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Regional Priorities for Action
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Cover Photo
Lowering the gearbox in to the
wind turbine that stands on Mynydd
Glandulas. The turbine was installed by
Bro Dyfi Community Renewables, a
community-owned energy co-operative
that brings power, income and funding
for energy efficiency measures to the
people of the Dyfi Valley.
© Bro Dyfi Community Renewables
Low Carbon Wales
Regional Priorities for Action
Contents
Foreword 4
Executive Summary 8
1 Introduction 11
1.1 This Report 11
1.2 Climate Change – the Science 11
1.3 Climate Change – the Policy Imperative 12
1.4 The Role of the Wales Spatial Plan in the Low Carbon Transition 12
1.5 The Structure of this Report 15
1.6 The Definition of a Low Carbon Region 15
Appendices
Appendix A Our Approach to the Low Carbon Regions Project Process 0
Appendix B Examples of Low Carbon Strategies from Elsewhere in the UK 0
Appendix C Regional Priorities and Opportunities Identified within the Wales Spatial Plan
Synergising with Carbon Reduction Opportunities 0
Appendix D Mechanisms to Reduce Carbon Emissions by Sector 0
Appendix E Measuring Success Indicators by Sector 0
Acknowledgements
The Sustainable Development Commission would like to We are grateful to all organisations and individuals who
thank Natalie Grohmann, Grant Duncan and Ross Hedley have provided input, feedback and ideas throughout the
from the Wales Spatial Plan team within the Welsh process, particularly:
Assembly Government for their guidance during the
Simon Bilsborough, Eric Bowles, Andrew Charles, Climate
Low Carbon Wales: Regional Priorities for Action project.
Change Commission for Wales Commissioners, Cynnal
We are also particularly grateful to the Spatial Plan Cymru – Sustain Wales and their Transformation Nation
Area Managers: Dean Chapman, Janet Jones, Paul Jones, Partners, Keith Davies, Colin Eaketts, Ian Harris, Peter
Elizabeth Lyon, Juliet Martinez and Kenn Palmer; for Jones, Steve Lloyd, Rob McCall, Liz Mills, Craig Mitchell,
sharing their local knowledge with us and for their Havard Prosser and Gayle Wootton, as well as SDC
hard work in organising and overseeing the regional Commissioners and staff including Alice Owen, Anne
workshops. Power, Hugh Raven, Duncan Kay and Helen Eveleigh.
The preparation of this report would not have been Thank you also to all organisations who have given
possible without the valuable input of all individuals us permission to reproduce their material within the
and organisations that participated in and chaired the resource bank and to Kay West for her assistance
regional workshops. with this.
Prepared by
Gavin Bunting, Anna Kaye Jones, Hayley Richards, Stephen Brooks.
Foreword
The Sustainable Development Commission in Wales boundaries nor do we exist within one sector of
has been very pleased to be able to work with the society. Our lives cross local authority boundaries
Welsh Assembly Government’s Wales Spatial Plan and our roles change in our jobs, families and
team on this transition to low carbon strategy. communities. For those like me who live in
The Wales Spatial Plan has a key role to play in Pembrokeshire, we recognise the importance of
our vision of a sustainable Wales, as set out in the Carmarthen as a key cross-boundary settlement
new Welsh Assembly Government’s One Wales One even though it is beyond the administrative county
Planet sustainable development scheme. boundary. What is the vision for such cross-boundary
Sustainable development is essentially about places in a low carbon future?
how we live our lives – how we work, eat, play The Wales Spatial Plan approach recognises this
and contribute to our communities. Currently our dimension and provides a critical cross boundary/
lifestyles take up an unsustainable 2.7 planets’ cross sector forum for planning a sustainable future.
worth of the earth’s resources and generate vast It recognises the key patterns of development in
amounts of carbon emissions that are causing the regions of Wales, the roles of private, public and
dangerous climate change. The transition to low voluntary sectors in shaping the future. International
carbon living is now urgent if we are to avoid the and domestic experience of sustainable development
worst case climate change scenarios. Yet the lack has shown that empowering local people, local
of immediate impacts and the deferred nature of government and the private sector is a core part of
the results of our lifestyles make this a challenging any delivery strategy.
transition. This report aims to enable those partners to
The challenge of transition must focus on develop a transition to low carbon strategy for their
enabling improved quality of life in our communities regions. The process has been a stimulus for action
through making a low carbon lifestyle “citizen easy”. and has brought together resources and examples
Not all quality of life issues apply at the same spatial of action that may help partners chart a course for
level and we need to apply appropriate policies that transition.
enable low carbon lifestyles at community council,
local authority, national, UK, EU and international Peter Davies
levels. Vice Chair and Commissioner for Wales,
The Spatial Plan approach however recognises Sustainable Development Commission, November 2009
that we do not live our lives within administrative
The UK Government, Welsh Assembly Government, other devolved administrations and the Sustainable
Development Commission have agreed a common approach to assessing whether a policy is sustainable.
This approach is based on five principles which offer a definition of sustainable development, as illustrated
below.
Living within environmental limits Ensuring a strong, healthy and just society
Respecting the limits of the planet’s environment, Meeting the diverse needs of all people in existing and
resources and biodiversity – to improve our environment future communities, promoting personal wellbeing, social
and ensure that the natural resources needed for life are cohesion and inclusion, and creating equal opportunity.
unimpaired and remain so for future generations.
Achieving a sustainable economy Using sound science responsibly Promoting good governance
Building a strong, stable and sustainable Ensuring policy is developed and implemented Actively promoting effective, participative
economy which provides prosperity on the basis of strong scientific evidence, systems of governance in all levels of
and opportunities for all, and in which whilst taking into account scientific uncertainty society – engaging people’s creativity,
environmental and social costs fall on those (through the precautionary principle) as well energy and diversity.
who impose them (polluter pays), and efficient as public attitudes and values.
resource use is incentivised.
The goal of sustainable development is to of environmental limits, quality of life today, and
‘enable all people throughout the world to satisfy quality of life tomorrow, our future will be less
their basic needs and enjoy a better quality of certain and less secure. It is therefore in our own
life without compromising the quality of life of long-term interest to make sustainable development
future generations’. Unless progress is made our way of doing business, underpinning everything
toward reconciling the perceived contradictions we do. Sustainable development cannot occur
five_principles_a3.indd 1 13/11/09 17:28:24
The National Assembly for Wales originally adopted The Wales Spatial Plan has an important role
the Wales Spatial Plan, People, Places, Futures in to play in the nation’s efforts to mitigate climate
November 2004 as one of its ‘high-level strategic change and adapt to its inevitable consequences.
building blocks’, supporting its programme of It is important to recognise that the investment and
government (since 2007, the ‘One Wales’ agreement) other activities needed to cope with the challenges
and its sustainable development scheme and action of climate change also present opportunities to
plan. The Wales Spatial Plan remains one of the make progress on a range of other policy objectives,
key delivery mechanisms for the Welsh Assembly from economic development and employment
Government’s statutory duty to promote sustainable to regeneration, skills improvement and meeting
development. affordable housing needs. Effective deployment of
Like many developed nations, Wales is living the Wales Spatial Plan is essential to ensure that
way beyond its environmental limits. If every nation these opportunities are identified and pursued.
on earth were to use the proportion of resources The Wales Spatial Plan 2008 update People,
Wales does, humanity would need three planets’ Places, Futures continues to be a strategic framework
worth of resources simply to sustain itself. Climate for the development of Wales over the next 20
change is just one stark and urgent symptom of this years. Its purpose is:
unsustainable development.
To ensure that what is done in the public, private and third sectors in Wales is
integrated and sustainable, and that actions within an area support each other and
jointly move towards a shared vision for Wales and for the different parts of Wales.
It achieves this through collaborative working and the vertical and horizontal integration
of policies nationally and regionally. It sets out cross-cutting national spatial priorities.
These provide the context for the application of national and regional policies for specific
sectors, such as health, education, housing and the economy, reflecting the distinctive
characteristics of different sub-regions of Wales and their cross- border relationships.
It identifies six sub-regions in Wales without defining hard boundaries, reflecting the
different linkages involved in daily activities. In each of these Areas, local authorities,
the private and third sectors, and the Welsh Assembly Government and its agencies
are working together in Spatial Plan Area Groups to achieve the strategic vision for
that area. These agreed visions and the actions required to achieve them set out an
important regional context, both for citizen-centred service delivery and land use.4
TheWales
National
Spatial PlanVision
Areas 5
Central Wales
International/Interregional Links
Regional Links
Cross-boundary Settlements
Supporting the selection and development of new Informed by dialogue with regional stakeholders
carbon reduction activities within each region, and regional characteristics, Chapter 4 suggests
Chapter 3 recommends that each Low Carbon priority actions for each region. These include
Working Group should give early consideration to recommendations which recognise each individual
eight sectoral actions. These are: region’s carbon reduction strengths such as:
A Resource Bank underpins the guidance set to further sources of information in the built
out in the main body of this report and provides environment and energy, transport, rural
a source of reference material to inform the land use and food and waste sectors. Various
work of the WSP Area Groups as they establish mechanisms are suggested for progressing
their strategies for the transition to low carbon. or delivering solutions at a regional level, and
Based on extensive desk research and expert possible measures of success are also listed.
contributions from both wider stakeholders These measures may be used as indicators as
and across the SDC, the Resource Bank contains part of the monitoring process for regional low
detailed information on low carbon solutions, carbon strategies.
case studies, tips for replication and pointers
Climate change poses a real and significant threat Over the last one hundred years average global
to the people, places and future of Wales, but it surface temperatures have reportedly increased
also presents opportunities. Having been at the by 0.74˚C, whilst global sea levels have risen at an
forefront of the first industrial revolution, Wales – average rate of 1.8mm a year from 1961 to 2003.
with the right investment and appropriate action In its fourth assessment report, the Inter
– can be in the vanguard of the next revolution – governmental Panel on Climate Change stated
the transition to a low carbon economy. This report that ‘most of the observed increase in global average
outlines a process for moving towards ‘low carbon temperatures since the mid-20th century is very
Wales’, focusing on the actions that can be taken likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic
in different localities, according to their particular greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations”.7
challenges and strengths. It has been prepared by UK Climate Projections 20098 is the latest set of
the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) in climate change projections for the UK. Amongst the
response to the commitment in the Wales Spatial climate changes projected for Wales by 2050 are an
Plan (WSP) 2008 Update that “each Area Group average increase in annual temperatures of 2.3˚C,
will develop practical plans to move towards an average increase in winter rainfall of 14 per cent,
becoming a Low-Carbon Region”.6 The rest of this an average decrease in summer rainfall of 16 per
chapter outlines the challenge of climate change, cent and a projected sea level rise of approximately
the current policy context and the role of the Wales 20cm around Wales.9 Reducing our GHG emissions
Spatial Plan in framing the transition to low carbon now will reduce the rate and magnitude of climate
across Wales. change. Figure 1.1 graphically illustrates the size of
the task.
Figure 1.1 The scale of the challenge in reducing UK GHG emissions by 80 per cent against a 1990 baseline.10
695 Mt CO2
International aviation and shipping
(bunker fuels basis)
Domestic Transport
159 Mt CO2
Electricity Generation
In response to the now irrefutable scientific evidence, matters contained within the UK Low Carbon
there have been significant developments in policy Transition Plan are to be implemented. Using its
and legislation at European, UK and Welsh Assembly devolved powers the Welsh Assembly Government
Government levels, all impacting upon the work of has already set a number of demanding targets
Wales Spatial Plan teams. which will contribute to delivery of the overall
The European Union’s climate action and requirements for the UK. They include:
renewable energy package commits the EU to • reductions in carbon emissions of three
reducing overall emissions to at least 20 per cent per cent per year in areas of devolved
below 1990 levels by 2020. The UK government competence from 2011
has gone beyond EU targets in passing the 2008 • living within our ‘fair share’ of the earth’s
UK Climate Change Act – the world’s first long term resources within a generation (so called ‘One
legally binding framework to tackle climate change. Planet living’)
The Act introduces legally binding targets to reduce • self sufficiency in renewable electricity within
carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 26 per cent by 20 years
2020 and GHG emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 • all new buildings in Wales to be zero carbon
against a 1990 baseline. It also establishes a system in use from 2011; and
of five-yearly carbon budgets as a key mechanism • 70 per cent of all municipal waste to be
for implementation. recycled by 2025.
