The UK government has set the world’s most ambitious climate change target1 into law to reduce emissions by 78% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels.

In line with the recommendation from the independent Climate Change Committee, this sixth Carbon Budget limits the volume of greenhouse gases emitted over a 5-year period from 2033 to 2037, taking the UK more than three-quarters of the way to reaching net zero by 2050. The Carbon Budget will ensure Britain remains on track to end its contribution to climate change while remaining consistent with the Paris Agreement temperature goal to limit global warming to well below 2°C and pursue efforts towards 1.5°C.

The UK Climate Impact Profile (UKCIP) projected in 2009 that the following changes are likely to occur in the West Midlands under a medium emissions scenario2.

Impact By 2020s By 2050s By 2080s
Hotter, drier summers Average mean summer temperature rise by 1.50 C Average mean summer temperature rises by 2.60 C Average mean summer temperature rises by 3.70 C
Average summer precipitation reduces by 7% Average summer precipitation reduces by 17% Average summer precipitation reduces by 30%
Milder, wetter winters Average winter temperature rises by 1.30 C Average winter temperature rises by 2.10 C Average winter temperature rises by 2.90 C
Average precipitation rises by 5% Average precipitation rises by 13% Average precipitation rises by 17%

(Source: UK Climate Impact Profile 09)

 

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (defra) has published a strategy “ACT on CO2” to persuade each and everyone of us to reduce our carbon emissions. “ACT on CO2” goes beyond just increasing awareness and influencing attitudes to encourage genuine, meaningful behaviour change3.

 

Actions being taken by Lickey and Blackwell Parish Council (LBPC)

  • Energy efficient lighting
  • Green community building
  • Planting trees
  • Encouraging residents to use public services, bikes, cutting car emissions

Our Environment policy can be read here

 LBPC in association with Centre for Sustainable Energy have devised a Carbon Footprint tool, which measures the total territorial footprint and consumption-based footprint.

The Territorial footprint measures arising from within the Parish and includes industrial, commercial, domestic, agricultural, road transport emissions.

The consumption-based footprint measures household data and looks at how people in a given locality live their lives and includes:

  • Gas, oil and electricity consumed in homes
  • Type of food
  • Clothing
  • Use of appliances
  • Car ownership and miles driven

The graph below shows the Carbon footprint for the residents of Lickey and Blackwell.

A comparison of household consumption between Lickey and Blackwell and Bromsgrove District Council shows a considerable difference in:

  • Consumption of goods
  • Housing
  • Travel

What can we do as residents of Lickey and Blackwell to reduce our carbon footprint?

 As an individual household you can undertake a Carbon Footprint test using the WWF Calculator at https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/#/

 

It has 25 Questions (4 on food, 7 on travel, 8 on home and 6 on other stuff)

As one starts to fill these questions, methods to reduce carbon footprint are given next to the questions.

Once you have completed the questionnaire you will get your carbon footprint (example below).

Initially our footprint will look very good as we are not travelling much but once restrictions are lifted our footprint will alter and as a result we will need to make adjustments in our lives to decrease the carbon emissions.

Once you have completed the survey, please complete the form below and submit it anonymously. The Parish council will upload the cumulative data for the residents and you can repeat this test every few months to see if changes in lifestyle have altered your footprint.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc5Xq4N9sfP9pVPu6qcjRMjdvzy9PsKHknfVRZzckdsO5Vhhw/viewform?usp=sf_link

References

  1. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-enshrines-new-target-in-law-to-slash-emissions-by-78-by-2035
  2. https://www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/media/751947/0111-BAO765-Climate-Change-Strategy-REVISED.pdf
  3. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/218799/tackling-climate-change.pdf
  4. https://www.lickeyandblackwellpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/PC-Envrioment-Policy-Dec-20.pdf
  5. https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/#/