FINAL Draft Climate Change Strategy - Tonbridge and Malling · As a local authority, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council has an important role to play in responding to the challenges

Tonbridge & Malling Climate Change Strategy

Tonbridge And MallingClimate Change Strategy

2008 - 2011



Foreword

Contents

Government and scientists now agree that climate change should be considered as one of today’s mostimportant long term problems. As a local authority, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council has animportant role to play in responding to the challenges posed by climate change particularly whereactions relate to our key services and responsibilities including as a planning authority, in our role asmanagers of waste and as a consumer of resources ourselves.

This Strategy sets out what the Borough Council intends to do to assist with addressing climate changeissues and covers both the contribution our key services can make to this and our leadership rolewithin the community to encourage individuals and businesses to adopt a more sustainable way of life.

The Council has undertaken many sustainable projects over the years as part of the Local Agenda 21Action Plan, which seeks to ensure a better quality of life for everyone now and for generations tocome. This Climate Change Strategy will build on that work with an emphasis on reducing the harmfulemissions that contribute to climate change as well as developing adaptation measures. We need toadapt our way of life so that we can prepare for the changes that are already in the climate system, aswell as limiting our future greenhouse gas emissions.

In order to effectively rise to this challenge,action will be needed by everyone includingindividuals, local community groups andstatutory agencies and we will need towork with partners to raise awareness andhelp to influence change. We will promotethe need for, as well as the benefits ofbehavioural change, working together toreduce the causes of climate change and toachieve a sustainable future.

2. Introduction

3. The Impacts of Climate Change

4. Local and National Policy Context

6. The Borough’s Carbon Footprint

7. Housing and Energy Conservation

9. Transportation and Air Quality

11. Sustainable Development

15. Waste Minimisation and Recycling

17. Community and Business Engagement

19. Lowering our Carbon Footprint at TMBC

22. Adapting to Climate Change

23. Implementation Plan

1.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Mark Worrall and theChief Executive, Mr David Hughes, sign the NottinghamDeclaration on Climate Change.


Why a Climate Change Strategy?

Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council has chosento focus on Climate Change as one of its keypriorities for improvement and will:

“make a positive local contribution totackling the causes and effects of climatechange”.Addressing the effects of climate change canbring social, environmental and financial benefitsfor a local authority, and it is clear that to make asignificant impact the Council needs to workclosely with other bodies including statutoryagencies, local businesses, local communitygroups and individuals.

In 2007 Tonbridge & Malling BoroughCouncil signed up to the NottinghamDeclaration on Climate Change. Thisdeclaration is a voluntary pledge toaddress the issues of climate change.In doing so, Tonbridge and MallingBorough Council has committed toensuring that tackling climate change isa cornerstone of the Council’swork.

The Nottingham Declaration onClimate Change

What is Climate Change?

The climate of the earth is always changing.Previously the climate altered due to naturalcauses. However, the term climate change is nowgenerally used when referring to changesattributable to human behaviour rather thannatural changes. These changes have beenidentified over recent years and predicted overthe next 100 years.

Introduction

What Causes Climate Change?The blanket of gases that keep our planet warmis getting thicker. These gases trap heat near thesurface of the globe and make the world warmer,in fact without these gases the Earth would be afrozen, lifeless ball in space.

Man’s activities are increasing the concentrationof gases in the atmosphere which will make theworld warmer. By burning fossil fuels we addgases to the atmosphere that trap the sun’s heat.This is known as the “Greenhouse Effect” and isa concern for everyone as more heat meansmore unpredictable weather. Predictions aboutthe impact of this include the following:

♦ A rise in sea level (as a result of themelting polar ice caps)

♦ A change in the pattern of rain andsnowfall (some places will get wetter,whilst others drier).

♦ An increase in the frequency of extremeweather events.

UK emissions form a “basket” of six greenhousegases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide,hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons andsulphur hexafluoride). The main contributor toclimate change is carbon dioxide, followed bymethane and we will therefore take these as apriority to form actions in the council’s climatechange strategy.

2.

The Greenhouse EffectSome energy isreflected backout to space

Earth’s surface is heated bythe sun and radiates theheat back out towards space

Greenhousegasses in theatmosphere keepsome of the heat

Solar energy fromthe sun passesthrough theatmosphere


The Impacts of Climate Change

Impacts of climate change will be far reaching and will vary in different parts of the worldParts of the world with higher temperatures, moreheat waves and drought conditions:

♦ Decreased availability and quality of water♦ Reduced crop yields♦ Increased risk of death from heat stress and

serious illness due to heat, humidity and airpollution

♦ Increased heat stress on wildlife/livestock♦ Increased risk of forest fires♦ Increased risk of population displacement

and social/political instablility due toinsecure water and food supplies

Parts of the world with increased precipitation,flooding and sea level rise:

♦ Increased risk of flooding, landslides,mudslides and avalanches.