In July 2009 the UK Government published its
Low Carbon Transition Plan, a draft national strategy The Welsh Assembly Government’s Climate
for climate change and energy, which sets out how Change Strategy – Programme of Action
the UK Government will meet its statutory targets. consultation establishes a vision of a sustainable,
This is one of a suite of documents, including a low-carbon Wales. It also details existing and new
Renewable Energy Strategy, Low Carbon Industrial initiatives designed to reduce emissions and adapt
Strategy, Low Carbon Transport – A Greener Future, to unavoidable change across a range of policy
the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan Emissions areas, including transport, economy and business,
Projections, a consultation on Renewable Electricity housing and residential energy, agriculture and
Financial Incentives and a response to the Phase 1 land management and waste. The Programme of
consultation on the Severn Tidal Power published on Action also stresses the importance of leadership and
the same day.11 the exemplar role that public sector organisations
These documents reinforce the importance of can play.
a spatial approach to low carbon transition, for Successful implementation of these initiatives
example, the Low Carbon Industrial Strategy states across Wales requires collaborative action on the
that ‘each nation, region and locality has a particular part of the public, private and third sectors, at
set of low carbon challenges and capabilities of its every level and across geographic, sectoral and
own. Understanding these is critical to effective organisational boundaries. The Wales Spatial Plan
policy delivery’.12 provides a powerful framework for the collaborative
These recent policy initiatives will have and integrated effort needed to meet policy targets
implications for work in Wales. For the moment the and ensure compliance with the requirements of
Welsh Assembly Government is in dialogue with legislation.
the UK Government on how reserved and devolved
1.4 The Role of the Wales Spatial Plan in the Low Carbon Transition
Whilst the low carbon transition must be driven framework and delivery structure present significant
through collaboration across Assembly Government opportunities for action on emission reductions. The
departments, the WSP has a key role to play given its framework has five operational functions which have
remit for the sustainable development of services, been used to inform the recommendations for action
land use and investment. The existing Spatial Plan within this report to ensure WSP Groups centrally
2 Shapes policy: Ensures government policies 4 Informs plans: Ensures that the plans through
are sensitive to place, and responsive to which solutions are delivered, have regard to
the needs of citizens, communities and regional and national spatial priorities.
businesses in different parts of Wales. Through its role in informing plans the WSP
The Wales Spatial Plan plays an important role and its Area Groups can embed the target
as a conduit between the national and local of becoming a Low Carbon Region into all
level. It provides a mechanism to disseminate relevant strategies in the region, and identify
Welsh Assembly Government policy to the synergies between strategies. Area Groups can
regions, helping coordinate action to deliver facilitate Local Authority Local Development
on policy objectives. It also provides a process Plans and Local Service Boards’ local delivery
to deliver feedback on actions and issues to agreements, taking account of the WSP.
the Welsh Assembly Government. The WSP Area Groups can play a vital co-ordination role
should have a strategic overview of low carbon between regional strategies and plans, within
activity within the regions, enabling informed and across sectors to avoid duplication of effort
advice to the Welsh Assembly Government. and resource use.
This process can help inform Welsh Assembly
Government policy, and ensure that investment 5 Aligns investment: Ensures public investment
is aligned to the services and places where is made in the places and services where it is
it is needed the most. SDC believes that this most needed.
function should also be more widely used As alluded to above, with their unique strategic
in relation to seeking regional views on the overview, it is possible that the WSP Area
climate change related policy. Groups could advise upon the prioritisation
of resources between various local plans and
3 Ensures better engagement and governance: actions, in order to make the most progress
Provides a framework within which public, towards becoming a Low Carbon Region. The
private and third sector service providers can WSP structures have an important role to
work together to prioritise action and design play in helping to identify relevant funding.
optimum solutions. Through the ability to feed back issues to the
Many measures to reduce emissions will Welsh Assembly Government, they can help
require cross boundary, and cross portfolio align national investment towards regional low
working, to ensure successful delivery. The carbon services and infrastructure, and away
WSP is uniquely placed to facilitate this process from short-lived, high carbon services and
as not only is it able to take a strategic view, infrastructure.
The regional approach to delivery provided by will impact upon transport requirements within
the WSP is crucial to enable low carbon lifestyles. Cardiff City centre. The transition to low carbon
People live their lives and access services across will therefore need to enable the integration of
administrative boundaries. For example 75,000 infrastructure and services at a regional level.
people commute every day into Cardiff city from The Spatial Plan can play a crucial role here in
surrounding local authorities.13 As a result, housing facilitating and coordinating this cross boundary
development in a neighbouring local authority collaborative working and investment.
SDC’s Observations
As highlighted above, the WSP framework provides Secondly, there appeared to be a varied amount
a strong base to allow it to progress the transition of strategic engagement by important stakeholders
to low carbon. SDC’s dialogue with stakeholders has in the Wales Spatial Plan process. A prominent
however, highlighted where there is some room example is the preparation of some local authorities’
for improvement in the WSP process. Firstly, it was Local Development Plans in isolation to the WSP
highlighted that each WSP Area Group should process. As highlighted above, the WSP can play a
consider and clarify the role of their identified central role in coordinating relevant strategies in the
primary key settlements, hubs and cross regions. Therefore the SDC believes that there needs
boundary settlements (all definitions of places to be a dialogue between relevant departments
used in the WSP) in providing the services and within the Assembly Government and local
infrastructure for their region in the transition to authorities on how the Spatial Plan can further
low carbon. fulfil this essential strategic, coordinating role.
The WSP 2008 Update provided a commitment Supporting Appendices set out the methodology
that “each Area Group will develop practical plans for this study and provide a record of the consultations
to move towards becoming a Low-Carbon Region.” and research undertaken, including a summary of
This report provides guidance to support this action the regional workshops in Appendix A.
planning. A Resource Bank underpins the guidance set out
in the main body of this report and provides a source
Chapter 2, which follows, provides a working of reference material to inform the work of the WSP
definition of a Low Carbon Region and outlines Area Groups as they establish their strategies for the
the steps needed to set the different Spatial Plan transition to low carbon.
regions of Wales on a path towards low carbon. Based on extensive desk research and inputs from
It will be essential to construct and implement a across the SDC, the Resource Bank contains detailed
low carbon strategy/strategic plan of action for information on policy, low carbon solutions, case
each region, ‘carbon proofing’ the existing Area studies, tips for replication and pointers to further
Delivery Frameworks as part of this process. As well sources of information in the built environment
as providing a two phased approach for this activity, and energy, transport, rural land use and food and
the report suggests initial priorities for action which waste sectors. Various mechanisms are suggested
Area Groups can consider as they develop their for progressing or delivering solutions at a regional
strategies. Chapter 3 gives an overview of actions level, and possible measures of success are also
which need to be considered across the whole of listed. These measures may be used as indicators
Wales, identifying measures which are particularly as part of the monitoring process for regional low
appropriate for rural or for urban areas, highlighting carbon strategies.
actions relevant for different sectors and pointing Whilst carrying out the research for this report
to some essential cross-cutting mechanisms for there have been rapid developments in policy and
delivery. Chapter 4 identifies some specific priorities legislation along with many low carbon initiatives
for each of the six Wales Spatial Plan regions, based now being undertaken – not only elsewhere in the
on both SDC’s research and the informed opinion of UK but also across Europe and internationally – to
participants at a series of regional workshops held tackle climate change. Practitioners in Wales are not
during the preparation of this report. Chapter 5 alone in searching for solutions appropriate to their
summarises the recommendations within the localities and regions. In this fast-moving field this
report and highlights proposals for taking this work report cannot be comprehensive, but we hope it
forward. will support steps in the right direction.
The SDC defines a Low Carbon Region of Wales This definition maintains consistency with the UK
as one which has cut its CO2 emissions by 80 per Climate Change Act and ensures clarity of message
cent against a 1990 baseline. This definition was to organisations and individuals tasked with action
informed by a consultation with stakeholders within the WSP Areas. The target date of 2050 has
including expert members from across the UK of the been omitted from the definition so as to reflect
SDC’s SD Panel, and with board members, staff and concerns that providing a rigid ‘end-point’ might
the Transformation Nation Partners of Cynnal Cymru restrict or inhibit rapid progress. However, it is
– Sustain Wales.14 They were specifically asked: implicit that each Area must become a Low Carbon
‘When can a region say that it is on track to become Region by 2050.
a Low Carbon Region?’ and ‘When can a region call A WSP Area cannot be designated as a Low
itself a Low Carbon Region?’. Carbon Region until this target has been met, thus
recognising the significant progress needed to
“A Low Carbon Region can be defined as achieve this status. Prior to this, the Areas working
a Region which has cut its CO2 emissions towards the target should be described as being,
on a path ‘Towards Low Carbon’. Chapter 2 sets
by 80% against a 1990 baseline.”
out what this means in practice for the Spatial Plan
Areas of Wales.
15
References for Chapter 1
1 Sustainable Development Commission (Undated) 8 UK Climate Change Projections (2009) http://ukcp09.
www.sd-commission.org.uk/pages/our-principles.html defra.gov.uk/
2 Sustainable Development Commission (2008) Local 9 Welsh Assembly Government (2009) UKCPO9 Key
Decision Making and Sustainable Development. Messages and Findings for Wales. http://wales.gov.
www.sd-commission.org.uk/publications/downloads/ uk/topics/environmentcountryside/climate_change/
SDC_Localgov_SD_report.pdf tacklingchange/strategy/adaptation/scenarios/;jsessio
nid=J5YyKD7bMTBrncSRjThLP5SQpLNxjnlPqLmdT8kjdvvfl
3 Welsh Assembly Government (2009) One Wales: One rH9HY9v!1981341735?lang=en
Planet The Sustainable Development Scheme of the
Welsh Assembly Government. http://wales.gov.uk/ 10 Committee on Climate Change (2008) Building a
topics/sustainabledevelopment/publications/onewale low-carbon economy – the UK’s contribution to
soneplanet/;jsessionid=HLslKGDKpvCfCm2tcJb95zhJBCp tackling climate change. www.theccc.org.uk/pdf/TSO-
vDw65gvf81Td2RJX1sSvXj6yB!1922798813?lang=en ClimateChange.pdf Reproduced under the terms of the
Click-Use Licence.
4 Welsh Assembly Government (2008) People,
Places, Futures – The Wales Spatial Plan 2008. 11 See www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/publications/
http://wales.gov.uk/location/spatial/documents/ lc_trans_plan/lc_trans_plan.aspx
wsp2008update/?lang=en p 3-4.
12 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the
5 Welsh Assembly Government (2008) People, Places, Department of Energy and Climate Change (2009)
Futures – The Wales Spatial Plan 2008. Reproduced The UK Low Carbon Industrial Strategy. www.
under the terms of the Click-Use Licence. berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/sectors/lowcarbon/
lowcarbonstrategy/page50105.html p 51.
6 Welsh Assembly Government (2008) People,
Places, Futures – The Wales Spatial Plan 2008. 13 Cardiff Council (2009) The Welsh Assembly
http://wales.gov.uk/location/spatial/documents/ Government’s Sustainable Travel City Initiative:
wsp2008update/?lang=en p 28. A Proposal for the Capital Region.
Every region of Wales needs to play its part in This chapter describes the approach we
meeting the challenging targets set by governments recommend. Early sections explain the importance
for the low carbon transition. Within the broader of establishing appropriate stakeholder and working
framework of the Wales Spatial Plan, each WSP Area groups and the need for a methodology to assess
needs to determine how the Area will be managed the ‘carbon impact’ of activities and developments.
and what action will be taken, given its particular It is essential to determine whether current Area
challenges and strengths. To enable the WSP Area Delivery Frameworks are positive or negative for
Groups to take a systematic and consistent approach the path towards low carbon. New work needs to
to this work the SDC has developed a definition of be undertaken to map existing low carbon activities
a Low Carbon Region and, in consultation with the and to identify new initiatives. Later sections focus
Welsh Assembly Government and the WSP Area on ways of keeping each Area’s activities under ‘low
Groups, a phased approach for putting the different carbon’ review. Specific actions are set out in each
regions of Wales on a path ‘Towards Low Carbon’. section of the chapter.
