Post on 22-Nov-2014
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A low-carbon West MidlandsAnn-Marie Brouder
Forum for the Future
A presentation given at State of the Region: Implications of Climate Change event, 20 April 2009.
This presentation forms part of the Observatory’s ongoing State of the Region dialogue between policy makers and
researchers on the theme of climate change.
A Low Carbon West MidlandsForum for the Future20 April 2009
What I’ll talk about
1. Introduction2. Thinking about the future3. A positive future for the West
Midlands?
Forum for the Future
• sustainable development charity• our vision is of business and communities
thriving in a future that’s environmentally viable
• our mission is to find practical ways organisations can deliver a sustainable future
JT Group
Thinking about the future
Thinking in a structured way about the future…
• Inspires and motivates• Attracts new people• Brings sustainable development ‘in
from the cold’• Speaks to strategists
• Improves decision-making for long-term success
Tourism 2023To deliver a shared view of the future challenges that the
industry faces and what the industry, and key players within it, need to do to be future proofed
Climate change• Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change 2007 report:
• Global average 0.4 degrees of warming 2007 – 2030
• Storms more intense and more frequent
• Drought• Heatwaves more intense• Agriculture – variable impacts• Biodiversity threat• Spread of disease• Sea level rise
IPCC 4th Assessment Report 2007
Climate change
• Since 2007: research data on high side of projections
• Arctic sea ice in rapid retreat
• Changes ‘in the pipe’already
National Snow and Ice Data Center 2008Nature Magazine
In the West Midlands…
• Winter rainfall could increase by up to 20% and summer rainfall could decrease by up to 30%
• By the 2020s a flooding event similar to the one experienced in Autumn 2000 could cost WM agriculture £20 million
• The cost of disruption to transport could be between £30 million and £80 million
Climate change…
• Acting means massive change• Not acting means massive change
• Conclusion…?
So why a vision of a low-carbon West Midlands?
• Show that a low-carbon West Midlands is a successful West Midlands
• Show that action on climate change doesn’t have to cost the Earth
• Start a debate
• Prosperous• Better transport• Better local environment• Stronger communities• Healthy
• Pride and unity
At the heart of the vision…
The Lunar Society, 1765 – 1813men and women who forged the industrial revolution
• New and transformed businesses• Alasco Ltd – low-carbon innovation• Haven Hotel, Ludlow• Green motoring
• Smarter, more livable places• Birmingham City Centre• Villages• Suburbs• Regeneration
• Happy people!
At the heart of the vision…
Energy
• 20% reduction in energy consumption on 2004 levels
• 20% of energy from renewable sources• Micro-generation & feed-in tariffs• Bio-digesters• Wind• Combined Heat and Power• Carbon Capture and Storage
Land
• Drier soils, flood threat
• Easier winters for livestock, new types of crop
• Land for adaptation• Local production• Urban farming
Housing
• New build is ‘zero-carbon’• Retro-fit is big business• Use of smart metering• Housing enables low-carbon lifestyles…
Transport
• Cars go electric• Investment in integrated public transport• Shift freight to rail• Roll-out of ‘velib’ model for bikes and cars• Demand reduction using ICT
Work
• More efficient office space• Seasonal working?
• Working from home
• Manufacturing low-carbon technology, green motoring
• Leveraging skills base for a new industrial revolution
Using the vision
• A starting point for debate• A guide for policy and strategy• What do you think?
thank you
Contact details:
Ann-Marie BrouderForum for the Future
a.brouder@forumforthefuture.orgTel: +44 (0) 773 068 0603
Contact details
Ann-Marie Brouder
Forum for the Future
E a.brouder@forumforthefuture.orgT +44 (0)773 068 0603Web www.forumforthefuture.org
John Walker
Senior Research AnalystWest Midlands Regional Observatory
E john.walker@wmro.orgT +44 (0)121 202 3246Web www.wmro.orgBlog http://wmro.wordpress.com