A new Carbon Management Plan (2010-15) has recently been published to replace the Carbon Management & Implementation Plan published in 2007. An Energy & Carbon Manager has been appointed to lead the implementation of carbon reduction projects. The Carbon Management Plan shows how the Council will reduce the carbon emissions from its buildings and operations. It fulfils the commitment in the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change, which the Council signed in May 2007, and shows positive action by the Council to implement Eco Island, the Sustainable Community Strategy. Carbon reduction measures also reduce energy costs which will help the Council deliver more efficient services to local residents Click here for a full version of the Carbon Management Plan 2010-15. The Council’s carbon emissions during 2009-10 (the baseline year) were calculated at 20,558 tonnes of carbon dioxide (tCO2), with the associated energy costs amounting to some £5.5 million. Click here for a breakdown of the 2009-10 carbon emissions. The majority of emissions are from buildings, with school buildings contributing 43% of total Council emissions. Of the 53 Council buildings that require Display Energy Certificates (DECs), 77% fall into Band D or below, which shows considerable scope for improvements in energy efficiency. Click here for details of DEC scores. Without taking action, and maintaining current staff levels and existing buildings, energy costs are expected to increase to £6.2 million in 2014-15. The actions in this Plan, combined with Council re-organisation, building rationalisation and the Highways PFI project, should reduce this to £4.2 million, and provide accumulative financial savings of up to £3.1 million over the five year period. The Council’s aim is to reduce its carbon emissions by 30% by April 2015, compared to the 2009-10 baseline, amounting to 6,896 tCO2.
During 2010-11, the Council’s carbon emissions fell to 19,541 tCO2, representing a fall of 5% during the first year. During 2011-12, carbon emissions fell further to 16,208 tCO2, representing a fall of 21% from the baseline year (2009-10). The reduction averages 10.5% per year which is ahead of the target of 6% annual reduction. Click here for details of 2009-12 carbon emissions in tonnes of CO2 (tCO2). The Government requires these figures to be published in CO2 equivalent (CO2e) which shows the impact of all greenhouse gases.
Click here for details of 2009-12 carbon emissions in tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e).
The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme is a mandatory emissions trading scheme for the UK. The Isle of Wight Council has to participate due to the level of its energy consumption. An allowance must be purchased for each tonne of carbon dioxide produced by the Council through burning fossil fuels. The scheme essentially works as a tax on emissions whereby the more emissions the Council produces, the more allowances it will be required to purchase. Emissions captured within this scheme include those produced by the use of oil, gas and electricity but do not include emissions as a result of fuel used for transport. In simplistic terms, if the council pays for the utility bill then it is responsible for the emissions. Schools are also included within the council’s footprint. Reporting years run in line with the financial year (1st April to 31st March), necessitating an annual report each year and also a ‘footprint report’ at the start of each phase. Click here to view the Council’s CRC Annual Report for 2010-11.
Click here to view the Council's CRC Annual Report for 2011-12
Click here to view the Council’s CRC Footprint Report for 2010-11. The cost to the Council of purchasing allowances for 2011-12 was be £131,568.