The phased approach described in this section whose remits are particularly relevant for the
has been developed and tailored according to the transition to low carbon onto existing partnerships.
operational strengths of the WSP and is consistent The Low Carbon Working Group should usually be
with the five-part Wales Spatial Plan framework noted a sub-group of the existing Area Group, to which
earlier. It has been informed by the series of regional additional members with particular expertise (such
workshops, along with ongoing discussions with as representatives of energy agencies) can be co-
the WSP team and wider stakeholders. Importantly opted.
it capitalises upon the ability of the existing Area
Groups to bring appropriate stakeholders together. During the subsequent Delivery Phase the
In many of the actions the role of the Area Groups network of stakeholders will take ownership of the
is one of facilitation and coordination: to ensure that development and delivery of low carbon initiatives
relevant stakeholders take ownership for delivery within their region, with the Low Carbon Working
of actions most suited to their expertise, remit and Groups maintaining a strategic overview.
area of influence.
To give the label Towards Low Carbon credibility
Two phases of action are envisaged. and status, it is recommended that the different
Areas of Wales be required to demonstrate significant
The Preparatory Phase focuses on the progress towards reducing emissions on an annual
establishment of a network of stakeholders and a basis. For the moment a consistent methodology for
dedicated Low Carbon Working Group to coordinate quantifying and monitoring emissions reduction at a
and drive emissions reductions whilst ensuring spatial level is lacking. It is important to remember,
that the existing delivery mechanisms, policies however, that performance monitoring on climate-
and projects of each WSP Area – and indeed the related measures is already in place for UK local
messages in the Wales Spatial Plan as a whole – are authorities, so that broad assessments for the
compatible with a low carbon future. different WSP Areas could be derived by pooling
Each WSP Area already has an Area Group this more local information. Methodological issues
supported by a broader stakeholder partnership. surrounding monitoring are further explored later in
Rather than creating completely new structures we this chapter, in Section 2.5.
envisage the co-option of additional stakeholders
Throughout the two phase process it is expected and enable this strategy to be developed.
that each of the Low Carbon Working Groups The wider network of stakeholders will be
will take responsibility for the development, essential to success. They should be fully engaged
coordination and delivery of a low carbon in strategy development, and all stakeholders
strategy. This strategy will provide a framework should be asked to sign up to strategy delivery.
to plan projects and initiatives within each of Carbon reduction strategies already in place
the Regions, providing stakeholders with a clear in other UK regions provide an ideal source of
direction of travel so that they can play an integral reference. Some good examples are listed in
part in delivery. The actions proposed within the Appendix B.
two phases will significantly contribute towards
Low Carbon Region Strategy
Phase 1
Preparation
1 Convening stakeholders
2 Establishing a Low Carbon Working Group
3 Planning and visioning what infrastructure and services
are needed within the region to enable low carbon lives
4 Aligning Area Delivery Frameworks with low carbon
5 Initiating carbon impact appraisals for all new policies,
projects and services
6 Mapping programme
Phase 2
Delivery
Stakeholders must include the Welsh Assembly enable progress towards low carbon. They must
Government, local government (including be involved at the very beginning of the journey.
community councils), other public bodies (such The transition to a low carbon economy will
as the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), provide commercial opportunities. Businesses
the Environment Agency (EA), CADW and the need to be encouraged and supported to take
Forestry Commission), private businesses and full advantage of them. The WSP Area Groups
third sector representation from all sectors of need to have good data on the low carbon and
the economy. Government representation will environmental goods and services businesses
in particular ensure appropriate connection to (and the market for their services) in their
Wales-wide strategies, statutory requirements localities so as to be able to target them and
(for example in relation to land use planning) work with them effectively. The Central WSP
and delivery mechanisms for many low carbon Team and Area Groups should work with the
initiatives. Local authority strategies and actions Welsh Assembly Government’s Department of
will provide building blocks for Area-wide Economy and Transport (DE&T) to establish this
action to reduce emissions. Local and central information.
government estates hold significant potential for The WSP Area Group can also play an
emission reduction. As a dominant employer in important role in facilitating communication
Wales and with considerable purchasing power, between the business community and education
the public sector holds the key to considerable providers in the region, to ensure access to the
regional impetus towards low carbon. relevant skills and training.
Businesses will provide much of the Bringing business and academic
technology, services and investment needed to representatives together will enable
As highlighted previously, out of their wide network responsibility for preparing and implementing a
of low carbon stakeholders each of the Area Groups Low Carbon Region strategy.
should establish a core working group to take The Low Carbon Working Group should be made
forward the preparation and delivery of the low up of committed senior representatives from a range
carbon strategy for their region of Wales. of sectors, selected from amongst the stakeholders
Each WSP Area Group will need to consider according to the knowledge, influence, initiative,
whether they have an existing regional sub- skills and commitment they can bring to the work.
group which could be assigned responsibility For implementation of particular low carbon
for coordinating this two phase process before initiatives it may be necessary to form delivery
establishing a new group. groups. These would be headed by a member (or
While an existing environment sub-group may members) of the Low Carbon Working Group, bringing
appear to be the ‘obvious’ choice for this role, strong in relevant members of the wider stakeholder
consideration should be given to the name applied network. It may be that individual stakeholder
to the group taking this work forward. Climate organisations can offer financial or staff resources
change is as much a social or economic problem to enable delivery. Other stakeholders may take
as it is environmental and assigning responsibility responsibility for leading a particular action.
for preparing and delivering a Low Carbon Region Maintaining channels of communication with the
strategy to an environment group may convey the wider stakeholders in the region will be a critical
impression to some stakeholders that the strategy function of a region’s Low Carbon Working Group.
is purely environmental in scope and intention. The group should be a conduit for information, a
Where an environment sub-group is the best means facilitator/convenor and a coordinator. It should
of taking this forward, consideration should be maintain a strategic overview, enabling the
given to renaming as a Low Carbon Working Group prioritisation of resources and the identification of
to more effectively reflect its new priorities. gaps and interventions. It will also be crucial for
Each Spatial Plan region will need to adopt the Low Carbon Working Group to engage and work
an architecture that best suits existing regional with existing delivery bodies such as Local Service
structures, but for the remaining of this document Boards (LSBs) and Regional Transport Consortia
the term ‘Low Carbon Working Group’ will be used (RTCs), to ensure concerted co-ordinated action on
to refer to that group at regional level which has carbon reduction.
The Wales Spatial Plan provides the broad framework carbon lifestyles.
for considering where in Wales development can To enable the regional Low Carbon Working
and should happen. It is the ideal framework for Groups to build upon and add value to the output
deciding what infrastructure and services are needed of the workshops, the following elements are
in different localities to enable them to become suggested for inclusion within Low Carbon Region
Low Carbon Regions in which citizens can lead low- visions:
impact lifestyles and businesses can minimise their • Low carbon zones that deliver focused
carbon footprints. action on the energy efficient refurbishment
The outcome of implementing spatial plans is of existing buildings and on local
directly related to individuals‘ experience of living microgeneration
in the area. It is therefore important for spatial plans • Low carbon energy generated at individual,
to recognise the lives that people have within the community and large scales for local use
spatial plan area. This is especially important when • Low carbon electricity that feeds into
addressing the transformation of lifestyles required the national grid as part of the region’s
if Wales is to flourish in a low carbon economy. Thus, contribution to a low carbon UK
Inclusion of “low carbon lifestyle” information in the • Accessible hubs that deliver local services
spatial plans would help in engaging a wider range and economic facilities
of people in the spatial planning process than is • Low carbon regional economic centres or
usually possible. gateways with higher education facilities,
The regional Low Carbon Working Groups should clusters of low carbon business innovation
undertake a visioning process with stakeholders to and rail links to key economic centres
ascertain what they want their region to look like • Recharge, battery exchange and refill points
when an 80% reduction in carbon emissions has for electric and biofuel vehicles including
been achieved. This process was initiated with the private cars, public transport, light and heavy
participants at the regional workshops, with the goods vehicles
results for each region illustrated in chapter 4 along • Transport infrastructure that provides
with SDC’s analysis of each region’s low carbon pedestrian and public transport orientated
priorities and opportunities. The visioning process routes including cycling and walking networks
will shape a shared aim, from which the region can and reallocated road space
look back and identify the essential delivery steps • Ubiquitous high speed broadband coverage
along the way. It should therefore be a starting and access alongside a strategy that
point for planning the infrastructure, services and maximises its capacity to enable low
behavioural change stimuli needed to enable low carbon working
The Low Carbon Working Groups and stakeholder across all regions of Wales (the use of Strategic
partnerships need to ensure that the objective to Environmental Assessment (SEA)15 guidance in this
become a Low Carbon Region is embedded into all process should be considered).
relevant strategies and that these strategies provide This review should enable each region to
for actions which will help to meet this objective identify whether each of the actions within the
rather than acting as barriers to its achievement. current Area Delivery Frameworks are locking the
Setting the precedent at a regional level, it is region into a high or low carbon future. The result
important that all current and planned WSP work of which should be to direct resources away from
streams are conducive to a low carbon future. short-lived, high carbon services and infrastructure
A crucial action on the path “Towards Low Carbon” towards those which enable low carbon living. It is
is therefore, to align the regions’ Area Delivery however recognised that it will not always be easy
Frameworks with a low carbon future. to define whether specific actions are conducive to
Once developed, the Carbon Impact Appraisal a low carbon future, with further evidence needed
tool can be used in this process. In the interim the to make an informed decision. We realise that as
SDC recommends that the Assembly’s Spatial Plan the Area Groups own the Area Delivery Frameworks,
Team instigates a process to enable a rapid review only they can amend them. This highlights the
of Area Delivery Frameworks, using a common importance of getting the buy in of the stakeholders
methodology so as to achieve a consistent approach represented on the Area Groups.
To enable the evaluation of the carbon impact of assessment of implications of the impact of climate
existing and planned infrastructure and service change’ and ‘will mainstream the use of these tools
provision within the regions, as currently set out in into [the] policy and programme development
the Area Delivery Frameworks, SDC recommends that process’. The Welsh Assembly Government needs
the Welsh Assembly Government initiates carbon to ensure that, if this tool is developed, it meets
impact appraisals for all new policies, projects and the requirements of the regions and that it is
services. subsequently used in all regional policies, projects
The Climate Change Strategy – Programme of and services.
Action consultation16 states that the Welsh Assembly It should be noted that in view of the urgent
Government will ‘identify and disseminate standard need to make progress it is important that low
tools and guidance to enable assessment of the carbon initiatives are not delayed until this tool is
carbon impact of policies and programmes and an developed and implemented.
The SDC’s research and dialogue with stakeholders measures (opportunity mapping) – discussed in
has identified the need for good quality information section 2.3.7.
so as to prioritise low carbon actions and resources To inform the selection of targeted actions
effectively. There is a need both to gather information for emissions reductions, working groups and
on existing low carbon actions – discussed in this other stakeholders must understand the current
section – and to identify opportunities for new low carbon landscape within the region, through
Opportunity mapping is seen as an essential element • Areas most suitable for renewable energy
of spatial planning for Low Carbon Regions. It can generation (see resource bank – Built
be used to create multi layered maps to enable the Environment and Energy section 6)
coordination and prioritisation of projects and to • Land potential for food growing
guide resource allocation • Waste heat resources
At the regional workshops held during this study, (see resource bank – Waste section 4.3.1).
participants identified the following information as
essential in this regard: The process of opportunity mapping may be
• Energy efficiency of the existing housing outside the scope and resources of the WSP Area
stock (see resource bank – Built Environment Groups, but much of this evidence-gathering
and Energy section 5.2) activity is already taking place through initiatives at
• Soil carbon stores (see resource bank – a national and local level, such as the Networked
Rural Land Use and Food section 4.4) Environmental Regions project.18 The Low Carbon
• Arable land Working Groups and the WSP Area Groups, with
their extensive cross portfolio network of contacts,
are ideally placed to collate this evidence from
WSP Central and Area Teams, Low Carbon Working Groups and DESH
• Work with stakeholders in the regions to • Work with stakeholders to collate and
ascertain the evidence needed to guide disseminate the information highlighted
and coordinate projects, for example: above
– Energy efficiency of the existing • Use the information generated to guide
housing stock and coordinate low carbon projects in
– Soil carbon stores the regions.
