Sustainability

What does it mean?
Sustainability has been defined as 'development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs' (Bruntland 1987).

This means that whilst continuing to meet current needs, for example, food shelter, health and well being, economic and financial security, equity and governance, resources which sustain activity are conserved, sustained and expanded so that future generation's needs are accounted for and invested in. Sustainability has a very long term focus on the planet and its ability to sustain human well being.

In meeting current levels of growth the UK, along with other developed nations need around 3 planets to sustain all human activity, and this means that we are using resources faster than the global environment can replace them - if at all. This is clearly unsustainable and action to reverse this trend is a priority. Achieving sustainable levels of resources can be described as doing more with less, in terms of lifestyle patterns and choices, complemented by behavioural change. This means we have to change the way we work, travel & live!

Climate Change
Why are we concerned?
It is now internationally recognised that the way we live impacts on the global environment, and these effects are far reaching and could be devastating. You can term it 'Global warming' 'Climate Change' 'Green House Effect' or 'Carbon Footprint' but environmental damage as a result of the emissions we are all responsible for represents our greatest environmental, social and economic challenge.

Scientific evidence demonstrating that we are changing the global climate is compelling, and science has identified links with significant changes in temperature, rainfall, sea levels and extremes of weather. In the UK we have seen many of these impacts in recent years as the climate struggles to maintain its balance.

You may throw up hands and consider it too large to be tackled locally but Local Authorities as leaders of the community want to encourage communities, businesses and individuals to take steps to reduce their impacts, as we are all responsible for our actions which create emissions.

Producing energy through burning fuels emits carbon, reducing carbon emissions is a means of demonstrating successful efforts to reduce consumption in one area of natural resources - fossil fuels. Carbon plays a significant role in climate change chemistry and its control has been highlighted as a key issue in measuring Sustainability.

Saving Fuel is Cool and FREE
Free cavity wall and roof insulation is available to South Bucks residents!

South Bucks District Council has teamed up with Cocoon to offer FREE home insulation to South Bucks residents.

Subject to a free, no obligation home survey, home owners can get free cavity wall insulation, and free loft insulation if the loft has less than 60mm of pre-existing insulation. This FREE * offer is on a first-come first-served basis until September 2012 or until funds run out. You can apply fast on-line, or phone between 9am and 9pm, Monday to Friday.

website: cocoonyourhome.co.uk
phone: 0800 80 48 777

* Further charges might apply if your property is larger than average for the number of bedrooms, or if access to walls or loft is restricted or extra vents are required.

The Bucks Fire & Rescue Service is working with Cocoon to promote home insulation to local residents through their ‘Home Fire Risk Checks’. For a free ‘Home Risk Fire Check’ apply to Bucks Fire & Rescue Service or call them on 01296 744477.

The offer is being managed by comparison service Cocoon which is run by United Sustainable Energy Agency, the independent not-for-profit organisation which operates your local Energy Saving Trust advice centre.

Renewable Heat Premium Scheme
Improving the energy efficiency of your home is one of the simplest ways of saving energy and combating rising energy prices. And the good news is – getting it installed may not cost as much as you think!

Phase 2 of the Renewable Heat Premium Scheme, due in 2013, will provide grants towards the cost of installing renewable heating systems such as biomass boilers, air, ground and water source heat pumps and solar thermal panels.

The Renewable Heat Premium Scheme is run by the Energy Saving Trust. For further information and to register your interest in the Scheme, please call the Energy Saving Trust on 0300 123 1234 or visit the Energy Saving Trust website.

Try the UK Carbon Foot Print Challenge!
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What is the District Council doing about Sustainability and Climate Change?
One of the Councils key aims is to: -

• 'endeavour to make our environment measurably cleaner, healthier and managed in a way to preserve it for future generations'.

This is integrated across all services areas within the Council and there are some excellent examples of best practice. The Council is committed to improving the health and well being of residents and visitors to South Bucks, and a good environment is a basis for good health and a good economy.

What are we doing now?

Carbon Emissions Reporting
National Indicator 185
Since 2009/10, the Council, together with its contractors and other partners, has reduced its carbon emissions by 16%. For these reductions, the Council followed the carbon emissions reductions methodology set out under National Indicator 185 (NI185), ‘reducing carbon emissions from its own estate’. The NI 185 methodology was set out by the Government and was very detailed so the Council is confident of its carbon reductions.

