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Renewables
Taking Action

Cumbria’s ‘Clean’ Energy Strategy?

13 June 2022

The Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership is consulting on its Clean Energy Strategy. It’s important for everyone in Cumbria concerned to protect our planet to take a look at this and respond. It closes on June 22nd 2022

Here’s the introduction to the response from W Cumbria & N Lakes Friends of the Earth.

‘Nuclear energy is not clean energy. Nuclear is the third highest carbon emitter after coal-fired and natural gas electricity generators. Life cycle emissions are 66 grams of carbon dioxide for every kilowatt-hour compared with 9 grams per kilowatt-hour for wind and 32 grams per kilowatt-hour for solar. “Valuing the greenhouse gas emissions from nuclear power”: A critical survey: Benjamin K. Sovacool Energy Policy 36 (2008) 2940– 2953 Summarised at https://journalistsresource.org/environment/nuclear-power-greenhouse-gases/

Furthermore, nuclear waste is the longest lasting waste we have created on this planet, and there is still no tested and operational GDF in the world. The NDA often describes its activities at Sellafield as ‘clean-up’: why is clean-up needed when they are, according to this strategy, clean in the first place?

The idea that a strategy embracing nuclear is a secure investment is contradicted by all the facts familiar with nuclear projects: failures of investment; high risk due to out-of-control accidents such as Chernobyl & Fukushima; enormous cost and time overruns. There is nothing in this strategy to indicate how these existing realities will be dealt with other than vague words of support by government.’

Here is the consultation:https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=165391843491

And here is the strategy: https://www.thecumbrialep.co.uk/resources/uploads/files/220530_CumbriaCoast_FINAL.pdf

Taking Action

May 5th election: Questions for candidates

17 April 2022

West Cumbria & North Lakes FoE and Climate Emergency West Cumbria have today (Friday 15th April) sent out 6 questions on the climate crisis and the  energy crisis to candidates for the Cumberland election on May 5th. A summary of the responses will be published prior to polling day.

If you meet your candidate you might want to ask them too.

The questions are:

1. Have you been helping the County to achieve its net zero-carbon emissions by 2037 through the Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership?

If so please provide details

2. What will be the chief challenges for the new structure in Cumberland in pursuing this path?

3. What do you as a Councillor hope to contribute to achieving the goal of zero carbon in the following main sectors?

waste / energy / land-use / housing / transport

4. What energy mix you think is most suitable for Cumberland?

5. What other steps should Cumberland take to mitigate the energy crisis?

6. Do you know of any climate protecting projects elsewhere, either in the UK or internationally, that Cumberland could draw on to our benefit?

Please provide details.

 

Renewables
Taking Action

Nottingham’s Net Zero Ambition

27 November 2019

Nottingham City Council has been named the overall winner in the Guardian’s Public Service Awards. He Council announced in January that it intended to become the UK’s first carbon-neutral city by 2028. It has already met its 2020 target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 26% four years early; more than 40% of all journeys in Nottingham are made on public transport and solar panels have been installed on more than 4,000 council houses. Energy consumption of council buildings has been cut by 39% and it is on track to generate 20% of its energy from low-carbon sources by next year. And last year the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs concluded that the city’s air pollution had fallen so much that a Clean Air Zone was not needed.

Making the carbon neutral commitment was only possible, says Sally Longford, the Labour council’s deputy leader and portfolio holder for energy and environment, because of the work that had gone before. “We got a lot of stick over the years. People thought we were anti-car, because we introduced various schemes to try and reduce car usage and congestion.” But it has paid off. “When I was talking to the officers about how far we could push this they were confident we could go further than other councils because of all the work we’d already done.”

One policy in particular, its workplace parking levy (WPL), was a “gamechanger” according to Longford. Introduced in 2012, the WPL is aimed at employers providing 11 or more commuter parking spaces, with an annual rate of £415 per space. It is still the only such scheme in the UK and has not only tackled congestion and pollution but netted the council £61m for improving and “greening” public transport. That money has helped with the redevelopment of Nottingham station, an expansion of the tram network that runs on green electricity from the council’s own energy company, and the council’s fleet of 58 electric buses that has reduced carbon emissions by more than 1,050 tonnes. “We have a positive attitude to these things because they pay for themselves,” says Longford. “We’re putting solar panels on anything that doesn’t move, really, because it saves us money in the long run and helps support other work we’re doing.”