– Arable land
– Areas most suitable for renewable
energy generation
– Land potential for food growing
– Waste heat resources
Following the Preparatory Phase, the WSP Area a framework to plan new projects and initiatives.
Groups should progress to selecting and initiating The Delivery Phase, managed by the Low Carbon
targeted actions to reduce emissions. The creation Working Group, focuses on the formulation and
of a low carbon strategy for the region will provide delivery of the strategy.
It is envisaged that the information gathered by organisations within the WSP regions.
through the mapping programme will enable the This should help to ensure that the infrastructure
Welsh Assembly Government and the Low Carbon and the services provided within the WSP Areas
Working Groups in the different regions to maintain enable low carbon living. Appendix C demonstrates
a strategic view of current and planned low carbon how carbon reduction opportunities can synergise
activity across Wales. This should enable them to with and help to deliver on other priorities.
play an important role in guiding and coordinating Bearing in mind the role of the Wales Spatial
low carbon activities, identifying gaps, opportunities, Plan as a conduit for information between the Welsh
synergies, the potential for collaborative working, Assembly Government and the different regions of
and ensuring that public investment is aligned to Wales, it is important to keep abreast of low carbon
the services and places that need it the most. activity within the regions, enabling informed
The Low Carbon Working Groups and wider feedback to the Welsh Assembly Government,
stakeholders should use their influence to advocate especially on requirements for public investment.
for the Low Carbon Region target to be embedded Greater use should be made of the WSP Area
into all relevant strategies (e.g. LDPs, Community Groups in seeking regional views on policy relating
Strategies, Regional Transport Plans etc.) prepared to climate change.
Many of the measures which can reduce carbon It is proposed that the Welsh Assembly
emissions are not new, and have been successfully Government sets up a formal process for sharing best
implemented in isolated pockets throughout Wales. practice for low carbon initiatives. This could involve
Participants at the Low Carbon Region workshops a series of seminars or workshops, secondment of
considered it important to have a process in place a representative from a successful project to the
for sharing and disseminating good practice, and WSP team/DESH with a remit to drive through/
the lessons learnt from existing initiatives. Mapping roll out similar projects in Wales, and/or partnering
current low carbon activity within a region and with regions outside Wales which are also pursuing
exploration of the case studies highlighted in the low carbon agenda. Experienced delivery
the Resource Bank section of this report, are the organisations such as the Energy Saving Trust and
first steps towards delivery of this low carbon the Carbon Trust should be actively involved in
information sharing process. Sharing of best practice seminars and workshops.
should enable similar low carbon projects to be
mainstreamed or fast tracked throughout Wales.
WSP Central, Area Teams and Department for Environment, Sustainability and Housing
• Develop a process to share and • Second key personnel from successful low
disseminate low carbon good practice, carbon projects to the WSP or DESH teams
and the lessons learnt from existing low to take responsibility for driving through
carbon initiatives through for example similar projects throughout Wales
workshops, seminars, low carbon • Seek to establish partnerships with Low
champions Carbon Regions outside of Wales.
Many of the actions already undertaken within in text boxes entitled ‘Mechanisms to Reduce
the Preparation and Delivery phases, including Carbon Emissions’. For easy reference, these sets of
back casting to identify infrastructure and services mechanisms are collated in Appendix D.
needed, mapping current carbon reduction activity In later parts of this main text, Chapter 3 includes
and replicating or expanding existing good practice, top priorities for action distilled from this Resource
will have identified areas for further action. Much Bank. To supplement these generic priorities,
of the remainder of this report provides supporting Chapter 4 provides some proposals tailored to the
information to guide and inform the selection of characteristics and requirements of the different
priority emission reduction projects and initiatives. regions of Wales.
As a source of ideas for effective activities to The Low Carbon Working Groups will need to
reduce emissions, the SDC has developed a Resource establish timescales and identify lead organisations
Bank of low carbon solutions, delivery mechanisms or delivery groups and the funding and skills
and case studies addressing the key sectors of built resources needed to implement proposed actions.
environment, energy, transport, rural land use, food Chapter 3 includes a brief consideration of a
and waste. For each sector low carbon solutions and range of cross-cutting delivery mechanisms.
opportunities at a regional level are summarised
National initiatives for carbon reduction are clearly fields of interest and, if so, how to engage with
relevant for progressing the low carbon agenda them in order to access the experience, knowledge
at a regional level. During the selection of priority and possible links to funds that such a relationship
actions, Low Carbon Working Groups should consider could offer. An example of such a national initiative
whether there are national initiatives acting in their is the Low/Zero Carbon Hub Wales (see opposite).
The Low/Zero Carbon Hub Wales was set up to Integral to this work has been the
help coordinate progress towards the Assembly establishment of the ‘Coalition of the Willing’,
Government’s zero carbon new build aspiration a cross sector network committed to sharing
from 2011 and the delivery of the three per cent knowledge, removing barriers and collaborating
per annum reduction in carbon emissions from on research and development to take the zero
the existing housing stock. carbon energy efficiency agenda forward within
The Hub is a private/public/voluntary sector Wales. Over 50 organisations have now signed
partnership, with a Steering Group, directing the up to a Green Building Charter, signifying their
activities within the following work streams: commitment to support progress towards a
built environment that contributes low or zero
• Existing Homes Alliance Wales
net carbon emissions as quickly as practically
• Skills and training possible. This Charter is the first of its kind in
• Industry engagement the UK and is enabling collaborative action to
• Supply chain and innovation tackle emissions from the built environment.
The companies signing the Charter now have the
• Consumer engagement
confidence that they will not be acting alone or
• Policy against the grain.
The stakeholders in each of the WSP Areas will need success of a project. Setting ambitious targets before
to report periodically on progress against agreed ensuring that structures for monitoring and delivery
targets and deadlines. It is important at the progress are in place is unlikely to be helpful and may even
reporting stage to share successes and failures and be de-motivating. Setting conservative targets
identify barriers to progress so that this can inform fails to instil a sense of purpose or demonstrate
future projects. Review of progress will enable leadership and to differentiate an organisation from
objectives, targets and timelines to be updated as its competitors.
appropriate. In order to set targets and monitor progress each
Whilst target setting in itself does not represent WSP Area must work from a recorded baseline of
a key success factor, it is often integral to the overall emissions at a fixed point in time.
Measuring emission reductions will be necessary to more data, often not readily available. In selecting
enable progress reporting against the 80 per cent the most appropriate evaluation procedure there is
Low Carbon Region reduction target. The Welsh a trade-off between the degree of accuracy required
Assembly Government should work to establish a and the time and resources available to collect
monitoring programme for carbon emissions in the the necessary evidence. Also, when combining
six Wales Spatial Plan Areas. information from different sectors and localities,
Approaches to quantifying carbon emissions there is a need for a common approach to ensure
can be either top-down, utilising national data and compatibility of the information.
applying it regionally, or bottom-up, aggregating Given the need for urgent action on emission
sector-specific and local data. It is generally accepted reductions, it is important that the process of
that the bottom-up approach provides a more developing and implementing a satisfactory
accurate assessment and can be used more readily quantitative assessment methodology does not
to determine the impact of individual measures. impede progress on the development and delivery
However, this approach also requires considerably of low carbon strategies in the regions of Wales.
mits Low Carbon Working Groups and other Areas are already collecting data which will inform
a stakeholders will need to collect initial baseline indicator development. A method of data collection
ric data on these indicators and monitor targets against on these indicators will need to be agreed amongst
them. It may be that local authorities, LSBs, RTCs relevant stakeholders.
and other organisations within the different WSP
he
Chapter 1 described the importance of the Wales and the Spatial Plan Area Managers who participated
Spatial Plan in enabling the ‘low carbon transition’ in regional workshops and in meetings while the
in Wales and outlined the organisational framework research was in progress. We have sought to tailor
associated with the Plan. This chapter has described the guidance to the operational strengths of the
a phased approach to the development of low Spatial Plan and its Area Groups.
carbon strategies in the different regions of Wales Having established the approach, the following
which has been designed to fit with this established two chapters focus on the content – that is on the
framework. Figure 2.2 below illustrates this. sorts of initiatives that are increasingly going to be
Equally important, this approach has been needed across Wales to secure the shift towards low
developed in cooperation with regional stakeholders carbon.
Produces
Shapes Policy
Evidence Work with businesses
Integration and
coordination of projects
Convenes relevant
Informing stakeholders/decision
Plans makers
Key
SDC recommended
action
33
References for Chapter 2
15 Strategic Environmental Assessment is a formal 22 Carbon Trust (2008) Low Carbon Cities Baseline Tool
environmental assessment of policies, plans and www.lowcarboncities.co.uk/cms/baseline-tool/
programmes which are likely to have significant
environmental effects. See http://wales.gov.uk/ 23 Camden Council (2008) Delivering a Sustainable
topics/environmentcountryside/consmanagement/ Camden, London Borough of Camden’s Environmental
sea/?lang=en Sustainability Delivery Plan 2008-2012. https://www.
camden.gov.uk/ccm/content/environment/policies-
16 Welsh Assembly Government (2009) reports-and-data/delivering-a-sustainable-camden-
Climate change strategy – Programme of delivery-plan-2008-2012.en;jsessionid=C85BE4982ED0C
action consultation. http://wales.gov.uk/ 46175E3F87703B1EB85.node2
consultations/environmentandcountryside/
climatechangeaction/?lang=en p 16. 24 Sustainable Development Commission (2009) Local
Sustainable Development Lens: Final Proposal
17 BBC News Online, First liquid gas delivery in port, Overview Paper. www.sd-commission.org.uk/
(March 2009) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/ publications.php?id=880
south_west/7952415.stm
25 Local Government Data Unit – Wales (2009) National
18 Welsh Assembly Government Spatial Plan Unit and Performance Indicator Guidance for Wales 2009-10.
the Countryside Council for Wales (2008) Framework www.dataunitwales.gov.uk/NPI.asp?cat=289
for the South East Wales Networked Environmental
Region. 26 Camden Council (2008) Delivering a Sustainable
Camden, London Borough of Camden’s Environmental
19 AEA compiles the UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory on Sustainability Delivery Plan 2008-2012. https://www.
behalf of the UK Department of Energy and Climate camden.gov.uk/ccm/content/environment/policies-
Change. See www.ghgi.org.uk/index.html. reports-and-data/delivering-a-sustainable-camden-
delivery-plan-2008-2012.en;jsessionid=C85BE4982ED0C
20 See www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/ 46175E3F87703B1EB85.node2 p.19.
globatmos/galocalghg.htmfor the 2005 and 2006
datasets.
21 See www.sd-commission.org.uk/publications.
php?cats=yes&cat_id=2 for d-CARB-uk Project
Publications.
All-Wales
Low Carbon Solutions
Sustainable Development Commission Low Carbon Wales 35
3.1 Aims of this Chapter
The construction of this report, notably the Resource of the WSP Areas should consider these at an early
Bank, has generated a portfolio of low carbon stage in their work and establish how these lines of
solutions to be drawn upon by the Spatial Plan Area action can be taken forward in their own regions.
