Rhondda Cynon Taf – Climate Change and Pathfinder Programme.

Brian Houston – Emergency Planning & Sustainable Development Manager and Environmental Partnership Coordinator

Environmental Partnership

•Steering Group is made up of the Council, Groundwork Merthyr & RCT; Countryside Council for Wales, who provide funding, Interlink and the

Environment Agency.

•Focus on Climate Change – shared objective and linked to Changing Climate Changing Places Project.

•Developing open spaces to increase well-being in the community.

Environmental Partnership“Changing Climate Changing Places”

• This project is being developed to improve the resilience of local communities in Wales to the impacts of climate change.

• The project will answer the basic questions:

• What does climate change mean for our community? - 28th March – Our Community and Climate Change Event.

• What risks and opportunities does climate change represent to services and particular localities? – Mapping the impacts on certain communities and costing those impacts.

• How can we adapt now and in the future? - Adaptation strategy in 2011, part of Climate Change Strategy and linked to WAG ‘Outcome Agreements’.

LCLIP outcomes - RCTRainLoss of Business ContinuityFlooded Homes / BuildingsDamaged road surfacesCollapsed / damaged culvertsWater logged playing fieldsFlooded Rest CentreLand slipVegetation growthLoss of Reputation

HeatNoise PollutionRat / Wasp / Fly infestations

Cold School closuresWithdrawal of Home to Schools transportRoad accidentsIncreased GrittingLoss of Business ContinuityLoss of Reputation

High Winds Debris on rail/roads - closuresFallen trees

Extreme Weather Events

Severe weather event

Total number between 2002-

2008

High temperatures/ heat wave

3

Excessive rainfall/ flooding

22

Wind 2

Frost/ ice/ snow 8

Environmental Partnership

• Building on the outcomes from the March Community Event.

• Competition for best adaptation suggestion for a community- £200 and half a day with a consultant.

• Facilitating the development in local hydro power.

• ‘Heatwave Here’ day in May 2011 – bringing Health, Social Care providers, Council Social Care, Police and community together to understand and develop plans for heatwaves in RCTCBC.

Council and Community effects of Climate Change. • Increased flood risk to our rivers• Land erosion • Inadequate drainage and sewerage systems • Drier soils and subsidence • Significant habitat and species changes • Water quality issues in rivers and lakes • Greater incidence of drought and problems with water supply; • Lower air quality

Climate Change and the Council. “”

• Increased costs for insurance and decreased property values • Increased risk of forest and heathland fires • Changed agricultural practices for food • Growth in tourism due to warmer weather;

Wider Environmental improvement activities:

- Love Where you Live .

- SALIX funding for Carbon Reduction activities.

- Tonyrefail and Rhydyfelin Flood Aleviation Scheme.

- Affordable Warmth programme expanded.

- Green Travel Policy.

- Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme.

Climate Change and the Council.

• Between 2002 and 2009 extreme weather events have cost RCT CBC over

£3 million, which includes:

- Staffing (including overtime)

- Immediate costs- sandbags, grit

- Maintenance and repair.

- Does not include costs of not

running a service; External Charges etc.

• Most engaged service areas include Community and Childrens ,

Insurance, HR, Equalities, Highways and IT.

Blaenau Gwent; Caerphilly; Merthyr Tydfil; Bridgend; Neath Port Talbot & Swansea.

• Blaenau – Working with Mark Group and EDF to deliver energy efficiency improvements; Developing Community skills training for energy efficiency

• Merthyr – Working in partnership with local groups to raise awareness of Climate Change and impacts. Local Environment Partnership focusing on energy efficiency.

• Caerphilly – SD Action Plan; Leading the way in environmentally friendly buildings; Development of Ecological Footprint; Very active Environment Partnership.

• Bridgend - Bridgend Environment Partnership; Bridgend Environmental and Sustainability Partnership; Green Dragon Level 5 across all council buildings.

• Neath Port Talbot – 2010 Climate Survey of residents; Development of Carbon footprint; Reduction in council Carbon Emissions; Sustainable Transport; Combined Energy and SD Teams;

• Swansea - Sustainable Swansea awards; Swansea Renewable Energy.

Environmental Partnership

Thank You.

Any Questions?

Contact me - 01443 494789

sustainabledevelopment@rctcbc.gov.uk

Facebook.com/carbonfreerct