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Microsoft Word - CC Newsletter Jan 12.docxEnvironmental Policy Consulting
January 2012 Climate Change Newsleter
1. Oh yes it is
The government has published the UK’s first Climate Change Risk Asesment, setting out key
impacts for the UK and adaptation policies that might be neded. The water sector report identifies 10
key risks, noting that “the water industry has a high level of awarenes of potential climate change
impacts”, although “these may be intensified by interdependencies with other sectors”. Increased
competition for, and greater variability in the availability of, water is one of the key risks identified
for busines, particularly towards the midle of the century.
The government has also published a ‘call for views’ to inform National Adaptation Programe, to be
published in 2013. This will “articulate wel developed policy proposals, but also signal areas for
future development and consideration”.
2. Cinders
2011 was the second warmest year on record for the UK, acording to provisional figures from the
Met Ofice. Rainfal was a more mixed picture, with Scotland having the wetest year on record in
contrast to some areas in England which were notably dry. Globaly, 201 was relatively chily, due to
a cool phase in Atlantic Ocean circulation. Meanwhile, the annual global temperature forecast
sugests that 2012 is expected to be around 0.48 °C warmer than the long-term (1961-1990) global
average of 14.0°C. This would put 2012 in the top ten warmest years since 1850.
3. Beauty and the Beast
The anual UK water industry sustainability report shows that renewable energy generation increased
by over 30% in 2010/11, compared to the previous year. Despite this, grenhouse gas emissions rose,
to over 5 million tones CO
2
e.
4. Fairy Godmother
Ofwat’s forward programe promises ‘clarity’ around the regulator’s expectations on climate change,
with a policy statement due in the autumn along with a framework to incentivise eficient and low
carbon approaches. Consultation on the programme is open until 6 February.
5. Jack and the Beanstalk
DEC has published its First Progres Report on the Promotion and Use of Energy from Renewable
Sources for the UK. It shows that renewable energy acounted for 54TWh (3.3%) of the UK’s total
energy consumption in 2010 – showing impressive growth of 27% over the 2 year period covered by
the report.
6. Ugly Sisters
A recent report for DEC on the potential impact of revised Renewables Obligation technology bands
wil inform the review of bands to take efect from April 2013. Four banding options were modeled,
with ‘sewage gas’ receiving a maximum of 0.5 ROCs in the analysis. Perhaps surprisingly, renewable
energy from sewage is assumed to fall significantly under the baseline ‘do nothing’ scenario over the
next 30 years or so, as wel as under al four options.
7. Panto Dames
The government has lost its apeal on Feed-in Tariffs, meaning that its attempt to cut subsidies for
solar energy from December 12 last year were ilegal. The government is now seking to apeal to the
Supreme Court.
8. Butons
The Environment Agency has opened a short, on-line survey to gather views on the tools and
guidance it should develop as part of its adaptation support activities, recently transfered from
UKCIP. The research wil inform a programe of work, beginning from April 2012, which wil
include an updated website containing information and guidance. The closing date is 6 February.
9. Sleping Beauty
A new initiative from the European Comision funded TRUST (Transitions to the Urban Water
Services of Tomorow) project explores the sustainability of water services in Europe and Africa. It
outlines a number of "promising interventions", some of which wil be implemented and tested in nine
participating pilot cities or regions
10. Litle Red Riding Hod
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has released a report on Managing the Risks of
Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation. It integrates climate science,
disaster risk management and adaptation, and evaluates the role of climate change in altering
characteristics of extreme events. It also incorporates case studies and assesses experience of
institutions, organizations, and comunities to reduce exposure and vulnerability, and improve
resilience, to climate extremes. These cover early-warning systems, inovations in insurance
coverage, improvements in infrastructure, and the expansion of social safety nets.
11. Goldilocks
Thre of the world’s largest investor loby groups that manage almost US$21 trillion in asets have
agreed a strategy to integrate climate change risks and oportunities into their investment portfolios.
The expectations set out for companies include investing to minimise the risks from climate change
and to reduce greenhouse gas emisions.
12. He’s behind you
A new report from the United States sugests that climate change is already afecting water utilities.
Impacts already being felt include more frequent and extreme storms, drought, and sea-level rise. The
impacts are exacerbated by population growth and urban design.
13. Conferences
The future of the water industry – post White Paper 2 Feb London
Recent Advances in Energy Saving in the Water Industry 21 Feb Leds
Water Management in Europe 22-23 Feb Lile
Energy from Waste 22-23 Feb London
World Water-Tech Investment Sumit 28 Feb London
6th World Water Forum: Time for solutions 12-17 Mar Marseile
Climate ek 12-18 Mar London
Natural Capital/ Ecosystem Services for Busines 13 Mar London
Sustainable Water Management 18-21 Mar Oregon
CIWEM Anual Conference 20-21 Mar London
Delivering the Gren Deal 22 Mar London
Waterwise conference 22-23 ar Oxford
The Future of Utilities 27-29 Mar London
Urban Water 2012 25-27 Apr New Forest
IWA World Congres on Water, Climate and Energy 13-18 May Dublin
Water Innovation Europe 15-16 May Brussels
2012 - Changing the Water Industry for a Sustainable Legacy 17-18 May London
Busines or the Environment 21-23 May Berlin
Gren Wek 22-25 May Brussels
Earth Systems Enginering 2012: Sustainable adaptation to global change 3-5 July Newcastle
World Water Week 26-31 August Stockholm
6th European Water and Wastewater Management Conference 9-10 Oct Manchester
To unsubscribe from or provide fedback on this newsleter, just drop me an email at
bruce@envpolconsulting.co.uk
