Go Green Bournemouth

Climate change and sustainable Bournemouth community action plan Go Green Bournemouth Contents Introductions 3 Facing up to the future 5 Adapting to climate change 7 Low carbon Bournemouth 9 Low carbon Council 23 Sustainable Bournemouth 25 2 Improving our environment is a top priority for Bournemouth Council So we have developed this community Councillor Stephen MacLoughlin, action plan for the public, businesses Leader of Bournemouth Council and local public service providers to raise awareness of the issues, and to take positive action that will lead to a Global population is predicted to rise However, the public is becoming sustainable future. by 50% by 2050 - 3 billion additional increasingly sensitive to the imperative The actions we’ve set out will have an people – and naturally, people in of sustainable development, and impact, but they require coordinated rapidly developing countries such as this is expressed by their support for and concerted action by the whole India and China want to break out of environmental initiatives. community in Bournemouth, in tandem Bournemouth poverty and aspire to our lifestyle. For example, in Bournemouth the with our neighbours locally, nationally combined rate for recycling and Council has made But the western world has become and internationally. composting rose from 36% to 40% in used to a way of life that is dependent As a well known high-street retailer 2007/08 alone. ‘improving our on consuming natural resources at an put it, ‘This is Plan A, because there unsustainable rate. Fossil fuels are In response to public opinion, is no Plan B’. environment’ fi nite and release greenhouse gases Bournemouth Council has made as they burn, adding to the natural ‘improving our environment’ its top its top priority processes of climate change. priority, and we have deliberately chosen a broad defi nition of the term Our protein-rich diet drives to include natural, built, social and agricultural land use around the world, economic aspects of our environment with market failure contributing to because they are so inter-related. huge food mountains in some countries and shortages in others. We also waste However, it is not always clear what unacceptable quantities of food. people should do for the best in a subject which is technically, politically and socially complex. 3 Now is the time to act… Together sharing good practice and challenging It is hard to Adrian Thomas, and encouraging partners to act Chair of Bournemouth 2026 effectively in response to what they imagine such things have learnt. As both Bournemouth Borough happening and so At its conference in November 2005 of what is likely to happen as a result Council and the Partnership have even harder to the Bournemouth Partnership, which of climate change and ways in which endorsed the Earth Charter, we have represents over 200 organisations in we can respond to these challenges. a framework against which we can the public, business, voluntary and motivate ourselves However, because we tend to judge our achievements. What this community sectors, started to create perceive climate change as a series reveals at present is that there is a to make the a vision of the Bournemouth we would of predictions which will occur at great deal yet to be done. The action like to see in 2026. some point in the future, we can be plan requires our endorsement and necessary changes Many formal and less formal tempted to postpone our response to a commitment so that the environment discussions with individuals and time when we will actually experience we value so highly will thrive and in the way we live groups went into creating this vision them. It is hard to imagine such sustain life in all its abundance. and the resulting strategy, known as things happening and so even harder Bournemouth 2026 is fully behind Bournemouth Vision 2026, sets out the to motivate ourselves to make the this new vision for our town and we big picture for Bournemouth 2026 and necessary changes in the way we live. will seek to ensure that all of our identifi es the things we can practically Fortunately, this is not the whole plans recognise and respond to the aim for over the four years, 2007- story, nor can it be! Much has already challenges it presents. 2011, towards achieving our goals. been achieved and can be built One of the major challenges we all upon through our action plan. The face is that of climate change. The contribution of Bournemouth 2026 Climate Change and Sustainable continues to be focused through the Bournemouth Community Action Plan Sustainable Environment Forum which sets out clearly the extent and breadth has the role of providing information, 4 Facing up to the future In recent years, the UK government has introduced a range of legislation and action plans to meet the challenges of climate change and sustainable energy. Regional bodies in the south-west building stock and activities, and have also addressed the issues with reference to the particular take a leadership role to promote concerns of the region. energy effi ciency in the wider community Where Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset • To deliver these aims, build on Energy effi ciency strategy • Play our part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2020 is concerned, considerable work has opportunities and overcome and action plan been undertaken during the past fi ve barriers, six priority areas have been • Eliminate fuel poverty in our area years, including: identifi ed. • Create a high degree of awareness by 2016 and community action on energy • Developing positive planning effi ciency Renewable energy strategy policies for renewable energy Green Knowledge Economy and action plan • Make the most of the economic • Developing biomass energy and The concept of the Green Knowledge opportunity of improving energy • Maximise the potential for local renewable energy from waste Economy – in which the environment effi ciency in our area economic benefi t and diversifi cation • Increasing the application of is the main driver of economic • Maximise the use of available • Facilitate renewable energy sustainable energy in buildings development - is seen as crucial in resources within national development appropriate to our meeting the challenges of climate • Raising awareness and programmes to achieve a step- change, and we are currently environment and communities understanding about sustainable change in energy effi ciency developing a viable strategy and action energy • Encourage a high degree of improvement in the domestic sector plan to implement these principles. community involvement, • Developing community renewable and tackle fuel poverty in vulnerable understanding and benefi t from energy initiatives households Green Infrastructure using energy more effi ciently and • Encourage and facilitate a major developing our renewable energy • Researching and developing new The term Green Infrastructure refers increase in business energy resources areas for action on sustainable to a wide range of natural assets such effi ciency energy as beaches, open spaces, gardens and • Play our part in reducing greenhouse • Ensure local authorities reduce street planting and its proper provision gas emissions carbon emissions from their own can make a positive contribution to 5 Image courtesy of Bournemouth Daily Echo Image courtesy of Bournemouth Daily Echo our recreation and health, wildlife Reducing CO2 habitats, food production, fl ood emissions reduction and many other aspects of our daily lives. With current emissions of 5.7 tonnes per capita in Bournemouth, the target At present, a Green Infrastructure is to reduce this by 6.8% to 5.31 tonnes Framework is being developed for in 2010/11. South East Dorset with regional and local strategies to follow. In addition, the Council aims to reduce its own emissions from energy and Bournemouth 2026 transport by 5% over the next two years. Based on a carbon footprint of The Council aims Bournemouth Vision 2026 is specifi cally 27,325tCO2 for 2008/09 this means a concerned with developing sustainable to reduce its own total reduction of 1,366tCO2. lifestyles and ensuring effi cient use of resources, and a Sustainable emissions from energy Environment Action Plan has been and transport developed to identify and co-ordinate the actions being taken to by 5% over the deliver the goals. next two years. 6 Image courtesy of Bournemouth Daily Echo Adapting to Climate Change Climate change is now recognised as the greatest environmental challenge facing the planet. • More extreme weather will put • A longer growing season will increase Over the last 100 years, global temperature has increased by our local habitats and native the potential for new and novel 0.74°C, while sea level has risen by 17cm. The 12 warmest years on wildlife at greater risk, with some agricultural crops record have all occurred since 1990. marine life lost as coastal waters • New fi sh and marine life could bring become warmer about business opportunities. How will Bournemouth’s What are the • More storminess is likely to increase damage to coastal and The impact of climate change? consequences? marine habitats, as well as trees extreme weather By 2050, it is projected that • High summer temperatures will and woodlands We can already see and feel how more Bournemouth will: become more frequent, resulting in • The risk of getting food poisoning drier summers with longer droughts extreme local weather is affecting • Be warmer overall, by as much as could increase people and places in our area and 3.5°C in summer • Deaths associated with hot weather • Skin cancer could become more we need to better understand and will increase, especially amongst the • Have more stormy, wetter winters, prevalent due to increased UV light. reduce the increasing risk and impacts very young, older people and more with a 5 - 20% increase in rainfall.

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