http://www.climate-em.org.uk/ Climate East Midlands Resources en alex.hopkinson@emcouncils.gov.uk Copyright 2012 2012-04-26T10:48:23+00:00 http://www.climate-em.org.uk/resources/item/building-business-resilience-in-the-midlands/ http://www.climate-em.org.uk/resources/item/building-business-resilience-in-the-midlands/#When:09:48:23Z Climate East Midlands, with our counterparts Sustainability West Midlands, have completed a survey of SMEs across the Midlands. The survey is part of an Environment Agency-funded project to build business resilience to climate change. The survey aimed to establish: how businesses have been impacted by extreme weather events, whether businesses have considered the potential impacts of extreme weather events, what action businesses have taken to adapt to extreme weather events, and what additional support businesses need to help them to adapt. Adaptation, Publications 2012-04-26T09:48:23+00:00 http://www.climate-em.org.uk/resources/item/planning-for-climate-change-new-national-guidance/ http://www.climate-em.org.uk/resources/item/planning-for-climate-change-new-national-guidance/#When:09:12:41Z This new national guidance, published on 25/4/2012 by the Town and Country Planning Asociation on behalf of the Planning and Climate Change Coalition guidance updates the earlier guide published in 2010 which itself was based on the draft Planning Policy Statement (PPS) on climate and energy, Planning for a Low Carbon Future in a Changing Climate, published in March 2010. The guidance has been developed to reflect the Localism Act and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) through cross-sector dialogue, using the wide-ranging expertise of the Planning and Climate Change Coalition. The Guide is divided into two parts; Part 1 sets the context on climate change, Part 2 offers a set of principles and good practice guidance which local authorities and communities may find helpful in preparing their plans and implementing them through development management. The new guide is supported and sponsored by Climate UK, the national network of climate change partnerships which includes Climate East Midlands.   Adaptation, Mitigation, Planning, Publications 2012-04-26T09:12:41+00:00 http://www.climate-em.org.uk/resources/item/climate-disadvantage-what-are-the-social-impacts-of-climate-change/ http://www.climate-em.org.uk/resources/item/climate-disadvantage-what-are-the-social-impacts-of-climate-change/#When:11:02:19Z This event provided a unique opportunity for 50 local stakeholders to consider how climate impacts like flooding and heatwaves will affect the most vulnerable people in particular communities. The event was held on 16th April 2012 in Loughborough. It was organised by Leicestershire County, Leicester City and Rutland County Councils, and was supported and facilitated by Climate East Midlands. Katharine Knox, Programme Manager at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, gave an overview of the JRF's work on social justice and climate change. Prof John O'Neill, Hallsworth Chair in Political Economy at the University of Manchester, explained what is meant by "social vulnerability" to climate change. Dr Sarah Lindley, Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester, firstly explained the work done to map social vulnerability to climate change as part of a JRF-commissioned study, and then presented detailed case studies focusing on specific locations in Leicestershire and Leicester. Mike Peverill, Climate Change Coordinator, Climate East Midlands, gave a scene-setting presentation introducing the climate change projections, the headline findings from the UK Climate Change Risk Assessment, and an overview of progress to date to build resilience to climate change in Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland. The presentations are available to download here, apart from Dr Sarah Lindley's case studies presentation, which is available on request. Please contact alex.hopkinson@emcouncils.gov.uk See also the Joseph Rowntree Foundation's microsite on climate change and social justice, and in particular their report on Climate Change, Justice and Vulnerability. Adaptation, Presentations 2012-04-25T11:02:19+00:00 http://www.climate-em.org.uk/resources/item/power-to-the-people-event-resources/ http://www.climate-em.org.uk/resources/item/power-to-the-people-event-resources/#When:08:01:03Z A concluding half day event for the Community Skills for Climate Change project was held on Saturday 17th March in Langley Mill, hosted by Groundwork, who managed the whole project on behalf of Climate East Midlands. Around 40 people took part, including members of the eight community projects that received small grants to undertake action. The downloads below are the agenda and the presentations given on the day by Graham Truscott from the Transition Network, Sustainable Hayfield, Fossil Fuel to Pedal Power (Chesterfield), Jon Harton who