Standard. Single to double glazing. Manager 2011 Investment programme 2004-2011 to bring YHN stock up to modern homes standard Newcastle Warm Zone April YHN Investment Delivery 2011 Loft Insulation: YHN funding confirmed + CERT funding available to at least 2012. Also Manager need a more integrated and sustained partnership effort to ensure all homes are accessed and measures delivered wherever practicable.

THEME / CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD DIVISION TARGE PROGRAMME / PARTNER T DATE Investment programme 2004-2011 to bring YHN stock up to modern homes standard Newcastle Warm Zone April YHN Investment Delivery 2011 Cavity Wall insulation: YHN funding confirmed + CERT funding available to at least 2012. Manager Also need a more integrated and sustained partnership effort to ensure all homes are accessed and measures delivered wherever practicable. Communal Riverside Dene - Refurbishment of 4 tower blocks linked up to a new biomass heating Area Based Regeneration Ongoing Heating system. £1.7m funding through HCA Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund to install district heating powered by a combination of biomass and gas boilers. A total of 395 units within the first 4 blocks with further block of 76 units due to start refurbishment works in June 2010. Queens Court – upgrade of existing communal heating system to 120 flats from gas fired YHN, Head of Property Ongoing boiler to Biomass. Maintenance Renewables Delivery of a renewable photovoltaic technologies to approx. 1,000 homes, utilising Feed in Neighbourhood Services Ongoing Tariffs. Partnership for delivery with NCC, eaga (or other provider(s)), Warm Zones and Narec. Development of delivery models underway and assessment of partnership opportunities Delivery of a solar hot water project subject to the outcomes of the renewable heat Neighbourhood Services Ongoing incentive. Partnership for delivery with NCC, provider(s), Warm Zones and Narec. TSB HCA funding for demonstration projects aiming to retrofit existing properties to cut Environment & Regeneration Ongoing emissions, Walker Garden Suburb Retrofit ERDF External insulation programme to 74 and potential PassiveHaus insulation approach to 4 YHN Ongoing non traditional constructed homes (Dorrin construction) in the Denton area NCC District CHP scheme for 81 (9x9) flats in the Westerhope area Newcastle Warm Zone Community YHN / Affordable Warmth whole house solutions estates Energy Services Manager Ongoing Energy Saving Solid wall insulation in 186 Wimpy no fines in West Denton area Newcastle Warm Zone YHN Boiler Annual maintenance programme Head of Property Maintenance, Ongoing Replacement YHN Programme Byker Estate Transfer of 2,000 LA properties within the Byker Estate to a Housing Trust. The Area Based Regeneration Under Housing Trust investment programme will be developed and will consider option to reduce the carbon develop footprint such as consider photovoltaic’s, insulation and upgrading the district heating ment systems. Fuel poverty Home visits, events and advice for YHN tenants providing advice on behaviour change. Energy Services Manager On going

THEME / CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD DIVISION TARGE PROGRAMME / PARTNER T DATE Tenants Develop and improve the YHN Tenants handbook to provide accurate informative YHN On Handbook information on energy efficiency around the home to all YHN tenants NCC going Groundwork South We will work with Groundwork South Tyneside & Newcastle to explore the options for YHN On Tyneside & retrofitting more void properties, similar to the successful refurbishments delivered in Glebe NCC going Newcastle Street & Enslin Street. Groundwork South Tyneside & Newcastle Private Sector Newcastle Warm Cavity Wall Insulation Newcastle Warm Zone Zone SHIP funding confirmed to 2011 + CERT funding available to at least 2012. Also need a more integrated and sustained partnership effort to ensure all homes are accessed and measures delivered wherever practicable. Loft Insulation Newcastle Warm Zone SHIP funding confirmed to 2011 + CERT funding available to at least 2012. Also need a more integrated and sustained partnership effort to ensure all homes are accessed and measures delivered wherever practicable. Housing External improvement to the fronts of domestic properties within Arthurs Hill and South Strategic Housing, Planning & April Improvement Benwell areas. Improvements targeted at whole streets and includes the option of Transportation 2011 programme replacing defective windows with double glazing. (facelifts) Decent Homes Improvement loans available to owner occupiers across the city bring their property up to Strategic Housing, Planning & April Loans decent homes standard. Measures available will include works to tackle excess cold. Transportation 2011 Insulation, double glazing, heating systems. Environmental Environmental Health Team inspects private homes under the Home Health Safety & Public Health & Private Sector Ongoing Health Rating System. Action is taken where Cat 1 hazards are identified including for Excess Housing Enforcement Cold where insulation, heating and or insulation will be required. Warm front Nationwide government funded scheme to upgrade Loft Insulation in private properties, Eaga Ltd April where the occupier is on low income . Current funding end April 2011 2011 Nationwide government funded scheme to upgrade Cavity wall insulation in private Eaga Ltd April properties, where the occupier is on low income . Current funding end April 2011 2011 Lemington External insulation of 14 terraced pre-1919 properties including brick render finish Strategic Housing, Planning & Complet Thermal Comfort Transportation e 2009 Scheme ELENA/EIB European funding available for technical assistance to develop bids for EIB funding. North ANEC 2012/13 East region submitting £1m ELENA bid mid 2010. EIB application for capital funding for carbon reduction projects to follow completion of ELENA, mid 2012.

