the Carbon Challenge

Is a "nudge" enough...?

Now, before I update you on the coverage we achieved during last week's Energy Saving Week, I thought I'd quickly mention the Local Government Association climate change debate that I took part in last Wednesday (22nd October 2008).

The debate was entitled "Is a Nudge Enough? Can Climate Change be Tackled Without Government Intervention?"  Now, you may be wondering what is meant by "nudge" in this context - well, the idea stems from two economic professors (based at the University of Chicago) who proposed that rather than government telling people how to live their lives – they should look instead to encourage or “nudge” people to live that way.  You can find out more about the ‘Nudge’ theory by clicking here

With panellists including Greg Barker MP, Conservative Shadow Minister of State for Climate Change, Michael Meacher MP, former Labour Minister for the Environment and Liberal Democrat Councillor Alexis Rowell of Camden Council, the debate was lively and wide ranging. Cllr. Alexis Rowell noted that councils can do more, perhaps more than anyone, to lead in this fight, and pointed out many of the excellent examples of work being done by Camden Council in this area. I have to agree with his mantra of 'insulation, insulation, insulation' as one of the key solutions in solving climate change. It may not be the sexiest of products, but there is no point in doing the flashy stuff like solar PV, or ground source heat pumps unless a property is properly insulated.  Pleasingly - despite Greg Barker and Michael Meacher having different political persuasions they both agreed that the government needs to show leadership and be prepared to expend political capital for the good of the environment. They further agreed that we have reached the point where regulations and frameworks are not enough - actual visible, coherent and long-term action is required to really get to the heart of this global issue. Greg Barker noted that the credit crunch should be used to encourage people to work towards a solution to climate change rather than to take this agenda off the table. Questions from the floor that stirred debate included how councils could be encouraged to pursue environmentally focused ends, and what role the government and the LGA has in encouraging councils and highlighting new technologies and methods for tackling climate change. The event was a great success and attracted in excess of sixty attendees, many of whom stayed to discuss the issues raised during the debate at the reception afterwards. Of course debate and discussion won't itself cut carbon, so it is imperative that our focus remains on encouraging and promoting the actions that will help us to meet the 80 per cent CO₂ reduction target by 2050.

Oh - and you may be wondering -was there any agreement to the specific debate question "Is a nudge enough? Can Climate Change be Tackled Without Government Intervention?" Well, from my own perspective whilst government - whether nationally, or locally - needs to set an example, it is down to each of us to be responsible for ensuring that we live our lives in the most low carbon way possible. Perhaps then something a bit stronger than a "nudge" is needed! Maybe a "push" or "shove" is more in order?!

 

Where does your local authority sit on our carbon emissions index?

Just a quick post to say that we released our third Green Barometer report last week - which, for the first time, details the UK's biggest carbon wasters council-area-by-council-area and provides a model to target householders street-by-street with energy saving advice. The findings highlight which regions can save the most energy, what can be done and by whom - individuals or local authorities.

Click here to download the report.

You can also view some of the web coverage we secured by clicking on the links below:

BBC online

The Guardian online

Sky News online

Offside Rules?

Have you ever heard of the Merton Rule? As the title of this post says it's a bit like understanding the Offside Rule, but with subtleties that are even more complex! Many of you will have seen articles earlier last week, specifically in the Guardian, quoting environmental campaigners angry that there seems to be slippage on the Government's commitment to both localised and decentralised microgeneration.

Now I can understand why there is such a furore, but perhaps I am missing the point slightly. Having spent a long time inside the tent trying to negotiate a half way sensible Sustainability Code for Homes, which thankfully we now have on the books, surely rather than getting tremendously excited about Local Authority freedoms (or lack of) the answer lies in making sure developers are, in future, required to build to the six code standards outlined. This would restrict the number of permutations of various standards - a common cause for complaint by developers. And provided we see in the up-coming Planning Policy Statement on Climate Change a commitment to the Code, then the environmental lobby should be satisfied too.

The key here though is to wait not only for a strong Planning Policy Statement on Climate Change in the autumn, but also for Local Authorities to have a chance to develop their local planning policies, and for developers to begin to build to higher Code standards as a result. This will take two or three years. We don't want to take our striker off until the sub has warmed up!

Requiring developers to build to one of six standards, whilst ensuring those in Local Authorities that wish to can take forward higher performance construction within the code, surely builds up an evidence base for increasing volumes in the future and making a significant contribution to moving towards Zero Carbon Housing by 2016. Or am I just a ref who's misinterpreted the rules? If so, I'll take the weekend off!

Green for go

Three cheers to Kent County Council who from a little snippet on their web site, I have gleamed that they are about to invest £1.77 million replacing 18,000 bulbs which are currently standard incandescent bulbs with energy saving versions throughout the County’s traffic lights. 

With another hat on I have been looking for good examples of Local Authority leadership to put forward as best practice on the Local Government Climate Change Commission.  It's this sort of example I think which leads the way and should be thoroughly applauded both as an act of visible political leadership and on the basis they tell us this will pay back in less than five years and astute investment on behalf of the voting public of Kent.

Any other good ideas out there which we can organise around?