Zero-Carbon Eastleigh Council for 2012

An ambitious target to tackle Climate Change in Eastleigh has been set out by the Leader of Eastleigh Borough Council, Cllr Keith House, at the Council's Budget Meeting.

Climate change predictions are for hotter, drier summers with the possibility that Eastleigh could hit 40 degrees Centigrade by the middle of the century.

Cllr House commented,

"While that may conjure up pleasant images of an outdoor lifestyle and better quality of life, the higher temperatures and reduced cloud cover will bring an increased risk of skin cancer, cataracts and heat and air quality related illnesses.  Lack of rainfall during the summer will also lead to drought, possibly spanning more than 1 year, and water shortages.

"The borough's winters in the 2050s will be warmer, wetter and stormier, with unpredictable winds and sudden heavy bouts of rain. Potential higher wind speeds could lead to damage to buildings and infrastructure such as power lines.  More frequent extreme winter rainfall will lead to flash flooding affecting the rivers, drainage and sewerage systems with a greater risk of flooding to our homes and areas we live in.

"As global temperatures rise the ice caps and the Greenland ice sheet will continue to melt raising sea levels around the world.  By 2050 sea levels in south east England will have risen by as much as 32 cm.  Flood risk management and damage as a result of extreme weather and a higher sea level will continue to rise.

"We cannot ignore climate change.  It is simply the biggest issue facing our Borough – and it's a sleeping giant.  To offset the worst extremes of climate change we must act now. 

"This is an area where we are already innovative, and been rewarded as the top South East Council on renewal energy projects.  Our work on waste minimisation and recycling, as well as our work on renewable energy puts us at the leading edge of English local authorities.

"But it's not enough.  We need to do more, and we need to give a clear and unequivocal lead to our community.

"We need to set a clear target for ourselves as a Council.  We need to encourage others to join us.  And we need to ensure that the policies we put into place are fit for purpose.

"So tonight I set the Council a challenge.

"That is to be carbon neutral in our own activities by 2012.  Zero Carbon Eastleigh.  That means reducing our carbon footprint to zero for our key carbon dioxide generating business activities, and compensating for residual emissions by directly or indirectly investing in local projects that reduce or prevent the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

"We will need to think carefully and act in all areas of energy consumption –that will include more active travel planning, and challenging procurement where goods and services are not purchased locally. 

"To help deliver on that pledge we aim to establish a unique locally based Carbon Compensation Fund into which we will make payments that truly represent the social and environmental costs of carbon dioxide, far in excess of that offered by Carbon off-setting organisations.  This fund will invest in energy efficiency, sustainable energy and renewable energy technology. 

"We believe we will be the first Council to do this.  Local carbon compensation for our local community.

"Secondly, we need to change our approach to planning.  The Government has launched draft planning policies, with a Climate Change Planning Policy Statement and construction code.  The Government's aim is for all residential development to be zero carbon by 2016.

"Our aim will be to use locally based supplementary planning documents and development briefs to secure this pledge from 2009 on major sites and all sites from 2012 or sooner.  All new council development, for projects launched from this spring, will be carbon neutral.

"Thirdly, we need to look out into our community and encourage change.  In some areas that will be by influencing behaviour.  In others, for example in improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings in both the private and public sectors, it will be through grants and financial incentives to change.