THEME / CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD DIVISION TARGE PROGRAMME / PARTNER T DATE Retrofit Retrofit Pilot? Strategic housing, Planning & Septem Transportation/YHN ber 2010 Advice for uptake We will aim to develop independent, impartial advice for home owners to help them invest Environment & Regeneration Ongoing of energy in the energy efficiency and mirco generation of their own homes. We will do this in efficiency & partnership with a wide range of other service providers. We will help residents access microrenewables microgeneration schemes. Private Rented Sector Support RSLs and Develop the ongoing programme of working with the private rented sector to improve the Environment & Regeneration Ongoing Landlords energy efficiency of the housing stock and the quality of information and advice to tenants Directorate

Case Study: Newcastle Warm Zone Newcastle Warm Zone is making a major contribution to reducing carbon emissions in the city by improving home energy efficiency. Over 77,000 homes have benefited from the scheme which has resulted in annual carbon reductions of 25,000 tonnes. The scheme provides access to funding and grants for a range of energy saving measures including loft and cavity wall insulation, heating repairs and low energy light bulbs. Warm Zone also offers advice on benefits to make sure people are claiming all the help they are entitled to, and reduce fuel poverty.

Energy saving measures: Mr Greene is one of the many thousands of residents who have benefited from the free energy saving measures installed by Warm Zone. The measures could save Mr Greene over £150 from his annual fuel bills. “I wasn’t going to bother having the work done at first…but there was no inconvenience, it took no time. With high gas prices I can’t afford to be throwing away money, so I couldn’t be more pleased.” Mr Greene with the £150 he is likely to save

Advice on benefits: An elderly and infirm local resident, discovered that he qualified for free loft and cavity wall insulation after he was visited by a Warm Zone assessor. At the same time, the assessor carried out a free benefits review, which resulted in the resident being awarded approximately £7,000 per year in new entitlements.

Case Study: Your Homes Newcastle Modern Homes Investment Programme Improvements to Council homes as part of Your Homes Newcastle’s (YHN) Modern Homes Investment Programme are helping to make houses across the city more energy efficient. The programme is funded from £348 million extra government funding which YHN is using to bring all Council homes in line with the Decent Homes Standard by 2011. The Decent Homes Standard sets out minimum standards for homes covering: • Health and safety, Modern amenities, Affordable warmth , Wind and water tight To achieve these standards, YHN are making a range of internal and external improvements such as installing central heating and replacing windows and doors which are helping to reduce carbon emissions at the same time. Window replacement: Each property undergoes an individual technical inspection before work starts on an estate to determine what work needs to be done. The window replacement scheme is part of the external improvements package. It replaces windows that are in poor condition with high performance wooden frame windows with sealed double-glazed units. The windows also have high quality draughtproofing and insulation features to reduce heat loss. Since 2004/05, 16,293 properties have had windows installed and a further 683 properties are due to have an external package before the end of the programme. So far the programme has proved very popular, with YHN’s customer survey revealing that 96% of tenants are satisfied with the external programme*. This exceeds YHN’s target of 90%. YHN is an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) responsible for managing council homes on behalf of Newcastle City Council. *30% of tenants surveyed New windows in Byker

14. Transport

What we’ve achieved so far:

Technological measures (for example move to electric cars) are important in reducing transport emissions but they are not enough on their own. The choices that individuals and businesses make on a daily basis about when, where and how to travel and transport goods are also vital. Promoting lower carbon choices falls into different categories of activity: • Reducing the need to travel • Providing lower carbon public transport • Promoting the integration of transport modes • Promoting other sustainable modes (walking, cycling) • Promoting change through better information • Reducing CO2 from business-related travel and the distribution of goods

