Welcome to Cathy Doidge, who has taken over from Peter O’Neil as chair of Environmental and Sustainability Board for Plymouth Strategic Partnership. A big thank you from DSEN to Peter and all the work he has put into the network.
1. Minutes of Last Meeting
The minutes of November’s meeting were agreed to be a true and accurate reflection of the meeting.
2. Matters Arising
Several actions carried over.
Action: JFB arrange meeting with Federation of Small Businesses.
Action: JS will follow up contact with Notts and Derby Energy Partnership
Action: TN send Exeter Waste to Energy project pamphlet to JS.
3. Devon Sustainable Energy Strategy – Tony Norton
Tony Norton gave a presentation. The aim of which was to provide background evidence to analyse the current situation and identify the target and work out how to reach it.
This is Part 1 which TN has also circulated by email, all the figures are based on a target of a 15% reduction in CO2 emissions from 2004 levels by 2010. It was discussed that it is now 2007 so we have half the time to meet the targets.
Devon Targets
•renewable energy (RE) can deliver 2.5% - the 151MW
•EST and Carbon Trust estimate energy reduction and efficiency can deliver around 13%
•We need to deliver another 10% each year after 2010.
Need to consider how growth affects these targets. I.e. emissions from new developments at Cranbrook and Sherford will cancel out Devon’s entire renewable heat contributions as detailed in Revision 2020. Highlights the importance of carbon neutral developments, which the region is focussing on already. Growth of air travel (new airports etc) could also cancel out up to 25% of the 15% target.
Need to dispel myths about biofuels being the saviour of transport: To meet the future government targets of 5.75% of road fuels being biofuel would require 24% of Devon’s arable land. Also need to consider issues of international trading: air/sea freight, destruction of virgin rainforest to produce palm oil, etc.
Summary: To meet our 15% target EnVision need to work with 98% of businesses in Devon, and loft and cavity insulation needs to be installed in 91% of all possible properties. This is going to create lots more jobs and require partnerships to achieve.
There was discussion about how this could be achieved, funded, and where DSEN will fit in. In reality the target is too low, but will still be a huge challenge to meet, businesses need to be shown that energy saving makes good economic sense regardless of climate change. Very important to use the appropriate message to target different groups, and to have tangible targets and figures broken down for communities when presenting the case. The figures in TN’s presentation are startling, in order to prevent people from jumping straight from ‘denial to despair’ it may be necessary to also give them some solutions to show the way forward. IH and JFB stressed the need to just get on with things, there are resources locally, and DSEN can make things happen.
JS asked for some feedback from each of the Devon strategic partnership, i.e. Plymouth, Torbay and Devon. A key point from Plymouth was the issue of effective and appropriate communications strategies.
MF noted that the draft strategy has been well received by Torbay Strategic Partnership so far, TN is presenting the case to them on 9th Feb. Torbay are also working on their Climate Change Strategy which will be out for consultation in May. For Devon Strategic Partnership it will be important to break down the targets to district level, need to get community/local authority consultation from the beginning – issue to take up with developers?
PB notes that Community Renewables Initiative funding is finishing in March 07, not clear whether anything will take its place.
Action: CD and IH to discuss with TN, possible dates for presentation to each Strategic Partnership.
4. RE4D Update
Melanie Sealey sent her apologies and a handout was passed round.
5. Munich Study Tour / Devon Improvement Programme Proposal
Kevin (from Torbay), Jackie Young and Martin Eibl went to the Parliamentary Warm Homes Group to talk about the study tour, what is currently going on in Devon and give some recommendations.
Copies of the report are going out to all delegates and it will also be available to download soon.
£10,000 funding is available through DIP to work with a PR agency to improve member’s knowledge. JS and FS are working on this and would like to tie it in with Munich, they will keep DSEN informed.
RegenSW event in Bristol 8th March for LA officers and members. JS is looking for nominations to attend an evening networking event after the conference, all agreed that JS should attend as DSEN chair. Action: Any nominations to JS by 9th Feb.
FYI: DARE will have a stand showcasing advice in Devon, any requests for information to be displayed contact PB.
6. Funding and Finance
JS has written to EDF and all LA’s, very likely that EDF will support DSEN with £10,000. Torbay, North Devon, Teignbridge, South Hams have all agreed to £1500. Awaiting replies from Torridge, East Devon, Plymouth and Exeter. West Devon have are very likely, Mid Devon said ‘no’.
DSEN thanked JS for his work, without the funding DSEN would not have been able to continue.
7. Chairs reports
Domestic Energy and Health – Graham Horler
Claire Bircham from EAGA spoke about their Special Projects in place of Karen Farnworth who sent her apologies, there was a handout.
Discussion about EEC3; there is a proposal that advice could be classed as a measure, currently EEC3 is out for consultation until spring.
Discussed the Action Plan and agreed to compile a list of temporary heating providers.
Business – Graham Horler (JFB was not present)
Poorly attended.
EnVision are doing a round of presentations to the Chambers of Commerce beginning in March.
Ensure future Business and Renewable Energy Sub Group meetings are in the same place on the same day, as many people attending both meetings.
Renewable Energy – Paul Baker
Meeting was cancelled.
RE4D capacity issue – need more installers. John Baker is working hard on this and will be talking to a training organisation to discuss the accreditation process. John is also looking at the Technology Growth Plans.
RE sub group would like to meet at the National Marine Aquarium at some point and combine with a tour. DARE staff are attending a talk at the Phoenix Theatre by the NMA Director and will discuss possibility of future meeting/tour/events with him. Action: PB to talk to Mike Lease, the director
8. AOB
TN
Producing an ESCO study final draft which will be put on the DCC website and linked from DSEN. The University of Exeter is leading major research into urban sustainability but looking for people to steer the research. Anyone interested contact TN.
FS
WcEA has won funding from EST to run a series of public events. Called ‘Climate 4 Change’ there will be 10 events across Devon before April. They are also using newspaper advertising and promoting EST’s ‘Commit’ campaign, to encourage people to commit to save energy.
DONM
Changed to 18th May, Castle Drogo Room, Larkebeare House, Exeter.