The energy and transport teams have won funding from central government, Europe and other sources, and the savings the energy team generates means it actually makes a profit for the council that can be used to cross-subsidise crucial departments such as children’s services.

Guardian »

Renewables
Taking Action

Net Zero Bristol by 2030

25 November 2019

Bristol City Council – controlled by Labour – was the first council in the country to declare a climate emergency in November 2018. That motion was unanimously passed and now acts as the foundations for the City’s transformative commitment to become carbon-neutral by 2030.

In 2015, Bristol became the UK’s first European Green Capital. And, having already recorded a 71% reduction in carbon emissions from its direct activities against a 2005 baseline – surpassing a target to reduce emissions by 65% by 2020 – it now has the lowest carbon footprint of any UK city.

The City’s Energy, Transport and Green New Deal Lead Kye Dudd stresses the importance of the unitary authority continuing to lead the climate movement in a way that he hopes will create something of a domino effect of climate action among businesses, citizens and policymakers alike. “We need to extend our influence into the business sphere and to bring other people with us.”

The Council recently partnered with Manchester-based blockchain technology company EnergiMine to reward council employees who partake in sustainable actions by using the EnergiToken (ETK) platform. ETK uses blockchain to incentivise actions that promote energy reduction, clean transport use and social cause initiatives. Employees can now earn tokens to spend on rewards – or donate the equivalent value to a registered charity – by acting in an environmentally sustainable way.

Great progress has also been made outside of the Council’s own operations – particularly in the area of renewable energy. More than £50m has been invested in low-carbon and renewable energy projects in the region since 2012, and to great effect: Bristol sourced 21GWh of energy generation from solar, wind and biomass in 2018 – enough to power 24,000 homes for a month.

Through the Council’s City Leap Strategy it hopes to attract a further £1bn of global investment in the city. Local partners already supporting the project include the University of Bristol, University of the West of England, Western Power Distribution, Bristol is Open, Invest Bristol and Bath, Bristol Green Capital Partnership and Bristol Energy. The signs are already looking positive: since its launch last year, the City Leap initiative has already garnered interested from almost 200 local organisations, international firms, investors and energy and infrastructure businesses.

Dudd notes that district heat networks and community renewable energy projects are two areas where smaller local businesses can get involved. A 5MW community-owned solar project, has installed roof-mounted solar panels on public buildings. And a new network of underground pipes that will deliver affordable, low-carbon heat and energy across the city – is already benefitting more than 1,000 social housing properties and is continuing to expand.

The Council voted in October to make Bristol the first UK city to ban public use of diesel cars from its streets to combat air pollution. While still requiring government approval, that scheme is set to start from 2021. Bristol’s Eastville Park is the first of four planned charging hub for the region, each hosting four to eight rapid-charge connections that can charge an EV up to 80% from 30 minutes’ charging. In total, four local authorities will install 120 new or replacement charge point connections across over the next year. The majority of the charge points will be supplied with 100% renewable energy provided by Bristol Energy.

Edie »

Renewable Heat
Taking Action

Sunderland goes for Ground Source Heat Pumps

20 November 2019

Residents in 364 homes across seven tower blocks in Sunderland are seeing their gas boilers replaced with heat from ground source heat pumps. There will be a ground source heat pump for each flat which will also be connected to a district heating system consisting of ambient shared ground loop arrays. An underground aquifer will provide the heat source for the tower blocks, accessed via open loop boreholes drilled to depths of 60m. The ambient system prevents heat losses, overcoming overheating in the tower block communal areas, and boosts the system efficiency. The independent heat pumps mean that tenants can shop around for their electricity deal, whilst reducing carbon emissions by an estimated 420 tonnes or nearly 70% per year and improving local air quality. Gentoo Group is delivering the ‘Core 364’ project with the support of Engie and ground source heat pump specialists, Kensa Contracting. Work started in October, with all systems expected to be replaced by late Summer 2020.

Gentoo’s chief executive officer, Nigel Wilson, said: “This heating system will provide heat and hot water at a much reduced cost, using natural heat from the ground.