Examples of specific activities being undertaken in Newcastle (and Tyne and Wear through the joint Local Transport Plan) to reduce the impact of transport on climate change include: • Travel behaviour change campaigns such as o Smarter Choices – offering aid for local authority workplace and school travel planners, offering individualised travel marketing to the public o Be Air Aware – public awareness campaign informing Tyne and Wear residents of ways to improve our air quality, also funding initiatives (such as cycling proficiency training etc) in schools and businesses to promote sustainable travel methods • Travel plans for council staff, other workplaces, schools: o Use of travel plan software iTrace, improving monitoring and sharing of plans. o Parking provision standards are applied to new developments, including parking fees and use of parking space for other purposes (such as charging stations for electric vehicles) • Car sharing • Car clubs • Public transport improvements including Bus Priority Measures (No-Car lanes), improvements to waiting areas and fleet quality (Super routes Audits), Public transport information (real time information) and Park and Ride at key sites • Cycle path and footway improvements, provision of cycle maps, cycle parking, cycle training

Our plans for the future:

THEME / CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD TARGET PROGRAM DIVISION DATE ME / PARTNER Public Encourage increased use of public transport through:- Environme Ongoing Transport Bus Priority Measures (No-Car lanes) nt & Improvements to waiting areas and fleet quality (Major bus corridors Audits) Regenerat Public transport information (real time information) ion Park and Ride at key sites Directorat New fleets of buses being introduced (e.g. on the No.1 Service) are Euro400 standard e Support Green Bus Fund submissions to improve environmental performance of bus fleet October Simplified ticketing (Discussions about Smart Ticketing and improved cross- boundary under 16 travel currently under 2010 discussion with Nexus) Develop options for Quality Bus Partnerships with operators Transport Current campaigns aimed at the general public to promote behavioural change and reduce transport emissions Environme Ongoing Behaviour Smarter Choices – offering aid for local authority workplace and school travel planner, offering individualised travel nt & Change marketing to the public (work stream to start imminently) Regenerat Campaign Be Air Aware – public awareness campaign informing Tyne and Wear residents of ways to improve our air quality, also ion funding initiatives (such as cycling proficiency training etc) in schools and businesses to promote sustainable travel Directorat methods. Encouraging Tyne and Wear residents to travel sustainable and make small changes to their travel behaviour e Increased research and monitoring into households reached and car trips saved Walking Encourage increased walking and cycling. 2008 Tyne and Wear cycling maps and audit updated in July 2009. Environme Ongoing and Cycling Plans for improved cycle parking across the region. Tyne and Wear Accessibility Action Plan – funds improve nt & provisions for walkers and cyclists. Regenerat Travel Plans including walking/ cycling routes/ initiatives as planning conditions for major trip generators including ion schools and colleges. Directorat Improved infrastructure for walking and cycling e Incorporate fully comprehensive walking and cycling strategies into LTP3. Improvements to monitoring cycling and walking uptake. Develop city centre cycling network Commen ce Septemb er 2010

THEME / CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD TARGET PROGRAM DIVISION DATE ME / PARTNER Travel Monitor and oversee travel plans Environme Ongoing Plans Use of travel plan software iTrace, improving monitoring and sharing of plans. nt & Parking standards are applied to new developments, including parking fees and use of parking space for other Regenerat purposes (such as charging stations for electric vehicles) ion Reducing single occupancy car use through actively putting in restraints towards use of the car, and providing choices Directorat for sustainable provisions as part of new developments e Expand service offers to more businesses – work more closely with businesses Join travel planning into wider agendas and roles such as workplace health promoters. Review parking restrictions as part of SPD for new developments. Freight The LTP Partners have established a Freight Quality Partnership across the region to target heavy freight traffic aimed Environme Ongoing Distribution at creating a more efficient and sustainable flow of freight traffic – benefiting the economy and the environment, as well nt & as reducing congestion Regenerat Currently updating the Tyne and Wear freight maps ion Installing additional electronic Truck Information Points Directorat Producing electronic abnormal loads route maps. e Newcastle is progressing the development of the region’s first freight consolidation centre. Increasing the flow of freight traffic via the production of dedicated maps for freight route and information points, as well as giving priority time and lanes to freight vehicles. More priority needed to freight vehicles in terms of dedicated lanes and loading/ unloading times to avoid them getting stuck in regular traffic. Review coach parking and drop off facilities in the City Centre Summer 2011 Car sharing Car sharing networks have been recognised as an important measure to encourage residents to share journeys to and Environme Ongoing networks from work. Dedicated car sharing database through Smarter Choices, allowing members to register to find car sharing nt & options/ partners for journeys to/ from work. Regenerat The total carbon dioxide emissions of all trips registered on the Share Smarter system stands at 488.46 tonnes per year ion (based on 1,953,843 vehicle miles). Directorat Need to establish easier methods of accessing databases for car sharing e Need to improve awareness around the existence of car sharing networks and uses Advanced information on safety procedures surrounding databases Similar schemes for other mode shares (cycle buddy, walking buddy)

