Climate change is happening, and the science is now relatively well understood with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change leaving us in no doubt that human activity is the primary cause.
The urgent need is both to reduce emissions through mitigation and to ensure that the region's economy can adapt to likely changes that will result from global warming. Those changes are identified in the South West Climate Change Impacts Partnership report 'Warming to the idea...', and include the likelihood of a warmer, drier spring, summer and autumn, and a milder, wetter winter, with increased incidents of storm events.
Adaptation is vital to anticipate the challenges and opportunities of climate change. For example, development plans must take account of greater likelihood of flooding while domestic and commercial buildings must cope with a warmer climate without increasing energy consumption for cooling. Rising temperatures in Southern European resorts could be an opportunity for our region, as could the growing of marginal species like vines and olives.
The Stern Review on the economics of climate change, published in 2006, assessed the economics of moving to a low carbon economy and the potential for different approaches for adaption to climate change. The Stern Review estimates that if we don't act, the overall costs and risks of climate change will be equivalent to losing at least 5% of global GDP each year, now and forever. If a wider range of risks and impacts is taken into account, the estimates of damage could rise to 20% of GDP or more. In contrast, the costs of action - reducing greenhouse gas emissions to avoid the worst impacts of climate change - can be limited to around 1% of global GDP each year.
We have a responsibility to lead the region's economic response to this unprecedented challenge, and to promote more sustainable development. The nature of our region also means that we have an opportunity to lead other regions in addressing climate change, and to put South West England at the forefront of technological, economic and business response.
Providing vision, direction and leadership
The South West Regional Economic Strategy aims to deliver economic growth within environmental limits. Our Corporate Plan also has the ambitious aim of a net zero-carbon investment portfolio by the end of 2013.
People and skills
We provide support to develop and better use the skills needed to develop a low carbon, resource efficient economy. The Peninsula Research Institute for Marine Renewable Energy ( www.primare.org) is an example of our ambition to support world-class applied research in low carbon technology.
Science innovation
We are increasing collaboration between higher education and business on topics relevant to a low carbon economy. We are working to establish South West England as a leading international region in the development and commercial application of environmental technologies. For instance, through Airbus we are providing support to develop a new aircraft engine that has the potential to reduce dramatically carbon dioxide emissions.
Supporting business and encouraging enterprise
Through Business Link, we provide a channel for business to access a range of products and services that will support them in improving their resource efficiency and becoming low carbon businesses.
Developing a low carbon economy
We are focussing additional effort and funding in three key areas: resource efficiency, energy technologies and waste.
With the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales we are also looking at new business models for a low carbon future, and we sponsored the region's first Low Carbon Innovation Exchange to share best practice.
Sustainable communities
We demand high environmental standards in all the developments we fund, and will increasingly reduce their carbon footprint. We are also funding a number of low carbon exemplar projects such as the Bristol and Bath Science Park.
The region's communications infrastructure
We invest in low carbon transport such as rail improvements on the London Waterloo line and are working with local authorities to develop sustainable transport projects. We also promote information and telecommunication infrastructure that encourage green travel.
Regional networks
We support a number of networks that provide specialist expertise and capacity around a low carbon economy, or help us deliver our low carbon ambition. These include Future Foundations, the region's sustainable construction network; Sustainability South West; Regen SW, providing support to the renewable energy sector; and the South West Climate Change Impacts Partnership.
Promoting Sustainable Development
We aim to derive environmental, social and economic benefits from the economic activity we promote and support the principles of sustainable development.
This means:
By committing to the principles of sustainable development in what we do as a region, we can leave a positive legacy for future generations whilst addressing our current needs to grow.
Sustainability South West
Sustainability South West (SSW) is the independent Champion Body for sustainable development in the South West of England. SSW are an awareness raising and advisory charity supporting action on sustainability and providing information and tools to make the most of a sustainable approach.
Sustainable Construction
Sustainable Construction is new building and refurbishment that promotes environmental, social and economic gains now and for the future. This, within the broader concept of Sustainable Development, is about creating a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come. It means recognising that our economy, environment and social well-being are interdependent.
South West England adopted the Sustainable Development Framework - "A Sustainable Future for the South West" - in 2001. It provides a vision, guidelines and objectives for everyone in the region to improve our quality of life now and for future generations.
"We promote the sustainable construction agenda at a development wide level through developing and promoting the use of the South West Sustainability Checklist. The Checklist is a new, easy-to-use online tool that has been developed by Future Foundations and BRE. Devised specifically to guide the design of new developments. The Checklist covers regionally specific sustainability and planning issues, emphasising those of higher priority. It can also be adapted to reflect locally significant concerns.
We assist with knowledge networking and facilitating champions of sustainable construction through our funding of Future Foundations. Future Foundations have championed the awareness and embedding of sustainable construction through such activates as developing the FF Charter and subsequently the SW Sustainability Checklist. The Charter contains 17 topic based sections for companies and bodies to pledge their support to.
At a project level we strive to deliver upper quartile environmental sustainability by meeting the targets depicted in the Governments Common Minimum Standard for our projects. We ensure this agenda is embedded in our delivery process by using assessment methods including among others of BREEAM, CEEQUAL and the Code for Sustainable Homes."
For more information visit www.futurefoundations.co.uk.
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