For more info see the presentati0on made by Kensa to the APSE Energy Summit in October https://www.apse.org.uk/apse/assets/File/Day%202%20-%20Session%205_2%20-%20Matthew%20Black.pdf

New Power »

Renewables
Taking Action

Hydrogen-fuelled ferries considered for Western Isles

30 July 2019

An innovative plan to use hydrogen produced at island wind farms to power the ferry network has been announced by Point and Sandwick Trust. Yesterday, the trust published a feasibility study to assess the suitability of using hydrogen produced from local wind farms to power future ferry services operating in the Western Isles. The project looked at the practical and economic feasibility of using new island wind farms to produce zero-carbon “green” hydrogen fuel for future types of clean emission ferries operating on the established Caledonian MacBrayne routes.

Press & Journal »

Taking Action

Climate Emergency

8 July 2019

In December 2018, Stroud District Council pledged to do everything in its power to make the district carbon neutral by 2030, a leading pledge that was followed by Gloucestershire County Council unanimously committing in May of this year to become carbon neutral within its estate by 2030 and across the county by 2050. One of the key components needed to achieve this neutrality target will be to move from the current energy mix that is 90% reliant on fossil fuels, to one that is reliant instead on renewable energy capacity (alongside energy efficiency and energy demand reduction). In light of this, Stroud council commissioned CSE, partnered with Land Use Consultants, to research local renewable energy capacity. This project builds upon our experience and understanding of the current context for renewable energy and planning policy in Gloucestershire; we recently produced the Gloucestershire Sustainable Energy Strategy (2018) and hosted the first county-wide Climate Change conference that was designed to support authorities moving forward on carbon neutral targets.

Centre for Sustainable Energy »

Renewables
Taking Action

Manchester & Bristol Decarbonise

16 November 2018

Two of the UK’s largest cities have this week moved to strengthen their decarbonisation plans, as the city councils of Manchester and Bristol both voted to bring forward their target dates for securing ‘carbon neutral; or ‘zero carbon’ status. On Tuesday, Bristol City Council unanimously backed a motion put forward by Green party councillor Carla Denyer to make the city ‘carbon neutral’ by 2030 – a full 20 years earlier than the previous target. The move came as Manchester City Council’s Executive formally adopted a new target to become a ‘zero carbon city’ by 2038, 12 years earlier than the target it replaces. Denyer hailed the vote as “a fantastic day for Bristol”, adding that it provided further evidence cities and sub-national governments can lead the response to the escalating climate risks highlighted by the recent IPCC report. Manchester City Council’s Executive backed a plan developed by the Council’s Climate Change Board with input from the University of Manchester’s Tyndall Centre. The plan, dubbed Playing Our Full Part, would introduce a science-based ‘carbon budget’ for the city that caps total emissions at 15 million tonnes from 2018-2100. To meet the target the city will be required to cut emissions 13 per cent year-on-year from 2018 onwards, making it a net zero carbon city by 2038. The Manchester Climate Change Board will now develop a draft action plan by March 2019, ahead of producing a final plan by 2020, detailing how the city can stay within its carbon budget.

Business Green »

Renewables
Taking Action

Community Solar Share Offer

24 October 2018

Residents in south Cumbria have another opportunity to invest in a community-owned renewable energy scheme. Burneside Community Energy has already raised £250,000 from local shareholders to install 250kW of solar PV on the roof of paper manufacturer James Cropper’s factory. Now the group aims to raise a further £330,000 for a second installation, again in partnership with the Kendal-based firm. Organisers say the shares, which will be £1 with a minimum investment of £250, will generate annual interest of over 4.5 per cent. Gill Fenna, director of Burneside Community Energy, said: “On the back of the over-performance of the first phase of our installation, which was commissioned nearly three years ago, we were encouraged to go for this second phase.

In Cumbria »

Renewables
Taking Action

Council Solar Farm

23 October 2018

West Sussex County Council has launched its second solar farm which features battery storage technology. The Westhampnett solar project near Chichester is expected to generate enough electricity to power around 2,400 homes a year. The battery is used to store surplus electricity which can be released to the grid when consumer demand is high. It follows the launch of the Tangmere solar farm in 2015, which already produces power for 1,500 homes a year. The council has also installed solar panels on its buildings, including offices, schools and fire stations. Islington Council will be showing how it used CHP and heat recapture techologies to make a different to the community at Energy Live Expo on 31st October, with Energy Minister Claire Perry headlining the event.