THEME / CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD TARGET PROGRAM DIVISION DATE ME / PARTNER Car Club Newcastle City Council is the first Tyne and Wear local authority to appoint a Car Club – Commonwheels. Fully Environme Ongoing operational Car Club Commonwheels in Newcastle offering access to cars for both individuals and businesses. nt & Confirmed car locations on Dean Street, Quayside, Civic Centre, Jesmond and Leazes Park Road. Regenerat Further locations to be rolled out in 10/11 ion Greater awareness and understanding of the car club concept through marketing Directorat Greater flexibility for users – allowing drivers who have had their license for under two years to join the scheme (as new e drivers are more likely to buy cars) Improved monitoring is needed in order to record how many trips are saved Eco- friendly driving information/ training for members needed. Parking Newcastle has confirmed its Interim Planning Guidance on parking levels to ensure rigid standards are maintained Environme Ongoing Restrictions despite changes to the planning system. nt & Roll out of 20mph speed limits on all residential streets in Tyne and Wear on-going Regenerat Low parking provisions are applied to new developments ion Restricted parking provisions in all Tyne and Wear city centres on-going Directorat Newcastle continues to implement permit household RPZ restrictions where necessary, up to 6 have been implemented e in the past year We have increased taxi bay provision, We have removed various elements of car parking provision to support the introduction of dedicated electric charging bays.

THEME / CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD TARGET PROGRAM DIVISION DATE ME / PARTNER New In June 2009 it was announced that the North East had won a £3.9 million project which will see an initial 35 passenger Environme Ongoing Vehicle EV’s (electric vehicles) developed in the region, which is already home to one of Europe’s most productive car plants, nt & Technologi Nissan, and Smith Electric Vehicles, the world-leading manufacturer of commercial electric vehicles. Regenerat es The project will include; 15 Nissan cars, 10 Smith electric taxis, five Smith people carriers, a Smith executive minibus, ion two AVID saloon cars and two Liberty urban Range Rovers, alongside a network of charging points Directorat Newcastle University’s Transport Operations Research Group will monitor and model the performance and use of the e vehicles. Tyne and Wear authorities have agreed to develop the necessary infrastructure in 2009/2010 and an agreement to install new electric vehicle charging points has been signed by One North East and Newcastle City Council. Through the Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme via Cenex (national agency/centre of excellence) available to the Council to help develop its own fleet of low carbon vehicles By undertaking focus groups and surveys of potential users, one would gain an insight in the barriers (perceived or real) the wider scale deployment and use of EV’s - and through modelling and extrapolation, one would be able to demonstrate the CO2-saving benefits of having a proportion of EV’s in the North East road transport fleet mix. Project needs to focus on promoting electric vehicles as a viable sustainable travel option to businesses and private individuals – utilising the fleet rather than focussing on evaluating the performance of the vehicles from a technical point. Traffic Several monitoring arrangements are already in place across the region to report on our indicators. A clear structure of Environme Ongoing Monitoring monitoring arrangements helps us gain a better understanding of traffic flows, sustainable transport issues and nt & patronage levels – allowing us to look into solutions to issues such as parking demand, mode split and journey Regenerat reliability. ion Directorat e

15. Economic Development & Private Sector Engagement

What we’ve achieved so far:

