Regional consultation on the Climate Change Programme of Action
Consultation on the draft document closed at Christmas 2007. The responses received have been evaluated and further supporting evidence is being collated. The revised Programme of Action will be launched at the end of this year.
GHK have been appointed to provide consultancy support to assist the embedding of sustainable development principles within regional policies and structure. The contract will run until April 2009, and is aimed at embedding sustainable development principles within the emerging Single Integrated Regional Strategy and identifying options for the development of a Sustainable Development Champion Body.
Adapting to Climate Change
The Adaptation Policy Framework was launched on 24 July 2008. An Adapting to Climate Change website has been set up by The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to provide further information about the Framework, an ongoing source of regularly updated information, and a focal point for anyone interested in climate change adaptation.
Climate Change Workshop
GOEM, together with Defra; UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP); and the Regional Climate Change Partnership, held a Workshop on Delivering NI188 ‘Planning to Adapt to Climate Change’ on Tuesday 7 October 2008 at Government Offices for the East Midlands.
The presentations and associated documents from the day are provided within a delegate pack below :
Also attached is the evaluation form for the day. Please could you complete and return to Diane.Whitehead@goem.gsi.gov.uk as UKCIP are keen to use your feedback to improve future events.
Defra launches 'ACT ON CO2' Campaign
Defra launched a public campaign on tackling climate change in July 2007.
Defra's 'ACT ON CO2' campaign aims raise awareness of the link between individuals' everyday behaviour and climate change. Its key message is that carbon emissions cause climate change and 40 per cent of emissions in the UK come directly from individual behaviour.
Please find attached GOEM's "Acting on CO2 in the East Midlands" booklet which raises awareness of climate change and highlights the regional activity to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. This booklet is enhanced by support from the Regional Minister, and recognises the contribution that the East Midlands can make to achieving the national targets, as well as supporting Defra’s national 'Act on CO2' campaign.
This booklet contains a selection of case studies which are making a difference and covers individual actions, community engagement, business and regional activity. Intended to be ‘snapshots’ of good practice, more in depth information can be obtained from the contact details provided.
It is aimed at leaders of organisations or communities who can influence regional activity and be enthused by the examples contained within it. It has been sent to regional stakeholders, libraries and schools, and made available electronically to be distributed via their networks to the wider practitioner and general public audience.
For more information on the 'ACT ON CO2' campaign, and to use Defra's CO2 calculator to calculate your carbon footprint, please visit www.direct.goc.uk/ActOnCO2
Climate change video
The Government Office for the East Midlands and regional stakeholders have developed a video on climate change in conjunction with east midlands development agency (emda) and the East Midlands Regional Assembly (EMRA). Find out how you can make a difference to climate change by watching the video.
East Midlands Expo 2008
EXPO in the East Midlands is an annual event focusing on sustainability in the way the region works and lives to ensure the environment is protected for the future. This can be in the way we work, travel and even eat. Expo provides the largest gathering of suppliers and buyers under one roof, together with thought provoking conferences, workshops and 'meet the buyer' sessions.
East Midlands Expo is organised by a partnership of East Midlands Centre for the Built Environment (emcbe), Government Office for the East Midlands (GOEM), East Midlands Regional Assembly (EMRA) and East Midlands Development Agency (emda).
“EXPO 2008, Acting on Climate Change”, on 19 November 2008 is a free event, open to all, to promote a low carbon economy and help people network with experts in the field.
This year’s venue, the recently opened EPIC Centre at Lincolnshire Showground, is a sustainable venue that will be of special interest to developers. It incorporates a range of green technologies, including rainwater harvesting, a green roof and renewable energy.
Nick Cheffins, head of EPIC, said: “Attending EXPO last year brought a number of prospective clients to our door, which was really important for us as a new venture.”
Exhibitors from a wide range of organisations, including businesses, charities and universities, will be showcasing their goods, products and initiatives. There are opportunities for exhibitors from across the region to attend. For more information, visit www.emra.gov.uk, where you can apply for a stand from as little as £50 and see the latest list of attendees.
There will be a number of seminars and meetings, including the First Green Infrastructure Conference which will look at the importance of green space as an integral part of new developments. There will also be a meeting of climate-friendly communities - local communities that are acting together to reduce their carbon footprint.
The Regional Minister has been invited to launch the Regional Housing Strategy which puts national policy into an East Midlands context.
Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change
The Nottingham Declaration is a voluntary statement of commitment that any local authority can make to its own community. The East Midlands was the first region to achieve 100 per cent sign-up by local authorities to the Nottingham Declaration on climate change and three regional politicians were recruited as ambassadors to help achieve this aim. All NHS organisations in the region have also signed up.
The Nottingham Declaration is supported by an action pack and an online toolkit to help achieve 'sign-up' into practical action. It is now being rolled out to public and private sector bodies.
More information: www.est.org.uk
Climate Challenge Fund
Defra's Climate Challenge Fund provided financial support for communication projects to achieve positive changes in public attitudes about climate change.
Previous winners in the East Midlands include:
- you CAN make a Difference - Bolsover Drama Group Youth Section
- climate Heroes - Nottingham and Derbyshire Local Authorities Energy Partnership
- toolkit for local organisations - Wellingborough Partnership
- 7C's - Derby City Partnership
Youth Climate Change Champions
The Climate Change Champions is an annual competition to find nine outstanding young people aged 11-18 who can represent England on climate change.
The Prime Minister announced East Midlands Champion for 2008 - Pippa Stone, 17 from Ashby Parva, Leicestershire. Pippa successfully demonstrated how she would encourage behavioural change and tackle climate change in the region.
Pippa will spend the year:
- communicating her ideas on how people can reduce their carbon footprints by taking simple and effective action
- taking part in a European fact finding mission to see the effects of climate change and how the issues are tackled by other communities
- meet with senior Government Ministers to share their ideas on the problems we face
- receive £1,000 to organise a climate change themed event at a local school, college or within the local community
Pippa will document her experiences on www.footprintfriends.com
