Climate Change Local Area Support Programme (CLASP) June newsletter

**  NW Carbon Challenge Fund Now Open  **

Up to 50% grant funding is available for public sector applicants to a new £2million fund that has just been opened by NWDA.  The Carbon Challenge Fund will provide grants of between £100,000 and £500,000 to new projects that can demonstrate significant carbon savings - accelerating the Northwest region's transition to a low carbon economy.  

Further information can be found at http://www.envirolinknorthwest.co.uk/carbonchallengefund or via Ross Dixon, Envirolink on 01925 856040, r.dixon@envirolinknorthwest.co.uk 

NI 185 - Carbon Reduction Commitment Update  

All the information and presentations from the April Environment Agency road show on the CRC are now online and provide an excellent summary for anybody who was not able to attend.  The latest news is online on this webpage. 

Searching for additional information?

•  View the CRC User Guide ─ a step-by-step practical tool for those within your organisation responsible for CRC compliance. 
• Gain advice from your peers ─  B&Q, Bristol City Council, Citigroup and Punch Taverns...and more. 
• Review the Environment Agency's FAQ section ─ find answers to frequently asked questions.

Upcoming mailing
During May-June 2009, the Environment Agency will send a letter to the billing address of all half-hourly electricity meters settled on the half-hourly market.  This letter includes information relating to electricity consumption, during the 2008 CRC qualification year, through those meters. 

NI 185 - Lowering Emissions from your Sub-Let Building Stock

"Green Leases" can be used as a tool to promote lower carbon behaviour in occupiers of commercial and residential buildings. The idea originated in Australia and is now mandatory for leases of Australian government buildings of over 2000m2 and for a term of 2 years or more.
 
CLASP does not endorse any legal advisors service, but we wanted to share a presentation that one company have prepared, which may give you some ideas about applying similar principles through your own agreements.

NI 186 -  New Resources

The Energy Saving Trust has updated its guide to Local Authority resources and support, and launched a new section of its website specifically on NI 186.

From CLASP
Next week you will all receive a copy (by email) of the 10 new CLASP NI 186 fact-sheets that many of you were involved in consultation for earlier this year.  These are initially being made available as PDFs and orders will be taken for hard copies.

NI 188 - New NW Adaptation Group Meets

The 28th April saw the first meeting of The NW Local Authority Climate Change Adaptation Group.  This group is intended to provide a forum for local authorities to discuss and address climate change adaptation priorities.
 
It is expected that the group will meet 3 or 4 times a year and will champion adaptation issues with CLASP. If you would like to be involved and are not already please contact martin.wood@gonw.gsi.gov.uk

CLASP Events in the next month

26th June                        Beacon Councils Visit CLASP             Warrington

CLASP is hosting a visit of the Beacon Councils and IDeA to the North West for a best practice exchange event.  Come along and hear from City of London, Eastleigh, Worcestershire and Kirklees.  A discussion panel and workshop will follow, facilitated by Quantum. 

To find out more about our visitors (Eastleigh, City of London, Worcestershire, IDeA & Kirklees) and read some new case studies take a look at the "Tackling Climate Change " webpages

CLASP members will have received an invitation already.  If you have not, or have still to book email pat.aspinall@4nw.org.uk  

1st July      am                 ENWORKS & CLASP Workshop           Warrington

10th July    pm                 ENWORKS & CLASP Workshop           Kendal

Two (identical) half-day workshops aiming to demonstrate ENWORKS' and Environment Connect's work,services and help on offer to Local Authorities.  This will include improving supply chains & helping identify and engage with businesses that have the highest potential to make carbon savings.

Data will also be made available on the day showing the carbon saving impact that ENWORKS interventions have made in each LA area since 2005 which may be useful for NI 186 monitoring.

CLASP members will have received an invitation already.  If you have not, or are still to book please email pat.aspinall@4nw.org.uk.

Climate Changes Everything

Oxfam Campaigns in the North West would love to hear from Authorities that are interested in working with Oxfam to explore how the international impact of climate change can be used to raise awareness and achieve change in the UK. 

Liverpool City Council has piloted some work on this with young people, whilst Brighton and Hove focussed on adaptation awareness with whole communities. 

There is more information here on the CLASP website, or contact Chris Worrall, Oxfam on cworrall@oxfam.org.uk or 0161 234 2792.

Looking for a Northwest Research Partner?

Do you need help identifying environmental research expertise in Northwest
Universities?   If you wish to collaborate with a Northwest university and the environmental sector then register to gain free access to the Envirolink Northwest database  

Do you know...?

How Greenhouse Gases were discovered?
 
In May 1859, six months before the publication of On the Origin of Species, Irish physicist John Tyndall proved that some gases have a remarkable capacity to hang onto heat, so demonstrating the physical basis of the greenhouse effect. Charles Darwin had journeyed round the world and ruminated for 20 years before presenting his inflammatory ideas on evolution. Tyndall spent just a few weeks experimenting in a windowless basement lab in London.
 
This article from New Scientist is well worth a read and provides a short, accessible and interesting overview of this discovery, and why its importance was overlooked for so long.

What is happening 13th - 17th July?

The LGA Small Change, Big Difference climate change week takes place from 13 - 17 July and aims to put the spotlight on what councils are doing to help their residents reduce their carbon footprint.  There is still time to join the campaign, contact francesca.rhodes@lga.gov.uk to find out more.