Newcastle has primarily, a service based economy, with very few ‘heavy’ producers of carbon. Within the private sector, this is distributed across the provision of professional services, financial services, and a dominant retail and leisure sector. As a regional capital, the public sector is a significant operator, and has two universities, several major hospitals, and central government agencies located in the city. To help ensure that the industrial and commercial sectors are able to reduce emissions, the priorities are to: • provide information and clarity to businesses; • embed the principles of sustainable urbanism in the LDF, meaning that the planning framework will ensure that business locations will be more sustainable • intervene where there are signs of market failure, which means that firms are not responding to opportunities • promote/stimulate the environmental and low-carbon economies. Immediate actions to address these priorities include: • Energy Performance Contracting Pilot - A critical study will assess current European practices for energy contracting, the potential to adopt an appropriate model for Newcastle, estimate the emissions reduction that are achievable, and finally a route plan to facilitate the implementation of such an energy performance contract. The importance of developing an energy performance contract, is that it could bridge the gap faced by SMEs in attempting to implement carbon reduction policies. SMEs, as tenants of the commercial property sector, are often unable to carry out much of the physical improvements to buildings that could deliver energy savings and unlike larger organisations, often have limited internal capacity to address these issues. • Support ONE to implement the findings of the Economic Implications of Climate Change Regional Study which is currently underway across the region. The report will provide the foundations for the key areas of activity in both reducing carbon production, and exploiting the economic opportunities that climate change will produce. It will also help towards identifying those sectors of our economy at the highest risk from a changing climate. • Work with the Carbon Trust and Business Enterprise North East, Chambers of Commerce and other partners to ensure our businesses access the support available to enterprises to improve energy efficiency. • Support 1NG to implement one of their four priorities – to break the link between economic growth and carbon emissions. This will include the development of a low-carbon action plan for NewcastleGateshead.

Our plans for the future:

The proposed aims of the economic development work stream are three-fold:

• First, to reduce carbon emissions from the private, public and voluntary sectors and enable firms to increase competitiveness through reduced energy efficiency; • Second, to ensure that businesses take necessary mitigation steps to combat climate change; • And third, to stimulate growth of low-carbon industries in Newcastle.

Much of this work will be driven forward and delivered through our partners at 1NG (the City Development Company established in partnership with Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council) and the associated 1PLAN Strategy. With almost 6,000 firms in Newcastle, it would be impractical for the public sector to provide 1-2-1 advice and support to all of them to help them reduce carbon emissions. The Council also has limited expertise and capacity in this area. Instead, the priority is to ensure that all firms are aware of the need to cut carbon and the potential risks posed by the climate, and how to access available support and advice.

One area where we can look to make a significant difference is around retrofitting property. Measures to retrofit residential buildings have been long established, but there is no similar national scheme to promote the retrofitting of commercial buildings. Similarly, there may be limited incentives, or even legal right, for the occupier of a building to make energy efficiency modifications to buildings which they lease, rather than own. If the owner does not pay the energy bills, they may also have limited incentives to invest in energy saving measures. At present, we are not aware of the potential opportunity of resolving this incentive problem: to the best of our understanding, this issue is not being explored by other organisations, it remains to be seen how strong a driver energy performance certificates will be.

The two major providers of specialist support are Business Link and the Carbon Trust. Business Link [BENE is the provider in the NE] is the main gateway to all forms of Government-funded business support, including support to reduce carbon emissions. Improving ‘Environment & efficiency’ is one of the 12 major categories of advice available to companies through the Business Link website. The website contains a considerable amount of information, including a free online tool, 'Identify where you can save money by going green', case studies and contact details for bespoke advice. The Carbon Trust also provides specialist low-carbon information to businesses of all sizes and sectors. Their offer ranges from on-line tools to the provision of account managers for the largest companies.

As a city, Newcastle is also well positioned to gain a significant share of emerging, low-carbon, industries. Firstly plans for the construction of off- shore wind turbines on the Tyne, with the potential to secure additional investors are well underway. Second, one of the major themes of Science City is ‘sustainability’ – which will be the key driver for the science central site. And third, there is considerable expertise in these areas amongst the university and some other parts of the public sector – including the Marine Maritime Organisation, which is headquartered in Newcastle. Development of the low carbon economy is one of major key themes in the economic masterplan.

THEME / CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD DIVISION TARGET PROGRAMME / PARTNERS DATE Provide Find out information on level of uptake of low-carbon business support advice from Carbon Trust and CXO Jul 10 businesses BENE. Uncertainty about roles/funding of partner organisations post-election information to cut Conduct an E-survey of businesses to determine level of awareness and interest in events. CXO Sept 10 their carbon emissions Hold an awareness-raising event in Newcastle, potentially with the NECC, CBI and FSB CXO Jan 11