Groups in the development and execution of their Cross cutting mechanisms for delivery – some of
low carbon strategies. the essential policy tools available to stakeholders
To facilitate the strategy building process, and in in the regions and relevant to all sectors – are
particular the identification of priorities for action in then briefly reviewed. The WSP Area Groups need
each of the regions of Wales, this chapter provides to ensure that all available measures are used to
an indication – based on sound evidence and secure the solutions which are so necessary for
existing good practice – of the kinds of action likely progressing the low carbon agenda.
to be most effective in achieving rapid reductions in The Consultation on the Climate Change Strategy
CO2 emissions. for Wales27 sets out climate change objectives and
The first section provides some background actions for delivery on a national level, and further
statistics on the potential for emissions reduction by work is underway to identify actions that offer
sector and activity. We then briefly review some of the greatest scope for cost effective emissions
the specific measures appropriate to the rural and abatement. The high level solutions identified in
then the urban areas of Wales. this chapter are a starting point, complementing the
At the heart of the chapter is a section setting proposals within the Climate Change Strategy for
out eight key solutions across a range of sectors – Wales; they, along with the detailed information in
what we consider to be the high level priorities for the Resource Bank, provide the Low Carbon Working
action – distilled from the Resource Bank, in which Groups with potential high impact solutions for
there is much more information on each approach. emissions reduction.
The Low Carbon Working Group established in each
Data on emission reduction potential can of course • Up to 0.4 MtCO2 emissions reduction from
industry through energy efficiency and new
help to identify what actions will potentially have the
energy sources
biggest impact. As chapter 2.5 indicated, however,
there are significant difficulties in establishing the • Up to 1 MtCO2 emissions reduction potential
emissions reduction likely to result from individual from domestic road transport through supply
projects and initiatives. Identifying potential side measures (i.e. by improving the carbon
efficiency of transport without changing
emissions savings for each suggested carbon
either the total level of transport demand or
reducing measure is beyond the scope of this report.
the balance between different modes).
However, some national figures are available. These
are reproduced below as an indication of where WSP • Up to 0.1 MtCO2e from livestock, up to 0.4
Area Groups might place the greatest initial effort. Mt CO2e from crops and soils and 0.06 MtCO2
from forestry through measures including
As part of its report Building a Low Carbon
methane reduction from livestock and
Economy – the UK’s contribution to tackling
increasing the number of trees
climate change the Committee on Climate Change
disaggregated UK data to give an estimate of • Up to 0.3 MtCO2e from waste through
emission abatement potential in each nation. directing waste away from landfill to
energy producing processes
For Wales estimates of emission reduction
potential in 2020 include: • Approximately 0.39 MtCO2e from industrial
processes and energy related non-CO2
• Up to 2 Million tonnes of Carbon Dioxide emissions.28
(MtCO2) feasible emissions reduction from
existing buildings through energy efficiency The need to tackle emissions from existing
and new energy sources buildings stands out as a priority for action.
Table 3.1 Total potential emissions savings through personal actions in Wales30
Each of the regions of Wales has extensive rural building stock, the difficulty of implementing
areas in which the transition to low carbon presents sustainable transport and accessibility solutions
particular challenges and opportunities. where communities are remote or the population
Key issues to consider are the presence of older, widely dispersed, and the presence of broadband
harder to treat homes which pose challenges for ‘not spots’ and low speed internet connections
the energy efficient refurbishment of the existing which limit opportunities for displacing travel.
ICT – An Example of How Transition to Low Carbon Can Deliver Economic and Social Benefit
Addressing broadband ‘not spots’ and low speed social benefits. This action plan should address
connections will support both home working and issues such as how to communicate the economic
home business establishment and allow remote case for ICT as a replacement for travel and the
communication and service delivery. Whilst all of need for advice on the tax and legal implications
the above have the potential for travel related of home business start up. Realising the potential
emission reduction; working from home can benefit of improved broadband coverage and
also provide quality of life benefits, increase accessibility is particularly important in the
workforce satisfaction and financial savings transition of heavily rural regions to low carbon.
through reduced office space requirements. BT’s home working policy provides one
Furthermore, increased home working can help example of how using ICT as a replacement for
sustain local businesses and services, with home travel can deliver benefits on multiple objectives.
business establishment helping diversify local 16% of BT’s UK employees are full time home
economies. Live/work facilities alongside hub workers. Amongst the benefits communicated
facilities (meeting space/networking space/ by BT are:
hot desk facilities) have greater potential • Commuter CO2 emissions reduced by
than conventional home working for carbon 97,000 tonnes
savings. For all employers, using video and • Increase in staff satisfaction by 50%
teleconferencing presents opportunities to save • Increased staff productivity and retention
on travel expenses and eliminate staff down • Reduced office property requirements to
time. the value of £500 million.31
It is essential that any regional strategy to
improve broadband accessibility is supplemented See Resource Bank – Transport section 4.1.3
by an action plan to maximise the potential to for further information on the benefits and
enable low carbon working and economic and implementation of ICT solutions.
The WSP Area Groups can tackle these rural Particular opportunities for rural areas in the
challenges by collaborating with national and transition to low carbon include the fact that many
local stakeholders to develop tailored solutions. rural communities and farms are well-suited to
For example, they might engage with the Low/ providing local and community energy. The very
Zero Carbon Hub Wales and Existing Homes Alliance rural WSP Areas should seek to capitalise upon
Wales to develop initiatives to refurbish hard to this asset by ensuring that support and advice is
treat homes, preferably using traditional or locally- available for the development of community and
sourced materials, supporting local craftspeople and farm energy installations. Many rural areas also
generally working closely with existing organisations have the benefit of land availability; this could
active at the local level such as Care & Repair. enable them to act as a core driver for region wide
Engagement with RTCs and Sustrans to deliver local, sustainable food production and consumption.
strategic demand-responsive transport from rural Promotion of community-supported agriculture,
villages to key employment hubs such as business local food procurement through the public sector
parks presents another opportunity. Initiatives and local diet programmes all present opportunities
should clearly build on the very long tradition of to support the rural agriculture economy.
self-help familiar to those living and working in rural
communities, and it will be essential to involve the
Community Councils in these efforts.
Urban, densely populated and industrialised of waste heat from industry to local communities.
areas also pose a distinct set of challenges and See chapter 2.3.1 for further information on
opportunities in the transition to low carbon. engaging with business.
Density of population may present difficulties in Within urban locations there are also opportunities
terms of transport, development pressure for low to be seized in the transition to low carbon. Specifically:
cost housing and meeting demand for local food dense populations will help to ensure the viability
production. Within regional low carbon strategies, of local services such as public transport; the co-
these challenges can be tackled through tailored location of homes, jobs and services; concentrated
approaches such as an emphasis on smarter population centres present opportunities for focused
choices travel campaigns; support for employees area based behavioural change campaigns e.g.
of businesses and public sector which are located individualised travel marketing and travel planning;
close together to share lifts and reduce individual the fabric of the built environment in urban areas
journeys; support for local authorities to create including high density housing and the presence of
guidance for developers on producing homes of flats supports a zoned approach to energy efficient
a high energy efficiency standard at a low cost; refurbishment and presents opportunities for district
support for local planning authorities to require and heating; concentrated populations will also ensure
oversee sustainable developments through e.g. demand for re-use networks and provide volumes
ensuring co-location; support for local authorities of clustered feedstock to support local energy from
to ensure maximum urban provision of land for waste facilities. Solutions such as park and share
food growing including allotments, community and facilities, freight consolidation centres, industrial
rooftop gardens in new housing developments. symbiosis and use of waste industrial heat may also
The Low Carbon Working Groups should also be particularly applicable to urban areas. Improving
consider the contribution of industrial emissions energy efficiency in homes, businesses and industry
within their region. Whilst tackling emissions from stands out as a priority for reducing emissions in
industry is very much the role of the Carbon Trust, urban areas, which will also deliver simultaneous
it will be important for the Low Carbon Working benefits for the wellbeing of communities and the
Groups to engage with industry in their region with a competitiveness of business and industry.
view to gaining support for the development Low Carbon Working Groups should also recognise
and delivery of the region’s low carbon strategy. the importance of supporting local planning
This channel of communication would also enable authorities to deliver green urban infrastructure.
the Working Groups to act as a conduit to provide This includes not only consideration such as co-
information to the Welsh Assembly Government location, connection to public transport routes and
on the support needed by industry to reduce nodes but also the creation of multi functional spaces
emissions and increase resource efficiency. Engaging e.g. green corridors for walkers and cyclists linking
with industry in this way may enable potential residential developments to services whilst also
opportunities to be identified such as the supply containing tress for urban carbon sequestration.
This chapter identifies two high level actions for early these actions for early consideration, with a role
consideration in each of the sectors addressed within ranging from simply convening the relevant
the resource bank. We suggest that these generic stakeholders to leading the initiative. As previously
early considerations could provide focal action for stressed, collaborative action between government,
the Low Carbon Region strategies, supplemented the private sector and communities is essential in
by region specific actions from chapter 4 and others achieving significant change; therefore the role
selected from the resource bank. of each of the three should be considered in the
It is intended that the Low Carbon Working delivery of any carbon reduction action.
Groups established will lead on the delivery of
The built environment, in construction and in use, Low Carbon Working Groups should work with
is a significant contributor to UK CO2 emissions. renewable energy developers, communities and
Domestic energy use alone contributes 27% to UK landowners to ensure renewable energy projects are
CO2 emissions,32 whilst the Carbon Trust attributes developed according to sustainable development
almost another 1/5th of UK carbon emissions to non principles, whilst ensuring community benefit.
domestic buildings. Housing is responsible for 1.3
global hectares (gha33) per capita of the 5.1 gha per Rationale for prioritisation:
capita average eco footprint across the Spatial Plan 1 The existing stock will continue to make up
regions of Wales.34 approximately 80% of the built environment
For each region, developing its potential to in 2050. Of the 1.3 million homes in Wales
generate low carbon electricity to feed into the only a small percentage are fully fitted with
national grid and contribute to a low carbon UK, energy efficiency measures.35
will be a key element of transition (see Resource 2 Domestic energy use alone contributes 27%
Bank – Built Environment and Energy section 6). to UK CO2 emissions. The Energy Saving Trust’s
Decarbonising the electricity supply through large Power in Numbers report36 demonstrated
scale renewable energy installations will impact that distributed energy on a community
upon the emission reductions possible from all scale reduces costs and increases CO2 savings
sectors, including maximising emission reduction compared to individual microgeneration
in the transport sector through the shift to electric installation.
and hybrid vehicles. Ensuring public engagement
as part of low carbon strategy development could See Resource Bank – Built Environment and
provide an important tool for allaying objections to Energy for policy, background statistic, further
renewable energy developments within the region. carbon reduction opportunities and case studies.
SDC’s top two solutions for early consideration for reducing emissions from the built environment
and energy sectors at a regional level are:
Refer to
Priority Essential Preparatory Steps Resource Bank
3.4.2 Transport
Personal mobility and the transport of goods form Rationale for prioritisation:
the basis of everyday life and subsequently produce 1 & 2 Whilst reducing the need to travel is at the
16.2% of total CO2 emissions in Wales.37 Road top of the hierarchy in terms of emission
transport is the principal contributor to transport reductions from transport, this must
emissions, with personal travel by car responsible largely be addressed through planning,
for 63% of this.38 Wales’ low population density, as demonstrated by the cross cutting
topographical variations, and isolated rural and priorities. It is recognised that the distance
coastal populations pose challenges in the provision travelled per person per year is increasing,
of viable, frequent and direct public transport therefore encouraging more sustainable
services, and subsequently result in car dependency. travel is essential. Experts believe that a
The transport of goods accounts for 33.4% of Welsh complementary programme of both hard and
road transport emissions.39 soft measures is needed to change travel
The SDC recommends a hierarchical approach to behaviour. Personalised travel planning has
achieving a sustainable transport system: been shown to be a very cost effective way
of reducing transport emissions, with the
1 Measures to reduce demand Department for Transport estimating that
2 Measures to shift to more sustainable / more a ‘Smarter Choices’ programme would cost
space efficient modes (e.g. cycling, walking, minus £74.20 net per tonne of CO2 saved
public transport). This may include improving (where the minus indicates that it is a net
facilities for cycling and walking benefit).40
3 Measures to promote more efficient use of
existing modes (e.g. car sharing, measures to
See Resource Bank – Transport for policy,
increase load factors on public transport)
background statistic, further carbon reduction
4 Measures to increase capacity for powered
opportunities and case studies.
transport (only once 1-3 have been
exhausted).