Energy Live News »

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Latest News

  • Cumbria’s ‘Clean’ Energy Strategy?

    The Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership is consulting on its Clean Energy Strategy. It’s important for everyone in Cumbria concerned to protect our planet to take a look at this and respond. It closes on June 22nd 2022 Here’s the introduction to the response from W Cumbria & N Lakes Friends of the Earth. ‘Nuclear energy is not clean energy. Nuclear is the third highest carbon emitter after coal-fired and natural gas electricity generators. Life cycle emissions are 66 grams of carbon dioxide for every kilowatt-hour compared with 9 grams per kilowatt-hour for wind and 32 grams per kilowatt-hour for solar. “Valuing the greenhouse gas emissions from nuclear power”: A critical survey: Benjamin K. Sovacool Energy Policy 36 (2008) 2940– 2953 Summarised at https://journalistsresource.org/environment/nuclear-power-greenhouse-gases/ Furthermore, nuclear waste is the longest lasting waste we have created on this planet, and there is still no tested and operational GDF in the world. The NDA often describes its activities at Sellafield as ‘clean-up’: why is clean-up needed when they are, according to this strategy, clean in the first place? The idea that a strategy embracing nuclear is a secure investment is contradicted by all the facts familiar with nuclear projects: failures of investment; high risk due to out-of-control accidents such as Chernobyl & Fukushima; enormous cost and time overruns. There is nothing in this strategy to indicate how these existing realities will be dealt with other than vague words of support by government.’ Here is the consultation:https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=165391843491 And here is the strategy: https://www.thecumbrialep.co.uk/resources/uploads/files/220530_CumbriaCoast_FINAL.pdf

  • Magnox Reprocessing to End July 2022

    Operations to end at Sellafield’s Magnox Reprocessing Plant. Sellafield’s Magnox plant will stop reprocessing in July 2022 and enter a new era of clean-up and decommissioning. It will mark the end of an operational journey that began in 1964. The plant has played a crucial role in UK energy generation. It received and reprocessed nearly 55,000 tonnes of spent (or used) nuclear fuel from power stations across the country, and Italy and Japan. That allowed the UK’s 11 Magnox power stations to keep low carbon electricity flowing to homes and businesses in England, Scotland, and Wales. The final Magnox station closed in 2015. Spent fuel from the UK’s current fleet of AGR nuclear power stations will continue to be sent for storage at Sellafield.   NDA 17th May 2022  

  • Cumbria Green Jobs and Young People

    Cumbria has a key role to play in tackling the climate and nature emergencies. But does the region have the skilled workforce to deliver the progress needed in the next decade? There is enormous potential for new jobs in energy efficiency, low-carbon heating, solar power, and offshore wind across the county as we transition to a low carbon economy. Investing in these sectors could bring huge social and economic benefits to both the local community and the climate. Based on analysis of a youth survey conducted between August – October 2021, we have produced a new report reflecting on the aspirations of young people in Cumbria and their interest in green job opportunities. For me and many young people who call Cumbria home there are many things to love about the place we come from – the landscape, the community, the culture. For all of these reasons, I would like to remain in Cumbria for as long as I can. But jobs, especially sustainable jobs, are currently in short supply. I will most likely have to leave Cumbria to access the job I want to do; yet many young people would choose to stay here, working with our communities or our land, if the jobs were available. The provision of green jobs in Cumbria is a necessity not only in order to provide young people with the secure and stable careers they want, but to provide the jobs we need in order to transition to a sustainable, green economy. Throughout my time in education, I was offered little information about the potential for green careers in the area. Young people need to be given chances to learn about the opportunities and apprenticeships available to them. The survey tells us that there is a clear appetite amongst young people to gain more understanding of green jobs opportunities in areas such as renewable energy, and agriculture, forestry and land management. Also, young people have high aspirations for future earnings, raising the question of whether these aspirations can be met locally. The climate crisis, and the scope of the action we need in order to tackle it, can often feel overwhelming. However, we can start to make a difference by taking local steps such as the ones recommended at the end of this report and providing green jobs and education opportunities to young people across Cumbria.  Isabella Bridgman, youth climate activist Access report here You can view videos of what green jobs and how they benefit our communities here

  • Russian Coal

    Despite the claims made by its supporters, opening the proposed Cumbrian mine would not end our dependency on foreign coal. West Cumbria Mining make it clear that their product would replace coal from the US, not from Russia. Steelmakers use a blend of different coals, the majority of which would still need to be imported, even if the coal mine was opened. In addition to this, one of the only two potential UK customers for Cumbrian coal – British Steel in Scunthorpe – has said that they may not be able to use it because of its high sulphur content. The best way to reduce the UK steel industry’s dependence on imported coal would be for it to turn to green steel, made without the use of coal. That’s already happening in the rest of Europe and is what the UK steel industry needs to be competitive in the 21st century.