Use the Economic Masterplan’s ‘Top 200’ companies to ensure that all the major companies in the city CXO Mar 11 are actively looking to cut emissions. Liaison with ONE & Twedco required Retro-fit Assess the extent to which there is a ‘local delivery’ role for stimulating further activity to retro-fit energy CXO Mar 11 commercial saving measures for buildings, and what/whether there would be funding to support it buildings Energy efficiency Conduct a pilot to find out occupiers/owners of a limited number [around five] of sites in the city where CXO Oct 10 of leased this issue may arise. buildings Investigate the issue with owners and sample of occupiers, producing recommendations on future CXO Jan 11 steps. Depending on results, roll out a strategy to reduce emissions from these buildings. CXO Apr 11

Improve Assess the potential impact of feasible temperature and rainfall changes on city. Incorporate findings CXO Sept 10 resilience of from the NE Economic Impact of Climate Change Study businesses to Assess impact on local businesses and economy CXO Mar 11 flooding and major weather Provide information on the council’s website, to enable businesses to understand the level of threat and CXO Apr 11 events appropriate actions which could be taken. Write to/meet the most vulnerable businesses to raise awareness of the problem CXO Jul 11

Development of The Tyne established as a world-class location for the manufacture and maintenance of wind turbines CXO Oct-11 new low-carbon industries Action plan to provide skilled workers for wind turbine manufacture and maintenance developed CXO Oct-11

Low-carbon technologies incorporated within the Science City innovation machine programme CXO Oct-11

Analysis of low carbon skills requirements and pathways to qualifications completed CXO Oct-11

Science Central established as a leading sustainability knowledge hub CXO Oct-13

THEME / CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD DIVISION TARGET PROGRAMME / PARTNERS DATE NewcastleGateshead recognised as the UK leader for low-carbon skills training CXO Oct-13

Virtual low carbon training academy fully operational CXO Oct-13

16. Drainage & Flood Management

What we’ve achieved so far:

The Council continues to develop its relationships with the Environment Agency and Northumbrian Water. These links have worked well when we have had to deal with potential flooding events, particularly in the Ouseburn Catchment. The Flood and Water Act will give local authorities an enhanced local role, including the leadership and accountability for ensuring the effective management of local flood risk. A first stage in reviewing the risk management of surface water flooding has been the updating the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA). This has provided a basis for a Surface Water Management Plan being prepared jointly with Gateshead Council. It has been partly funded by Housing Growth Points and City Flood (EA). A Water Cycle Study is also being undertaken that will look more closely at the management and use of water by exploring water quality, supply and consumption through the City. These studies will ensure that development takes place in a sustainable fashion by avoiding areas prone to flooding while not adversely affecting properties elsewhere by causing flooding. For example it will advise developers about mitigation works that are needed outside the immediate site. A Drainage Asset Management Plan will be needed to provide more detail about critical infrastructure that if not maintained or improved could lead to flooding. It will allow residents access to information about how the various agencies are carrying out their responsibilities. Environment Agency Tyne Catchment Flood Management Plan indicates: • +20% increase in peak flows for future flood levels • +10% increase in rainfall intensity • +7mm/yr rise in sea-levels • Affect on tidal reaches We’ve also begun ad-hoc adaptation responses, such as installing airbrick flood protectors in hotspot locations, raising the bridge in Whitebridge park to reduce flow restrictions and debris. Retention tanks have also been installed in some of the schools in the council’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project. These help regulate discharge of water into drainage systems, reducing costs and ensuring a smaller peak discharge burden to the overall infrastructure. The council has also funded a £100,000 pilot established to fit permeable pavements in Fawdon ward and observe their contribution to surface water management. The City Council have also procured a number of maps identifying hotspots for flooding, based on data from City Council records.

Our plans for the future:

THEME / PROGRAMME CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD TARGET DIVISION DATE / PARTNER Ouseburn Catchment Study Bring together organisations that affect the way the catchment functions. To include EA, Technical Ongoing NWL, NCC, Airport, Businesses, Golf courses, Nexus (Metro) Services

To identify risk of flooding and Preparation of Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRM). Joint document with Gateshead Strategic Ongoing understand the level of risk across the Council New developments are located where they are not at risk of flooding. They do not Housing, City increase the risk in other locations. Improved sustainability of communities. More widespread Planning use of Sustainable Drainage systems. Approving Body to be set up as part of Flood and and Water Management Act. transportati on/Technica Lower Tyne l services • Impact of Climate Change on the River Tyne and tributaries • No progress at present but working relationship exists with other riverside authorities • Define area where joint interest is needed. • Additional risk on riverside property to be jointly managed. • Affect on tidal reaches. • Monitoring of river bed levels from point of view. NCC, Gateshead Council, NTC, STC