Refer to
Priority Essential Preparatory Steps Resource Bank
In 2005 agriculture accounted for 11% of total green See Resource Bank – Rural Land Use and Food for
house gas emissions in Wales.41 Agriculture is the policy, background statistic, further carbon reduction
largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions from opportunities and case studies.
food consumed in the UK. Through sequestration,
land use, land use change and forestry were found
to be a net sink in 2005.42
Refer to
Priority Essential Preparatory Steps Resource Bank
3.4.4 Waste
In 2004 the waste sector in Wales contributed 0.9 2 The average UK household purchases over
MtCO2 equivalent (or 2%) of the total emissions (41.8 2.5 tonnes of materials each year.46
MtCO2 equivalent) for Wales.44 In comparison, for The prevention of waste has the highest
the same year, methane emissions from the waste potential for GHG emissions reductions from
sector in Wales contributed 18.8% of the national the waste sector.
total; 95% of waste sector methane emissions were
from landfill. See Resource Bank – Waste for policy, background
statistic, further carbon reduction opportunities and
Rationale for prioritisation: case studies.
1 Research suggests that it would be feasible
to reduce emissions in the waste sector by at
least 80% by 2050, with anaerobic digestion
and mechanical biological treatment
accounting for 75% of this total.45
Refer to
Priority Essential Preparatory Steps Resource Bank
2 • Low Carbon Working Group to engage with the waste Waste section
Significantly groups established under the regional waste plans 4.1
progressing e.g. North Wales Waste Treatment Project
sustainable production • Area Groups and Low Carbon Working Groups
and consumption for in conjunction with the above groups to set a
waste prevention and framework at the regional level to reflect the need
minimisation for the sustainable use of natural resources
• Low Carbon Working Groups to engage across sectors
See Case Study W1 –
including manufacturing, food, construction
Waste Minimisation in
UK Department for Work • Low Carbon Working Group to work with relevant
and Pensions stakeholders such as Value Wales to provide support
to local authorities and the wider public sector to
progress waste minimisation through procurement
• Low Carbon Working Groups and wider stakeholders
to initiate a food waste minimisation campaign.
The SDC has identified four mechanisms which specific actions. The SDC recognises that some of
are key to delivery of emission reductions; cutting these mechanisms are already utilised and acted
across the sectors of built environment and energy, upon through the Wales Spatial Plan framework,
transport, rural land use and food, and waste. but stresses the importance of expanding existing
These should underpin the delivery of sector practice to deliver carbon reduction.
The public sector possesses the important role of The £4bn plus47 procurement budget of the
leading by example, demonstrating the benefits public sector in Wales, is a powerful tool to help
of adopting many of the measures outline in the drive and establish markets for the products
resource bank and providing the infrastructure to and services required to become a Low Carbon
enable the transition to a low carbon economy. Region. Procurement must be undertaken based
The SDC stresses that the land use planning system low carbon principles is essential. Any working
is central to the successful transition to a low carbon group established to take forward the creation and
future. The crucial role of planning has also been implementation of a regional low carbon strategy
strongly emphasised throughout the workshop should respond to LDP consultations and ensure
process and is a recurring theme in the resource that their regional Ministerial group is using its high
bank. level influence to ensure the sustainability of local
There is both a legislative obligation (through regeneration programmes, such as the recently
the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 announced regeneration programme along the
(section 60) that LDPs have regard to; and a policy North Wales coast. Critical considerations for new
requirement (through ‘Planning Policy Wales’, the development and regeneration are the ease of access
Welsh Assembly Government’s principal statement between homes, jobs, services and retail which can
of national policy) that requires LDPs to reflect the be addressed by co-location, mixed development
policy goals of the Wales Spatial Plan. and public transport accessibility. The importance
While the specific levers involved in the planning of this approach to planning is highlighted in the
process rest with local authorities, WSP Area Groups Wales Spatial Plan update, and as such, WSP Area
do have important powers to both influence and Groups are critical in ensuring this is echoed at a
support constituent local authorities; ensuring that local authority level.
LDPs and local regeneration programmes incorporate
A zoned approach involves tackling an area at a the measures to be implemented. Adopting this
time when seeking to implement measures to zoned approach can enable economies of scale,
reduce carbon emission in the regions. For example, businesses to gear up, diversify their operations and
refurbishing thousands of homes within fuel train staff to meet the demand created. The Heads
poor parts of a local authority to improve energy of the Valleys low carbon programme currently
efficiency would constitute a zoned approach. under development, is an example of the potential
The size of the zone will depend upon the scale benefits of a zoned approach to carbon reduction:
at which the widest benefits are achieved for
The SDC believes that a zoned approach should WSP), in providing the services and infrastructure
involve action on reducing emissions from all for a Low Carbon Region. The creation of low carbon
sectors i.e. considering reducing emissions in the zones within these key settlements, or upon localities
built environment, transport, waste, land use and with existing successful sustainability initiatives,
food as one holistic package, enabling synergies would serve to raise awareness and lead progress
between them to be identified. For example, towards regional carbon reductions. Suggested
the work undertaken within Cardiff to become a possible examples include: the Dyfi Biosphere in
sustainable travel city could be complemented by Central Wales – where low carbon initiatives such
energy efficient housing refurbishments, increased as community renewable energy and sustainable
provision of community food growing land and a tourism are already proliferating; and as discussed,
waste minimisation campaign to maximise public expanding upon Cardiff’s sustainable travel town
awareness and momentum towards low carbon. status.
The ability of a zone based approach to carbon In the recent UK Low Carbon Industrial Strategy48
reduction to showcase best practice and catalyse the UK government committed to developing Low
sustainable projects and initiatives elsewhere has Carbon Economic Areas (LCEAs). These will be created
been demonstrated through the transition towns to take advantage of and build upon the low carbon
movement and the Heads of the Valleys refurbishment economic strengths of selected geographic areas.
work. Building upon SDC’s observations in chapters Within these areas local and regional partnerships
1.4 and 2.3.3, the creation of low carbon zones in will be created across agencies to increase
each region should be considered in context of the learning and develop supply chains for low carbon
role of primary key settlements, hubs and cross technologies. The first LCEA will be located in the
boundary settlements, (all terminologies used in the South West where focus will be on developing
Organisations must be able to access the relevant methods or practices, as well as maximising
skills base and knowledge to make informed decisions the commercial viability and minimising the
and implement low carbon measures. In order to environmental impact of current technologies.49
meet overall requirements for one planet living and It is therefore important for the WSP Area Group
stay competitive on an international scale, it will be to analyse, in partnership with the DCELLS and
essential to be innovative and realise that, for many other relevant stakeholders, the skills, training
innovations, more information will be required. and technology needs to enable them to meet the
For example, research and development (R&D) objectives set out in their low carbon strategies/
is needed to identify more efficient technologies, plans.
This chapter has highlighted some key solutions for be used in a complimentary way to achieve effective
reducing emissions at a regional level, along with outcomes. Figure 3.1, overleaf, illustrates the cross
cross cutting mechanisms for delivery which are cutting mechanisms and the sector priorities.
key to driving through low carbon projects in any Supplementing these Wales wide priorities
sector or region. The cross cutting mechanisms and and opportunities, the next chapter provides some
all available policy tools (such as compliance with suggested priority areas for action specific to each
existing legal instruments and fiscal measures) must region.
Built
Rural Land
Environment Transport Waste
Use and Food
and Energy
Leading by example
1 1 1 1
Procurement/
region.
2
Implement a
Skills, training
2 comprehensive 2
and R&D
27 Welsh Assembly Government (2009) 36 Energy Saving Trust (2008) Power in numbers. The
Climate change strategy – Programme of benefits and potential of distributed energy at the
action consultation. http://wales.gov.uk/ small community scale. Full Report. Energy Saving
consultations/environmentandcountryside/ Trust: London.
climatechangeaction/?lang=en
37 Welsh Assembly Government (2008) Stats Wales, State
28 Committee on Climate Change (2008) Building a low- of the Environment – Indicator 7a. www.statswales.
economy – the UK’s contribution to tackling climate wales.gov.uk/tableviewer/document.aspx?FileId=1610
change. www.theccc.org.uk/reports/building-a-low-
carbon-economy p 442 - 449. See the full report for 38 Welsh Assembly Government (2008) One Wales:
underlying assumptions and discussion on the capacity Connecting the Nation, The Wales Transport Strategy.
to deliver. http://wales.gov.uk/topics/transport/publications/tra
nsportstrategy/;jsessionid=2RKhJ2TTnJZXnNlt5VsxjMfhl2
29 Please see the report for the underlying assumptions lNBJ6L1kQy4YlLxgvNX5YN2nnB!1116311810?lang=en
that shaped these estimated savings potential figures.
39 Welsh Assembly Government (2008) Stats Wales, State
30 Source: Compiled using data from the Energy Saving of the Environment - Indicator 7a. www.statswales.
Trust (2009) Low carbon citizens. A step by step guide wales.gov.uk/tableviewer/document.aspx?FileId=1610
to meeting the 3% target for personal emissions in
Wales. www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/corporate/ 40 Department for Transport (2009) Impact Assessment
Global-Data/Publications/Low-Carbon-Citizens-Wales of the Carbon Reduction Strategy for Transport, Low
p 26-28. Carbon Transport: A Greener Future. www.dft.gov.uk/
pgr/sustainable/carbonreduction/ia.pdf
31 Smith Institute (various authors) (2008) Can
Homeworking Save the Planet? The Smith Institute: 41 AEA Energy and Environment (2007) Greenhouse Gas
London. Inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland: 1990 – 2005. AEA Group: Didcot.
32 Energy Saving Trust (2006) Integrating renewable
energy into existing housing – case studies. EST: 42 Energy and Environment (2008) Policy Options
London. Development & Appraisal for Reducing GHG Emissions
in Wales. AEA Group: Didcot.
33 The Stockholm Environment Institute defines the
ecological footprint as “an indicator of the total 43 See each region’s carbon footprint in chapter 4.
environmental burden that we place on the planet.
It represents the area of land needed to provide 44 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
raw materials, energy and food, as well as absorb (2006) Greenhouse Gas Inventories for England,
pollution and waste created – in this case by the Welsh Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: 1990-2004.
population.” The ecological footprint is expressed in CESA Division Research Programme.
global hectares per capita (gha/ capita).
See Stockholm Environmental Institute (2008) Wales’ 45 Committee on Climate Change (2008): Building a low
Ecological Footprint – Scenarios to 2020. www.sei.se/ carbon economy – the UKs contribution to tackling
publications.html?task=view&catid=6&id=1055 climate change. The First Report of the Committee on
Climate Change.
34 Stockholm Environment Institute. Footprint Data.
http://resource-accounting.org.uk/downloads/wales/ 46 World Wildlife Fund (2006): Ecological budget UK.
wales Counting Consumption Report. www.wwf.org.uk/
filelibrary/pdf/countingconsumption.pdf
35 Stockholm Environmental Institute (2008) Wales’
Ecological Footprint – Scenarios to 2020. www.sei.se/
publications.html?task=view&catid=6&id=1055
4
Ty-Mawr, is naturally breathable
so absorbs and releases water
vapour to keep the building cool
in summer and warm in winter.
Photo: Ty-Mawr Lime Ltd. and
Brecon Road Infant School.
Making a Start
in the Regions
This chapter provides information tailored to each region which should supplement the common
information given in chapter 3 to enable the construction of regional low carbon strategies.
For each region, this chapter contains:
• Carbon Footprint – compiled using 2003 data development of the Resource Bank and was
by Spatial Plan Area provided by the SEI. informed by the characteristics of the region
as detailed in the WSP 2008 Update.