  • May 5th election: Questions for candidates

    West Cumbria & North Lakes FoE and Climate Emergency West Cumbria have today (Friday 15th April) sent out 6 questions on the climate crisis and the  energy crisis to candidates for the Cumberland election on May 5th. A summary of the responses will be published prior to polling day. If you meet your candidate you might want to ask them too. The questions are: 1. Have you been helping the County to achieve its net zero-carbon emissions by 2037 through the Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership? If so please provide details 2. What will be the chief challenges for the new structure in Cumberland in pursuing this path? 3. What do you as a Councillor hope to contribute to achieving the goal of zero carbon in the following main sectors? waste / energy / land-use / housing / transport 4. What energy mix you think is most suitable for Cumberland? 5. What other steps should Cumberland take to mitigate the energy crisis? 6. Do you know of any climate protecting projects elsewhere, either in the UK or internationally, that Cumberland could draw on to our benefit? Please provide details.  

Cumbrian Energy Plans

There is huge potential to create ‘green’ jobs in Cumbria – employment opportunities that are good for both people and the environment. New research carried out for CAfS shows that the county could benefit from 9,000 new jobs in industries ranging from renewable energy and construction to transport. The findings are shared in their report The Potential for Green Jobs in Cumbria. Published on Friday 12 March 2021, the report will contribute to the crucial opportunity we have to plan for an economic recovery of Cumbria that accelerates the transition to a cleaner, net-zero emissions local economy after the devastating impacts of Covid-19. The report, supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, shows that: there are more than 1300 opportunities for green apprenticeship creation over 3 years in Cumbria, spread across the boroughs: Allerdale – 260; Copeland – 160; Barrow – 300; Carlisle – 350; Eden – 80; South Lakes - 160.

Cumbria is one place that could really benefit from a green recovery plan. A better route to economic prosperity after Covid-19 is urgently needed, one that is anchored in the industries of the future, rather than those of the past. A green recovery plan could be built around four key pillars: Cumbria’s rich potential for green economic development; Economic renewal through local net zero plans; Community participation in plans; Investment to make it happen.

Research by Friends of the Earth has revealed that creating 250,000 green apprenticeships leading to jobs including in renewable energy, woodland creation, and peatland restoration, would help address the crises in youth unemployment (that could cost today's unemployed young people £39bn in future earnings), and climate breakdown. Released in March 2021 the report “An emergency plan on green jobs for young people – why and how?” (by Transition Economics for Friends of the Earth) lays bare the scarring economic impact of youth unemployment from Covid-19 on individuals, local authorities, and the overall country. But the research also shows the huge potential for fighting the climate crisis with green jobs country-wide if apprenticeships are given proper government support.

Cumbria Renewable Energy and Capacity Deployment Study  A report by sustainable economic and social development consultants, SQW for Cumbria County Council published in August 2011 giving a detailed assessment of the renewable resources available.

The Scope for Renewable Energy in Cumbria  is a report published by the precursor body to Britain’s Energy Coast - Cumbria Vision in 2009. This envisioned the creation of almost 8,000 by 2050 from developing renewable energy.

The West Cumbria Economic Blueprint is the plan put forward in June 2012 by Britain’s Energy Coast, a public/private partnership made up of local authorities and nuclear groups in the area.

A Sustainable Energy Agency for Cumbria: Business Plan and  Annexes and Supporting Information - commissioned by Cumbria Vision and the North West Development Agency in 2009. A detailed plan for an Energy Agency to promote low-carbon distributed energy and energy efficiency. Cumbria has a huge renewable potential, and a number of leading renewable energy companies including  Gilkes and Energy4All. Despite this, it is not as effective as other areas in accessing funding and support for sustainable energy. Unfortunately the idea of the Agency was never taken forward.

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