designed the Planning for Climate Change website, Mick McGrath from Big Lottery Fund and Climate East Midlands. Skills Programme, Community Skills 2012-03-28T08:01:03+00:00 http://www.climate-em.org.uk/resources/item/score-saving-energy-in-schools/ http://www.climate-em.org.uk/resources/item/score-saving-energy-in-schools/#When:14:40:54Z The SCoRE pilot developed a series of toolkits that were trialled. As a result, the Carbon Trust have developed, and are developing, a number of resources for schools around energy efficiency and carbon reduction. More resources will be added over time, so come back and check for updates here: http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/cut-carbon-reduce-costs/public-sector/pages/public-sector-resources.aspx#SC     Toolkits, Skills Programme, SCoRE 2012-03-20T14:40:54+00:00 http://www.climate-em.org.uk/resources/item/carbon-trust-empower-making-energy-savings-in-your-office/ http://www.climate-em.org.uk/resources/item/carbon-trust-empower-making-energy-savings-in-your-office/#When:13:13:34Z Empower is designed to empower employees to make energy savings in their office. Through tutorials, virtual tours, a quiz, and other interactive elements, Empower will help raise staff awareness of carbon and cost-saving opportunities, as well as encourage people to make a contribution, and a commitment, to save energy in your office.  You may like to have a go with it yourself before sending it out to all staff.  When you complete the office tour section you can make ‘pledges’ and ‘suggestions to manager’. When you go to the Action Plan there is a “share with my manager” feature. In the e-mail address people can enter any email address to send on their pledges and suggestions. When you send the link out to staff you may like to suggest that they send their pledges and suggestions to one location, e.g. your Environment Team inbox. Empower  can be downloaded from the Carbon Trust website at the folowing address: www.carbontrust.co.uk/empower   Tools 2012-03-20T13:13:34+00:00 http://www.climate-em.org.uk/resources/item/vantage-point-modelling-scenarios/ http://www.climate-em.org.uk/resources/item/vantage-point-modelling-scenarios/#When:10:53:54Z This resource contains 4 reports at the regional level, with data disaggregated at sub-regional level for 4 scenarios modelled for the period 2020, 2035, and 2050: investigating the impact of the Low Carbon Transition plan, based on current national policy maximal use of biomass maximal use of solar one example of how to meet the national target by scaling up deployable measures Data, Publications, Skills Programme, Vantage Point 2012-03-20T10:53:54+00:00 http://www.climate-em.org.uk/resources/item/planning-for-hydropower-planning-advice2/ http://www.climate-em.org.uk/resources/item/planning-for-hydropower-planning-advice2/#When:09:38:07Z Planning for Hydropower: Planning Advice has been produced by AMEC on behalf of Climate East Midlands, as part of the East Midlands Skills Programme, and is jointly funded by the Environment Agency.  It is intended to help local planning authorities, the Environment Agency, developers and other stakeholders better understand the complex planning issues associated with hydropower schemes in the East Midlands Region (and elsewhere in England) and to encourage a more joined-up approach to determining applications for their deployment. The advice applies to England only, as there are differences in planning legislation and guidance in the devolved administrations. For further information about the project see the following link: http://www.climate-em.org.uk/projects/hydropower/ Publications, Skills Programme, Hydropower, Tools 2012-03-20T09:38:07+00:00 http://www.climate-em.org.uk/resources/item/planningforclimatechange/ http://www.climate-em.org.uk/resources/item/planningforclimatechange/#When:16:31:08Z An online resource for local communities to use to help them make informed decisions and have meaningful input in to planning consultations is posted on www.planningforclimatechange.org.uk .  The resources contains planning news, information about how the planning system works, a section on community led planning, information about practical ways in which communities can save energy and become more resilient, plus case studies and useful tools.  