Climate Change Tools for Local
Authorities
CC06
November, 2007
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Background to the research
Local authorities in Scotland are taking action in support of Scotland’s
Climate Change Declaration which contains
commitments associated with reducing greenhouse gas emissions and
adapting to the impacts of climate change. This requires local
authorities to assess their contribution to climate change and the
impacts of climate change on their services and communities, and to
develop strategies to respond.
There is an increasing amount of information, tools, programmes and
methodologies available that could help local authorities deliver the
commitments in Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration. In
recognition of this, CAG Consultants, in partnership with the Scottish
Institute of Sustainable Technology (SISTech) and MWH were commissioned
by the Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research
(SNIFFER) to evaluate their strengths, limitations, and the
compatibility of greenhouse gas emissions mitigation and climate change
adaptation tools. The research, which is funded by the Scottish
Government, has produced a Climate Change Tools Database and supporting
guidance for local authorities on Selecting the Right Tools for the
Right Jobs.
Objectives for the research
The specific objectives of the research were to:
- Identify a comprehensive list of ‘greenhouse gas
emissions mitigation and adaptation tools, programmes and
methodologies’ available for use by local authorities;
- Map the strengths, limitations and compatibility of these
approaches;
- Map the capacities of these tools and their providers, and
to qualify and quantify the nature and amount of work involved,
including the costs, time and skills required, in using the tools;
- Review existing research on these mitigation and adaptation
approaches, as they relate to the work and processes of local
authorities, or associated regimes that could inform/input into climate
change work;
- Provide guidance to local authorities to help them select
the ‘right tool’ for the ‘right
job’in order to inform local authority take up and
application of these tools.
19 tools were evaluated as part of the project, using information
collated from individuals and organisations involved in developing and
managing the tools, using an on-line questionnaire, telephone
interviews and desk research. A selection of local authority officers
were invited to a round table event in September 2007 to understand
their needs, views and experience in using tools for addressing climate
change.
Key findings and
recommendations
The main report identifies the strengths and limitations of a range of
tools; and evaluates them against their ability to help local
authorities meet Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration
commitments; to perform a variety of jobs; and in meeting the needs and
capacities of local authorities. The accompanying database and guidance
can be accessed at http://www.sustainable-scotland.net/climatechange.
The research highlighted a number of ways in which policy makers, tool
providers, researchers and local authorities could strengthen the
development of tools to address climate change. In particular, there is
a need for:
- Tools which clearly explain how they can help local
authorities deliver specific climate change commitments;
- More feedback from local authorities on the experience of
using climate change tools to inform future tool development, including
the Climate Change Tools Database developed as part of this project;
- Future evaluation of individual tools and the choice
available;
- Consistent standards and verification of local data used to
inform local emissions’ baselines;
- Clear and regular advice on the changing national
commitments to climate change and the expectations on local authorities
to deliver them;
- Strengthened tools and support for local
authorities’ ‘climate change-proofing’of
strategies, plans and programmes;
- More ‘hand-holding’ support for local
authorities who are embarking on developing climate change strategies
and action plans; and using tools to do so;
- Opportunities and mechanisms for local authorities to share
their experience in developing responses to climate change and using
tools.
Key words: climate change, carbon dioxide, greenhouse gases, local
authority, mitigation, adaptation, tools
Copies of this report are available from the Foundation, in electronic
format on CDRom at £20.00 + VAT or hard copy at
£25.00, less 20% to FWR members.
N.B.
The report is available for download from the SNIFFER Website