THEME / PROGRAMME CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD TARGET DIVISION DATE / PARTNER To reduce the risk of damage to Follow SWMP and Water Cycle Technical Guidance. Stages to complete are Technical Ongoing properties and infrastructure by Preparation/Risk Assessment/Options/Implementation and Review. Being progressed using Services / monitoring with other partners, the BNG and EA’s City Flood funding. Jointly procured with Gateshead Improved management of Strategic capacity of the surface drainage water and surface water management Agreement from partners to action plan from Surface Housing system and develop a programme of Water management Plan Planning & works to address hotspots of flooding Economic Damage Transportati across the city. • Assess economic impact of flooding across the City following Climate Change on • What is the cost of flooding to the residents and the City Council now and in the future? • Flood plain increase by about 12% with 6% increase of properties at risk. • EA, NWL, NCC, residents and businesses to be involved Asset Management • Review information in HAMP • Identify all LA assets at risk from flooding Leisure facilities, schools, etc. • Increased numbers of residents exposed to flood risk from localised flooding, watercourses and main rivers. • EA, NWL, NCC, Utilities to be involved Influence • Persuade Partners to carry out works to reduce risk • System Asset Management Plans being prepared by EA to assist in maintenance of main rivers. • NWL’s Ofwat spending budgets. • EA, NWL, NCC Reduce run-off from hard paved areas • Input into new design and adoption standards • Reduce volume of water entering drainage networks • Direct highway drainage to Grass verges, planted areas. • Changes in the way we manage run-off. • NCC, NWL, EA Cont/d • Increase area available for storing excess surface water Ongoing • Use playing fields and agricultural areas to store surface water and keep it out of Surface Water Storage/ attenuation piped drainage networks and watercourses. • Changes in Land Management. • EA, NWL, NCC – playing fields, Town Moor, woodlands

THEME / PROGRAMME CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD TARGET DIVISION DATE / PARTNER To take opportunities to improve the On-going work stream, two bridges on Ouseburn being upgraded Reduce risk of surface Technical Ongoing capacity of existing bridges and water flooding Include in SWMP review Services culverts so that the Authority can comply at times of flooding with a general duty of care to the public Aim to achieve, through collaborative Beginning preparation of SWMP Transport systems and networks remain operational or Technical Ongoing working with partners a transport returned to normal use quickly Include in SWMP review Services system that performs safely and with Precautionary Design Standards minimal disruption under conditions of • Develop design standards that will cope with increased risk of flooding high intensity rainfall. • Investigate what will be the design standards to cope with predicted changes to water levels and rainfall patterns in future. • NCC, EA, NWL to be involved Improve Transport links • Highway drain maintenance. • Assess existing highway drainage networks on agreed major transport links and identify improvements to maintain or improve future flood risk at current levels. • Service reliability maintained at current levels or improved. • NCC, NWL, Nexus to be involved To provide targeted advice and On-going work stream in Resilience Team Education to inform residents of things they can do Resilience Ongoing guidance to communities to inform to protect their properties. Publication of information by City Council Planning and raise awareness of Resilience Team recommended measures and • Information to properties prone to flooding now and in future. procedures that they should follow • Risk of flooding will increase due to sea-level rises and changes in rain storm patterns when an unavoidable flooding event • EA, NWL, Resilience Planning. occurs. Commission Level 2 of the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment - Level 2 of the SFRA will Strategic Ongoing provide detailed information of flooding on key sites, enabling robust action plans to be put in Housing place through the Surface Water Management Plan Planning & Transportati on Work with Northumbria Local Resilience Forum to embed climate change - This will help us Strategic Ongoing understand the linkages between Newcastle and the rest of the region adaptation work into Housing partners’ agenda Planning & Transportati on

THEME / PROGRAMME CURRENT INITIATIVE / ACTIONS REQUIRED LEAD TARGET DIVISION DATE / PARTNER Produce response plans for severe weather events H. Hinds Ongoing

Procure a water cycle study and Surface Water Management Plan with Gateshead Council - Strategic March This will assess the environmental and infrastructure capacity for water supply, sewerage Housing 2011 disposal, flood risk management and surface water drainage, and provide costs for potential Planning & improvements. Transportati on

17. Appendix A – Electricity, Gas and Heat Consumption in Newcastle

18. Appendix B – The Newcastle Climate Change Declaration

19. Glossary TERM EXPLANATION 1NG Company formed by Newcastle and Gateshead to spearhead regeneration in the city.

1PLAN Newcastle and Gateshead’s joint Economic and Spatial master plan, developed by 1NG. The plan sets the direction of economic development in Newcastle and Gateshead, with a focus on building knowledge and green economies.