Skills Programme, Community Skills, Tools 2012-03-19T16:31:08+00:00 http://www.climate-em.org.uk/resources/item/communities-case-studies/ http://www.climate-em.org.uk/resources/item/communities-case-studies/#When:16:28:05Z Growing Climate Friendly Communities Grant enabled eight succesful projects to be delivered, as follows: The full case studies can be downloaded at the bottom of the page Greening Beeston: the project has enabled feasibility studies to be carried out to select a suitable community building for the installation of a renewable energy source, for a full feasibility study of the site selected to be completed, and a planning application to be written and submitted. The result has been that Chilwell School is looking to install a 5kW wind turbine. www.greeninginbeeston.weebly.com Newstead Enterprise: using the park’s own reed-stock, local volunteers have installed a wet reed-bed system for the disposal of sewage from the Newstead Earth Centre. It is complemented by a Klargester sewage treatment unit to add an extra level of filtration to the system. A functional operating sewerage system has now been constructed to dispose of the centre’s waste in an eco-sensitive way and 24 local volunteers have developed new construction skills. phalewood@rcan.org.uk Oundle Transition Town: by training Household Energy Assessors who have carried out customised energy surveys based on a standard set of documents, householders have become more aware of their energy consumption and their dependence on fossil fuels. During the project, money was raised to purchase an infra red camera. A huge amount of enthusiasm and momentum within the community has been developed which will help the community move towards its aim of reducing its carbon footprint. alanrayden@hotmail.com St Matthews Community Solutions: the project aimed to get the community to start to think differently about their community. 10 volunteers have attended a 10 week horticulture training, 6 communal planting areas have been developed for the community, including 3 ‘St Matthew’s Fruit Corners’, 4 active wormeries and 2 composters. Two of these areas were full of vegetables which were harvested by the community at the end of the summer 2011. One of the biggest achievements of this project is that it has engaged the local residents to such an extent that 30 residents have signed up, both themselves and their gardens, to the community gardening scheme. issakawabdi@hotmail.co.uk Sustainable Bakewell: the funding has paid for a detailed engineering investigation and hydro energy confirmation study, complete with report. The local consultation process has begun, so that all local stakeholders are engaged in this local renewable venture. Visit www.sustainablebakewell.org.uk or email info@sustainablebakewell.org.uk Sustainable Hayfield: the project has raised awareness of sustainable issues within the community, reaching out through a series of community events. Energy assessments have been carried out on 8 core housing types and a road map for each house type has been created , showing how to improve its energy efficiency. Relevant and practical advice has been provided to help householders make energy efficiency improvements. An energy audit has been carried out on the local school, to kick start their carbon reduction programme. cathmhayfieldsustain@btconnect.com   Transition Chesterfield: Fossil Fuel to Pedal Power has provided cycle training and pedal-powered solutions for people in Chesterfield to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and help to tackle local and global CO2 emissions, as well as encouraging healthy living and practical, sustainable transport. 60 people attended 3-hour bike mechanics workshops, 48 Bikeability cycle training places were filled, 7 events have been run where cycling has been promoted, through information and demonstration. All of these events have included a free Dr. Bike service offering people bike checks with adjustments and repairs. 6 people have taken part in a load carrying (cargo) bike building project, involving further professional training in brazing, welding and workshop skills. One cargo bike has been completed and another in under construction. 2 bikes have been re-homed. Transition Chesterfield now has 3 fully qualified bike mechanics and has encouraged people to get their old bikes out their shed, get them into working order, and most importantly, start to use them. adholdaway@yahoo.co.uk Transition West Bridgford: this project has enabled members of the public with opportunities to see green new build and low energy refurbishment work in progress. The theory behind the idea is that seeing completed projects is inspiring, but seeing them in progress is more informative because the real energy efficiency features are usually invisible by the time the work is complete. During the project, the Eco House Group has grown from 100 to 170 members, with high levels of attendance and interest at events. Home-owners’ knowledge about low energy houses has improved, and many are seriously planning ahead to carry out significant work on their own homes. This includes a number of people living in “hard to treat” solid wall homes who are now considering major work that includes insulation or even whole house low energy retrofit. The wider interest that this project has generated, led to a presentation about the project at the AECB (sustainable builders’ association) annual conference in September 2011. www.wbecohouses.co.uk     Case Studies, Skills Programme, Community Skills 2012-03-19T16:28:05+00:00