SC(3) CR-I&PB8

Sustainability Committee

Inquiry into Carbon Reduction in Wales: Carbon Reduction by Industry and Public Bodies

Response from Flintshire County Council

(Received by email)

FAO Virgia Hawkins :Clerk to the Committee

Dear Virginia

I have been asked to respond to the CO2 consultation Questions on behalf of Flintshire.

Q1 If the longer term carbon reduction targets are to be met, a 3% reduction target  is the minimum that should be aimed for in the early years ,  these early savings are likely to be the most cost effective in terms of payback periods. Once the" low hanging fruit" has been collected, then more difficult and longer term financial decisions will need to be taken such as investment in new low carbon  equipment  or renewable energy systems.
I therefore suggest that possibly a slightly higher initial target of 4 or 5 % for perhaps the first 2 or 3 years reducing to 3 % as greater investment becomes necessary.

Q2 The emission reduction Target should be based on production and Consumption.

Q3 Probably the biggest challenge facing Wales will be the transforming  to a low Carbon economy with minimal  damage to the economy. However unless some miraculously abundant supply of low carbon energy can be found , in the long term it may become inevitable that our general standard of living as a whole will fall. There are after all only limited resources on this planet and we are using them up at an unsustainable rate.

Q4

Q5 The Policy Agreements used between WAG and local Govmt  (2004-07) were a good kick start, provided the funding allocated(or Part thereof) was utilised to reduce CO2 . This varied considerably between different Authorities.

Q6

Q7 I can only give an example of a Flintshire initiative whereby a  three year capital fund has been made available, with an agreement  that revenue savings resulting from the use of this money to make buildings more efficient, will be returned to an energy fund to be reinvested in further energy reduction schemes .
There are ongoing discussions with our Education directorate for them to agree to a similar proposal and the current position is looking positive for all Flintshire properties to recycle all savings from this investment fund. On the basis that this is agreed, the outcome will mean more money to invest as the annual savings add to the fund to re invest in further low carbon initiatives. Lower energy consumption and costs and a much quicker improvement in energy and carbon reduction throughout our building portfolio will result.
With the current hike in energy prices this type of scheme looks promising.

Q8 I am not sure how the Government of Wales act 2006 relates to the devolving of powers to allow the WAG to tighten building regulations, but this would be a significant step forward if it can be achieved.

Q9 Each sector should have its own target determined by the polluter pays principle.

Q10 The CRC  will undoubtedly affect this Authority in financial terms, however we are endeavouring to put in place practices and procedure that will hopefully minimise the impact. We are currently in discussions with Carbon Trust (Wales) and considering  setting challenging longer 10 year carbon reduction targets similar to the one Cardiff City Council have recently signed up to. Until such time as the CRC is operating it is difficult to determine ways to amend or improve it. However I do believe the threshold for inclusion within the scheme could be reduced to bring more businesses under its remit.

Kind Regards

Will Pierce
Energy Manager / Rheolwr Ynni
Energy Conservation Unit / Adran Arbed Ynni
Flintshire County Council /Cyngor Sir  y Fflint
County Offices
Chapel Street
Flint
CH6 5BD

Tel 01352 703137