New Carbon Emissions Reporting
Since April 2011, Councils have been requested to continue reducing their carbon emissions using a new methodology. The methodology is set out in ‘Guidance on how to measure and report your greenhouse gas emissions’, Department of Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA 2009), and is much less detailed than the required emissions data required under NI185. Consequently, the Council’s emissions, since 2009/10 recalculated under the new methodology, now show a reduction of 6.4%.

Local Authorities have been requested by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to report annually on their carbon emissions, and at the same time, set targets to reduce emissions. Please click on the link below for South Bucks District Council’s first Carbon Emissions Report.



Headline Information from the Carbon Emissions Reduction Report

• The Council’s carbon emissions reduction target to reduce its carbon emissions by 2011/12 is 7.74%.
• In the two years between 2009/10 to 2010/11, the Council has reduced its carbon emissions by 6.4%

For further information please contact the Planning & Sustainability Officer or call 01895 837280 (Direct Line)

Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy
Sustainability is considered in all of our decisions from procurement to planning considerations. The Council has a Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy to ensure that sustainable, carbon reducing actions are delivered across all Council services, ensuring that achievements in Sustainability are measured.



Energy Action Plan
The Council is also reducing its energy use. The Council is working with the Carbon Trust and Energy Savings Trust to reduce its energy consumption across the Council estate, starting at Capswood. Energy efficiencies reduce carbon emissions and costs.


What can I do?
Communities and Climate Change
We can all help to reduce greenhouse gasses carbon emissions by adopting simple life style changes.

Some simple steps you can take are:

• Change your light bulbs to ones that are low energy
• Use your car less and travel by public transport. If you must drive you can reduce your impact by driving carefully and ensuring your car is regularly serviced. Institute of Advanced Motorists. (Opens new window) Take a passenger or find a lift - car sharing makes economic as well as environmental sense.
• Remember to turn off your lights, your TV remote and your computer
• Walk or cycle to the shops
• Use your local services more; you will also be supporting your local economy
• Turn your heating down by 1oC and you can save up to 8% on your energy bill
• Wash on a 30o cycle rather than 40o
• Insulate your hot water tank with a jacket - it only costs a few pounds and, with all the heat it traps in, it pays for itself within months
• Insulating your loft is one of the simplest ways to save energy - you can even install it yourself. Insulate your loft today and in a year you could save between £180 and £220
• When purchasing new appliances, always look for the Energy Saving Recommended logo. Energy Saving Recommended appliances are the most efficient in their category and could save you up to £45 a year
• Take an online home energy check with the Energy Savings Trust

For further information on how to change: -

• Call the Energy Savings Trust on 0800 512 012 or at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk (Opens new window to external site) to find out how energy efficient you are, and how you can make savings
• The Renewable Energy Centre (Opens new window to external site) 
• The Recycling Expert (Opens new window to external site) 
• Energy Saving Secrets (Opens new window to external site) 
• Eco Friendly Kids (Opens new window to external site) 
• Eco Travelling (Opens new window to external site) 
• Eco Holidaying (Opens new window to external site) 
• Sustainable Build (Opens new window to external site) 
• Sustainable Stuff (Opens new window to external site)  
• Find local-food (Opens new window to external site) 
• Choose British (Opens new window to external site) 
• Cycling For Fun (Opens new window to external site) 
• BBC Climate Change (Opens new window to external site) 

Businesses and Climate Change
You can find out how your organisation can reduce your energy and water bills, install renewable energy, reduce and recycle your waste and implement good fleet management and travel plans. Often efficiencies can be found which will enable you to save money by reducing energy. Free advice can be sought from the Carbon Trust. (Opens new window to carbon Trust).

More and more consumers are taking into account the environmental credentials of suppliers and their products, so it makes sound commercial sense to become energy smart. Organisations wishing to go further in demonstrating their commitment can develop their own Environmental Management System which may be accredited by EMAS or ISO14001. (Opens new window to EMAS website)

For business energy solutions contact the Carbon Trust at www.carbontrust.co.uk  (Opens new window to Carbon Trust)