Rhondda Cynon Taf – Climate Change and Pathfinder Programme.

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

Environmental Partnership

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

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

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

Environmental Partnership “

Changing Climate Changing Places”

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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? - 28 th and Climate Change Event.

March – Our Community

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

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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 - RCT

Rain

Loss of Business Continuity Flooded Homes / Buildings Damaged road surfaces Collapsed / damaged culverts Water logged playing fields Flooded Rest Centre Land slip Vegetation growth Loss of Reputation

Cold

School closures Withdrawal of Home to Schools transport Road accidents Increased Gritting Loss of Business Continuity Loss of Reputation

Heat

Noise Pollution Rat / Wasp / Fly infestations

High Winds

Debris on rail/roads - closures Fallen trees

Extreme Weather Events

Severe weather event

High temperatures/ flooding Wind Frost/ ice/ snow

Total number between 2002 2008

3 22 2 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.

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• 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.

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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 [email protected]

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