• Visioning – a summary of recurring words This analysis also includes the solutions
and themes from the low carbon visioning prioritised as being high impact during
session held in the regional workshops. the regional workshop, based on the local
This is a first step towards developing a low knowledge of individuals present. It should
carbon vision for the region. The visioning be recognised that these priorities reflect the
section in chapter 2.3.3 will help to add value opinions of those present at the workshop and
to this exercise through giving consideration to should not be taken as definitive but rather
infrastructure requirements and how sectoral used as an informative guide in the regional
visions can complement each other. prioritisation of low carbon solutions.
Appendix C demonstrates how carbon
• Analysis of the region’s Priorities and reduction opportunities can synergise with
Opportunities – a commentary on priority and help to deliver on the regions’ other
low carbon solutions and opportunities priorities (as set out in the WSP 2008 Update),
based on the region’s unique attributes and helping to enable cross strategy working.
characteristics. This was developed through
dialogue with stakeholders from the region, See Appendix A for a full account of the workshop
through the research which led to the sessions.
Transport
3.0 Housing
3.8
Food
1.1
Other 0.1
0.4
Consumer Capital
Public
Items Investment
0.7 Services
1.4
Private 1.6
Services
• Resurgence of co-operatives
• Reuse/recycle
• Re-wetted uplands/peat
for carbon sequestration
Natural
Environment • More indigenous forests
• Green infrastructure
planning – competing
Central Wales
53
Analysis of the Region’s Priorities and Opportunities
The prize for Central Wales will be a low carbon for reducing transport emissions) and a relative low
transition that provides a high quality of life and level of new build implies a focus on enhancing
provides employment opportunities, within a the sustainability of the existing built environment
superb environment. The SDC believes that the key (see resource bank – Built Environment and Energy
to this transition lies in building on the Region’s section 5). The availability of land is seen as a
rural and environmental strengths, specifically the key strength for promoting “grow your own” and
protection of soil carbon stores (the Region has enabling local food production and consumption
some of the highest carbon density soils in Wales50) (see resource bank Rural Land Use and Food section
and the generation of low carbon electricity (three 4.3).
of the eight strategic search areas for onshore The protection of soil carbon stores and the
wind, indentified by the Welsh Assembly generation of low carbon electricity are not new
Government’s Technical Advisory Note (TAN) 8 are to the Central Wales Region, indeed the Wales
wholly within the Region51). Spatial Plan Update 2008 provides a commitment to
The dispersed nature of the population continues manage and develop both of these respectively.
to be major challenge within the Region (especially
a) Collating accurate maps on soil carbon stores b) Convening landowners and relevant
is an essential first step to identifying priority stakeholders for the protection of soil carbon
areas for protection. This exercise will enable is a crucial function for the Low Carbon
stakeholders to be brought together and Working Group or delivery group. Joint
should draw upon existing expertise within development of funding bids and projects
the Region such as the Institute of Biological, for protection of soil carbon should provide
Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) at opportunities to support the existing rural
Aberystwyth University economy, whilst providing opportunities for
the development of sustainable tourism.
c) Supporting the research, development d) Working with business and higher and
and deployment of both carbon sink and further education institutions within the
renewable technologies within research Region will enable the renewable technology
institutions and businesses in the Region such related skills requirement to be identified
as the Centre for Alternative Technology and and delivered. This approach will also help
Aberystwyth University. This could attract to tackle the Region’s challenge of linking
inward investment, generating knowledge vocational options with current and future
based business clusters. opportunities within the local economy,
meeting the needs of business.
In addition, the Region’s Low Carbon Working Group may also wish to consider the priorities which
arose from the Regional workshop:
• ICT connectivity was a recurring theme • Both biogas fuelled public transport and
amongst solutions deemed high impact procurement of hybrid or electric vehicles
including the provision of ICT connectivity as (initially by the public sector to stimulate
standard in new developments; expansion of demand) were deemed high impact given
broadband connectivity; and ICT support. the need for travel between dispersed
populations and services in Central Wales.
• The group expanded discussion on the • The Area Group was felt to have an important
mapping of soil carbon, expressing the need role in the collation of these layers and
for a multi layered Regional land use map ensuring their use in influencing the delivery
incorporating renewable energy potential, of projects and developments.
soil carbon, areas likely to flood, areas with
highest food growing potential etc. to provide
an integrated and comprehensive guide for
land use in Central Wales.
Transport
2.8 Housing
3.8
Food
1.1
Other 0.1
Consumer 0.4
Public Capital
Items Investment
1.3 0.7 Services
Private 1.6
Services
As a Region that seeks to harness economic bank – Built Environment and Energy section 5).
opportunities on both sides of the border, while Delivering energy efficiency improvements presents
reducing inequalities and improving the quality of its simultaneous opportunities for reducing CO2
natural and physical assets, a low carbon transition emissions, improving the wellbeing of communities
in North East Wales will need to take a multi-faceted and maintaining the competitiveness of business
or mixed approached, paying particular attention to and industry.
the differing needs of its rural and urban areas. For rural parts of the Region in particular, action
With its large industrial and manufacturing on transport will deliver benefits; with a combination
employment base, improving energy efficiency of measures that firstly aims to reduce demand, and
within homes, businesses and industries represent secondly provide a modal shift into more sustainable,
significant opportunities for the Region to contribute low-carbon modes of transport (see resource bank –
towards a low carbon Wales (see resource Transport sections 4.1 and 4.2).
Low Carbon
North East
} Self sufficient
communities
Food • More people growing
their own food
• Food is grown locally
Transport
• Long distance electric cars for rural areas
• Cycling and walking increase
Housing
• Integrated, multi modal public transport
57
The SDC recommends early consideration is given to:
• Although perceived to be very difficult to • Within this, upgrading public sector buildings,
achieve some essential, easier preparatory university and NHS buildings was deemed to
measures were identified including thermal be high impact due to the large number of
mapping and energy auditing of the existing public sector buildings in the North.
stock, mapping of fuel poor households and
incentivising the use of existing efficient
buildings as “open house” educational tools
Transport
Housing
2.9
3.9
Food
1.1
Other 0.1
Consumer 0.4
Public Capital
Items Investment
1.3 0.7 Services
Private 1.6
Services
The high-quality natural and physical environment practical barriers that need to be addressed and
in North West Wales, together with a vision of a overcome. The issue of mobility, both in the Region,
strong cultural and knowledge-based economy that and to and from other regions remains a significant
enhances the Region’s distinctive character, presents challenge. Low carbon solutions such as car pooling,
particular low-carbon opportunities. will, in this heavily rural Region, have a very limited
The tapestry of community types in the Region affect, and therefore innovative solutions, such as
including clusters of towns, rural settlements and reducing the need to travel through improved ICT
tourism centres calls for a multi faceted approach provision should be explored closely. Creating new
to carbon reduction policies and projects. The green jobs as part of a strong environmental goods
protection of soil carbon stores and the generation and services sector in the Region is an important
of low carbon electricity stand out as being the most opportunity for economic regeneration. A further
significant contributions the North West Region can economic opportunity lies in tackling the issue of
make towards a low carbon Wales. Some of the local produce being exported from the Region with
highest carbon density soils in Wales are located in value being added elsewhere.
the North West.52 With significant tidal current and In compiling this report, the SDC identified
wind resource, the development of Anglesey as an numerous examples of good practice in the Region,
energy island and expertise at Bangor University, including the work of Gwynedd LSB on carbon
the Region holds great potential for renewable reduction and the numerous soil carbon restoration
energy development. This is echoed in the 2008 projects underway on Anglesey and in Snowdonia
WSP update, where protecting upland habitat to National Park. The emerging Anglesey energy island
ensure it can function as a significant carbon sink concept is seen by many stakeholders, both within
and developing renewable energy are highlighted and outside the Region, as an important delivery
as opportunities or priorities for action. vehicle for low carbon energy generation in the
The Region does, however face a number of North West.
Low Carbon
North West
} Self sufficient
communities
• More people growing
Food
their own food
• Food is grown locally
Transport
• Long distance electric cars for rural areas
• Cycling and walking increase
Housing
• Integrated, multi modal public transport
61
The SDC recommends early consideration is given to:
d) Supporting the research, development principles and the benefit to existing rural
and deployment of both carbon sink and economies and communities is maximised.
renewable technologies within research The benefit of supporting community energy
institutions and businesses in the Region projects should be considered, building upon
such as Bangor University and Anglesey the strong sense of community within the
Wind and Energy Ltd, to attract inward North West Region.
investment, enabling the development of
the environmental goods and services sector g) Engaging with large infrastructure projects
whilst contributing towards the Region’s such as the possible new Wylfa nuclear power
outward-looking knowledge based economy. station to ensure maximum carbon reduction
and sustainability benefit. The development
e) Working with business and higher and further of a new nuclear power station at Wylfa
education institutions within the Region to would create 3-4000 jobs in its construction
identify the renewable technology related phase over a 10 year period. Ideas were
skills requirements. This will ensure that for generated at the North Wales workshop about
the renewable energy sector, the Region how to integrate low carbon opportunities
achieves its aim of a strong innovative into this project. This included; requirements
network of vocational skills provision, with for all companies involved (throughout the
the capacity to respond to demand from supply chain) in its construction and operation
employers. to demonstrate sustainability principles are
embedded into their business operations,
f) Working with renewable energy developers, and the new houses built for the workers
communities and landowners to develop should be built to the highest environmental
renewable energy projects within the Region. standards. Interestingly, other parts of the UK
It is essential that these are developed are developing plans to support low carbon
according to sustainable development clusters around new nuclear build sites.
In addition, the Region’s Low Carbon Working Group may also wish to consider the priorities which
arose from the Regional workshop:
• Although perceived to be very difficult to • Within this, upgrading public sector buildings,
achieve some essential, easier preparatory university and NHS buildings was deemed to
measures were identified including thermal be high impact due to the large number of
mapping and energy auditing of the existing public sector buildings in the North.
stock, mapping of fuel poor households and
incentivising the use of existing efficient
buildings as “open house” educational tools.
Transport
Housing
2.9
3.9
Food
1.1
Other 0.1
Consumer 0.4
Public Capital
Items Investment
1.3 0.7 Services
Private 1.6
Services
The Region’s unique environment, its maritime up to 2014/15 (one of the few areas of the economy
access, and its international importance both as expected to maintain positive growth rates through
a tourism destination but also a home of energy the economic downturn).53
generation provide unique opportunities and Key Regional factors that need to be addressed
challenges for the Region. include the high concentration of older buildings
Pembrokeshire-Haven’s strategy in the WSP 2008 posing challenges for refurbishment; the requirement
update identified building sustainable communities for regular rural public transport services despite
as the central core around which its strategy needs to low concentrations of demand, calling for tailored
circulate. The SDC supports this view and understands and specialist service provision; and opportunities in
how the perceived peripheral nature of the Region, agriculture, particularly improving local food supply
together with its rural and urban deprivation, are and demand.
significant factors that need to be addressed as part The potential importance of tidal energy,
of this agenda. The SDC proposes that development given the high tidal stream flow rates surrounding
of the Region’s three strategic hubs provide the Pembrokeshire, and the skills base in the Region, are
infrastructure and services needed to enable the important opportunities that should be exploited.
transition of the Region to a low carbon economy, There are some good examples of successful low
enabling both citizens of the Region and tourists carbon projects in the Region such as co-operative
to lead low carbon lives in Pembrokeshire. Allied wind farms, district heating and the exemplar
to this is the development of a resilient economy work of Carmarthenshire LSB on enhancing the
that builds on the opportunities provided by the sustainability of the county. It is essential that the
LNG terminal and enables the diversification of learning from these informs future low carbon
the economy towards the sustainable technologies projects throughout Wales.
sector which is predicted to grow by 4% per annum
Low Carbon
Pembrokeshire
• Local production and distribution
• People grow their own – forest
Food
gardens/community gardens
and community farming
• Less waste
• Reduced meat consumption
Transport
65
The SDC recommends early consideration is given to:
a) Building on Pembrokeshire’s status as a UK b) Working with the oil and gas industry in
Energy Centre and ascertaining how it can Pembrokeshire to ensure they are part of
be at the forefront of renewable energy in the low carbon solution for the Region.
the UK. This should include for example, Opportunities could include: innovative
investigating how the deep water harbour collaborative partnerships with small and
could be used as a facility for the offshore medium enterprises (SMEs), encouraging
wind turbines, marine energy infrastructure low carbon spin out ventures from the
and biomass imports. This work should corporates to be based in Pembrokeshire
be undertaken in close collaboration and maximising the potential for low
with the private sector to ascertain what carbon projects tying in with the companies’
infrastructure and skills would be needed corporate social responsibility policies.
to create a renewable energy cluster within Technium Pembrokeshire is ideally suited
Pembrokeshire. to facilitate the development of these
innovative, high-tech partnerships.