Adaptation The process of responding to the risks and opportunities created through climate change. This includes changing behaviour, and investing in physical assets to make them more resilient.

ANEC Association of North East Councils

Baseline The term used to define a point in time from which to measure reductions in emissions.

Biomass Boiler A boiler powered by non-traditional methods, such as wood chips or pellets.

BREEAM BRE Environmental Assessment Method – an environmental assessment method for buildings. It sets the standard for best practice in sustainable design and is the main way to describe a building's environmental performance.

Carbon Reduction The CRC is a cap and trade mandatory energy efficiency Commitment scheme aimed at improving energy efficiency and cutting emissions in large public and private sector organisations. CHP Combined Heat and Power. An energy efficiency technology. It provides a means to substantially reduce fuel, or ‘primary energy’, consumption without compromising the quality and reliability of the energy supply to consumers. Consequently it provides a cost-effective means of generating low-carbon or renewable energy.

Climate Change Act National Legislation enshrining the UKs CO2 reductions targets. 2008

Energy Performance Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) are certificates designed Certificates to help improve the energy efficiency of buildings. The certificate provides 'A' to 'G' ratings for the building, with 'A' being the most energy efficient and 'G' being the least. EU Covenant of Mayors The Covenant of Mayors is a commitment by signatory towns and cities to go beyond the objectives of EU energy policy in

terms of reduction in CO2 emissions through enhanced energy efficiency and cleaner energy production and use.

TERM EXPLANATION Ground Source Heat A form of alternative energy generation. Ground source heat Pump pumps use pipes buried in the garden to extract heat from the ground. This is usually used to heat radiators or underfloor heating systems and hot water.

HAMP Highways Assets Management Plan - A strategic document that is regularly reviewed and updated to take account of national standards, guidelines and codes of practice that will include future changes due to climate change

LAA Local Area Agreement. A statutory agreement between the Local Strategic Partnership and Central Government which sets out a range of targets for Newcastle to achieve, linked to a pot of funding.

LDF Local Development Framework – A set of documents which set out planning strategy in the local area. For the purposes of Newcastle, this is done jointly with Gateshead.

LiDAR Light Detection and Ranging – Technology used to measure the heights of buildings, which can also determine pitches of roofs and therefore their suitability for solar panels.

LLSOA Lower Level Super Output Area – A national method of defining a geographic area.

Mitigation The process of taking action to reduce emissions of carbon and other greenhouse gasses

NCVS Newcastle Community and Voluntary Services - an independent non-profit making charitable organisation, managed by an elected voluntary committee which provides advice and support to the community and voluntary sector.

Newcastle Partnership Newcastle’s Local Strategic Partnership – A statutory body consisting of representatives from the public, private and voluntary sectors committed to delivering the outcomes set out in the Sustainable Community Strategy.

NWZ Newcastle Warm Zone – A scheme set up which provides free insulation to homes in Newcastle.

ONE One North East - The North East’s regional development agency, charged with promoting economic development across the North East.

PFI Private Finance Initiative – A way of creating public private partnerships which fund public projects through private capital.

TERM EXPLANATION PV Photo-voltaic - Most commonly used when referring to Solar panels. PV solar panels are those that generate electricity, as opposed to thermal, which heat hot water.

SCS Sustainable Community Strategy - All Local Strategic Partnerships are required to produce a sustainable community strategy. The Strategy looks to outline the vision for Newcastle for the next 20 years.

SEAP Sustainable Energy Action Plan - Under the EU covenant of mayors, we are required to produce a plan outlining how we will reach the emissions reductions required under the covenant. The Climate Change Strategy contains this plan

SFRA Strategic Flood Risk Assessment - Planning Policy Statement 25 (PPS25) on Development and Flood Risk requires that the evidence base for the Local Development Framework. It provides information on the varying levels of flood risk across Newcastle.

SWMP Surface Water Management Plan - A framework through which key local partners with responsibility for surface water and drainage in their area work together to understand the causes of surface water flooding and agree the most cost effective way of managing surface water flood risk

UKCIP UK Climate Impacts Programme - A programme commissioned by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to look at the impacts of climate change.

YHN Your Homes Newcastle - The City Council’s Arms-length Management Organisation responsible for the development and maintenance of its social housing stock.