4 Agricultural anaerobic digestion and the provision of reuse facilities at household waste sites
(Resource bank – Waste sections 4.3.1 and 4.1.3)
Transport
Housing
2.7
3.7
Food
1.1
Other 0.1
Consumer 0.4
Public Capital
Items
Investment
1.3 0.7 Services
Private 1.6
Services
The vision of South East Wales is a one of a living city will be an essential building block to enable this.
Region that provides a high quality natural and built This would also present an opportunity to promote
environment, complemented by high quality green the benefits of resource efficiency in general to the
space, promoting, healthy, strong communities Region’s businesses. The potential development of
and a strong civic culture. Within this, the need to tidal power technology in the Severn Estuary presents
develop South East Wales as a networked city Region significant economic development opportunities
via investment in fully integrated high quality, for the Region. This economic development must
high capacity public transport systems linking key adhere to sustainability principles and enable the
settlements to the cities of Cardiff and Newport, is transition to a low carbon future.
seen as a key factor towards successful delivery. Workshop discussions highlighted the importance
The 75,000 people that commute everyday into of addressing the carbon and sustainability
Cardiff54 highlights the importance of developing a implications of proposed and planned new
sustainable travel infrastructure to not only enable developments within the Region, whether this is
the Region to reduce its carbon emissions but to new housing, commercial property or large scale
also maintain the competitiveness of businesses developments such as tidal energy from the Severn
based within the Region and spread economic Estuary.
development beyond the Capital. For this reason Public sector procurement is seen as a significant
the SDC proposes that tackling transport emissions opportunity for progressing the low carbon agenda
should be a key strand for the Region to address, to in the South East. Good progress is being made in
enable progress towards a low carbon Wales. This the Region on refurbishing and upgrading public
is not new to the South East Wales Region and the sector buildings, Cardiff Carbon Lite project being
sustainable transport measures highlighted within one such example.
the WSP 2008 update and the good work being led Importantly there is a high degree of commitment
by Cardiff council to make the city a ‘Sustainable and enthusiasm for furthering the low carbon
Travel City’ are welcome. The engagement and agenda within the Region, which can be used to
collaboration with businesses within the Region motivate action across the board.
Society
• Clean energy generation
Economy
• Carbon sequestration
Natural • Integrated/connected/
Environment cared for/protected
• Water resource management
and protection
Low Carbon
South East
• Seasonal, local food
• Less waste
Food
• Production changes –
less fertiliser, more allotments
• Consumption changes –
full life cycle analyses of food
reflected in cost and sourcing
Transport
• Less travel/effective planning
• Comprehensive, uniform public
Housing transport system
• Zero emission vehicles
• Modal shift – less road more rail
• All housing and new builds are
energy efficient and as close to
zero carbon as possible
• Community scale and
microgeneration
69
The SDC recommends early consideration is given to:
a) In the first instance identifying ways in which e) Integrating public transport with cycling
to minimise the demand for travel, such as and walking and ensuring that all public
through the promotion of teleworking and transport services interconnect as seamlessly
facilities for ‘work hubs’ across the Region and conveniently as possible. Park and ride
so that people don’t have to commute into facilities should be designed with cyclists
Cardiff every day. in mind and should be accessible by high
quality, safe cycle routes.
b) Developing “area wide travel plans” so that
employees of businesses which are located f) Ensuring that new business developments
close together can share lifts and reduce such as the International Business Park
individual journeys. The use of ‘transport enable employees to travel to work via
brokerages’ to co-ordinate the transport sustainable means, i.e. cycling, walking and
needs of commuters can further promote public transport.
the use of public transport for employees at
business parks. g) Economic development plans associated with
potential tidal power technologies in the
c) Working with the businesses community to Severn Estuary to adhere to sustainability
enable their employees to minimise the need principles and enable the transition to a low
for travel, and utilising sustainable transport carbon future.
modes to promote resource efficiency more
generally. Encouraging the use of audio and
video conferencing to replace face to face
meetings can not only reduce congestion but
reduce business costs and increase employee
satisfaction.
3 Promoting behavioural change on a low environmental impact diet and food waste
(Resource bank – Rural Land Use and Food section 4.3 and Waste section 4.8)
Transport Housing
2.7 3.8
Food
1.1
Other 0.1
Consumer 0.4
Public Capital
Items
Investment
1.3 0.7 Services
Private 1.6
Services
The importance of further developing the knowledge sustainable economic growth will be those that
economy stands out as a key strand of the plans develop a low carbon concept into a commercial
for the Region. The knowledge economy will play product or service.56 This highlights the importance
a critical role in developing innovative solutions, of initiatives such as the Technium network and the
both technological and institutional, in dealing proposed Science Park in enabling the journey from
with the challenges that climate change poses for concept through to successful commercialisation.
society. The Swansea Bay Region therefore has a The contention surrounding potential high
unique opportunity not only to be at the forefront impact projects such as the Swansea Bay tidal
of this endeavour through utilising the expertise lagoon and the biomass plant in SA1 highlight the
within its research-led universities and high-tech importance of a considered process of engagement
knowledge based companies, but also to provide with communities and other stakeholders in the
the infrastructure and services to enable sustainable, transitions to a low carbon future. The commitment
low carbon living for its citizens. of Carmarthenshire LSB to sustainability has been
As outlined in the UK Low Carbon Industrial highlighted as an exemplar project within the
Strategy, the low carbon innovations that drive Region.
Low Carbon
Swansea Bay
Transport
• Electric vehicles are common
73
The SDC recommends early consideration is given to:
a) Supporting the research, development and c) The Region seeking to identify how the
demonstration of low carbon technologies, knowledge economy skills such as law,
both within the research institutions and business, finance, marketing communications,
businesses within the Region. This support creative industries and management can
should seek to identify infrastructure be developed to integrate sustainable
requirements that could enable this. development principles and how they can
be used to develop a low carbon economy.
b) The development of the innovation park to For example innovative, evidenced based
lead by example, with the park built to the communication techniques will be needed
highest sustainability standards, enabling the to encourage the citizens of Wales to move
research institutions and businesses located towards a low carbon, sustainable lifestyle.
there to operate in a way consistent with a
low carbon future. d) The ICT infrastructure to enhance the Region’s
national and international connectivity
through the use of state of the art video-
conference hubs available to all businesses,
and flexible home working hubs (incorporating
meeting space and hot desk facilities).
In addition, the Region’s Low Carbon Working Group may also wish to consider the priorities which arose from
the Regional workshop:
• Discussions within the group repeatedly efficiency measures. The group suggested
highlighted the potential high impact of the that this could be expanded to sustainability
creation of a network of volunteer energy advisors – championing energy efficiency,
efficiency advisors. These advisors would renewable energy, growing your own food,
provide advice at a local level, encouraging etc. The Home Energy Service active in Mid
individual householders to implement energy Wales was proposed as a replicable model.
• Although deemed to have the highest • It was felt that the WSP Area Group should
potential impact the group felt that the WSP identify its sphere of influence over
Area Group should be asking for soil carbon landowners and play a facilitation role in
mapping to be delivered at a national level bringing landowners together to discuss and
and be made available to the WSP to guide deliver woodland planting on mineral soils;
planning and direct projects this would be informed by the soil carbon
map.
47 See “Soil Carbon Density per 1km in Wales” map 52 Department for Transport (2009) Impact Assessment
in Bradley, R.I., Milne, R., Bell, J., Lilly, A., Jordan, of the Carbon Reduction Strategy for Transport, Low
C. and Higgins, A. (2005) A Soil Carbon and Land Carbon Transport: A Greener Future. www.dft.gov.uk/
Use Database for the United Kingdom. Soil Use and pgr/sustainable/carbonreduction/ia.pdf
Management, 21 (4), 363-9.
53 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the
48 Welsh Assembly Government (2005) Planning Department of Energy and Climate Change (2009)
Policy Wales Technical Advice Note 8: Planning for The UK Low Carbon Industrial Strategy. www.
Renewable Energy. http://wales.gov.uk/topics/ berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/sectors/lowcarbon/
planning/policy/tans/tan8/?lang=en lowcarbonstrategy/page50105.html
49 See “Soil Carbon Density per 1km in Wales” map 54 Cardiff Council (2009) The Welsh Assembly
in Bradley, R.I., Milne, R., Bell, J., Lilly, A., Jordan, Government’s Sustainable Travel City Initiative:
C. and Higgins, A. (2005) A Soil Carbon and Land A Proposal for the Capital Region.
Use Database for the United Kingdom. Soil Use and
Management, 21 (4), 363-9. 55 Department for Transport (2009) Impact Assessment
of the Carbon Reduction Strategy for Transport, Low
50 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Carbon Transport: A Greener Future. www.dft.gov.uk/
Department of Energy and Climate Change (2009) pgr/sustainable/carbonreduction/ia.pdf
The UK Low Carbon Industrial Strategy.
www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/sectors/lowcarbon/ 56 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the
lowcarbonstrategy/page50105.html Department of Energy and Climate Change (2009) The
UK Low Carbon Industrial Strategy. www.berr.gov.uk/
51 Cardiff Council (2009) The Welsh Assembly whatwedo/sectors/lowcarbon/lowcarbonstrategy/
Government’s Sustainable Travel City Initiative: page50105.html
A Proposal for the Capital Region.
• Harness its low carbon strengths such as • Provide ubiquitous high speed broadband
renewable energy resources and existing coverage and access alongside a strategy to
expertise maximise its capacity to enable low carbon
working
• Establish low carbon zones that can deliver
focused action on the energy efficient • Protect soil carbon stores
refurbishment of existing buildings and on
local microgeneration • Produce a variety of local food products to
supply local needs
• Generate low carbon energy at individual,
community and large scales for local use • Minimise waste and capitalise upon the
remainder through energy from waste e.g.
• Develop its potential to generate low carbon anaerobic digestion and industrial symbiosis
electricity to feed into the national grid as
part of the region’s contribution to a low • Provide the information, advice and support
carbon UK needed to engage and encourage people to
live low carbon lives
• Ensure accessible hubs to deliver local
services and economic facilities • Build the skills base needed for transition
to low carbon through the education and
• Develop low carbon regional economic training systems, prioritising key sectors
centres or gateways with higher education such as sustainable construction and
facilities, clusters of low carbon business microgeneration
innovation and rail links to key economic
centres • Reduce carbon leakage through strong
resource efficient local enterprises backed by
• Provide recharge, battery exchange and refill local purchasing
points for electric and biofuelled vehicles
including private cars, public transport, light • Partner with other regions in the UK and EU
and heavy goods vehicles with similar characteristics to share learning
and enable fast and effective knowledge
• Design and renew transport infrastructure transfer.
to provide pedestrian and public transport
orientated routes including cycle and walking
networks and reallocated road space
Next Steps
This report provides the guidance and tools needed each of the Ministerial Area Group meetings in each
to enable the WSP teams to develop and deliver region. The aim of these launch events will be to
carbon reduction strategies for the six WSP regions generate local interest and activity, recognising
of Wales. The workshops held as part of the process the unique attributes and opportunities for each
of developing this report were the first step for region. Capitalising upon this impetus and following
concerted action by government, the private, public the process set out in the report, the WSP Groups
and third sectors at a regional level. The SDC will centrally and regionally must now capture the
support the WSP and its groups in taking forward enthusiasm, expertise and commitment of their
this process. Following the launch of this report, wider stakeholders to set the regions on a path
SDC plans to hold a briefing for Area Managers, ‘Towards Low Carbon’.
followed by separate launch events coinciding with
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Scotland
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Northern Ireland
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