♦ More people exposed to malaria andwater-borne diseases like cholera

♦ Damage to infrastructure and property♦ Soil erosion♦ Contamination of fresh groundwater with

seawater♦ Shore erosion due to flooding and sea

level rise

Sources of Emissions

Predicted ImpactsThe IPCC (International Panel on ClimateChange) predicts that if the world continues onunsustainable development paths, emissions ofgreenhouse gases will grow by 90% by 2030.

Global emissions of greenhouse gases must peakin the next decade or two and decline to wellbelow current levels by the middle of the centuryif we are to avoid dangerous climate change.

3.

Electricity generation is currently the biggestsingle source of CO2 emissions in the UK,responsible for approximately a third of totalemissions. In addition to this, in 2005 methaneaccounted for about 8 percent of the UK’sgreenhouse gas emissions, with the main sourceof methane coming from landfill sites (40% of thetotal).

Challenges for Tonbridge & MallingClimate change will be a key challenge for Kentand Tonbridge and Malling. We can expectprogressively warmer and drier summers - theexceptional heat wave experienced in 2003 couldbecome normal by the end of the century. Wecan also expect further pressure on waterresources in an area already waterstressed.

It is clear that Kent will face some of the greatestextremes of climate change impacts compared tothe rest of the UK. For example we can alsoexpect milder and wetter winters which willthreaten Kent’s coastal communities and imposea greater risk to households on flood plains.

It is accepted that many of these impacts are nowunavoidable. We must implement mitigationmeasures to reduce further emissions and wemust also adapt to climate change and ensure weare prepared for the effects of a changing climate.

National Indicators for all Local AuthoritiesThe Government has introduced new performance indicators for all local authorities which will comeinto force in April 2008. They include three climate change indicators: CO2 reduction from localauthority operations, per capita reduction in CO2 emissions in the local authority area and adapting toclimate change. Action by local authorities will be critical to the achievement of the Government’sclimate change objectives and these indicators will focus our efforts on mitigation and adaptation to theeffects of climate change.


Local and National Policy Context

Strong and Prosperous CommunitiesLocal Government White Paper

The White Paper gives local government newopportunities to drive local action on climatechange mitigation and action through:

♦ Strong and visible leadership♦ Leading by example through its own

practices and the services it delivers♦ Responding to calls for action and the

priority local people place on tacklingthese issues

♦ Coordinating innovative partnershipswhich can deliver real change.

All local authorities can and should be takingaction to combat climate change, taking intoaccount local circumstances and priorities.

The Bill sets out a framework for moving theUK to a low-carbon economy. Key points ofthe Bill include:

♦ A series of clear targets for reducingcarbon dioxide emissions - includingmaking the UK’s targets for a 60%reduction by 2050 and a 26 to 32%reduction by 2020 legally binding.

♦ A new system of legally binding five year“carbon budgets” to increase the need toinvest in low-carbon technologies.

♦ A new statutory body, the Committee onClimate Change, to provide independent,expert advice and guidance on achievingtargets and staying within carbon budgets.

♦ New powers to enable the Governmentto more easily implement policies to cutemissions.

♦ A requirement for Government toreport at least every five years oncurrent and predicted impacts of climatechange and on its proposals and policyfor adapting to climate change.

Draft Climate Change Bill

Action can be taken to reduce and eventually reverse the growth of greenhouse gas emissions and lessenthe impacts of climate change. International, national and local policies have been adopted to tackle theproblem. There are various climate change legislative drivers and they are continually evolving as thescientific evidence becomes available. In addition to the new climate change indicators for localauthorities, the following examples of legislation will guide and influence the aims and objectives of theClimate Change Strategy for Tonbridge and Malling.

Local Development Framework

Actions within the Council’s Climate ChangeStrategy will not be the only way we will beaddressing climate change. Significantly theLocal Development Framework will includeminimising the impact of development onclimate change and ensuring developmentsare designed in a way so that they can adaptto the unavoidable consequences of climatechange.

South East Plan(Regional Spatial Strategy)

The Strategy defines the region’s prioritiesand targets for the work of all the partners inits delivery - public private and voluntary.

Targets include reducing CO2 emissionsattributable to the South East by 20% by2016 and increase renewable energy to atleast 10% of energy supply in the South Eastby 2010.

4.


This high level document sets out the localcommunity’s priorities for improvement forthe borough. Sustainability is embeddedthroughout the themes in the strategy whichaddress the social, economic andenvironmental well-being of the area and itsinhabitants.

Climate Change andSustainable Energy Act 2006

The principal purpose of the Act is toenhance the UK’s contribution to combatingclimate change. It is also aimed at alleviatingfuel poverty and securing diverse and long-term energy supplies for the UK.

The Act incoporates a wide variety ofmeasures covering the role of:

♦ Local Authorities and parish councils♦ Microgeneration♦ Energy efficiency♦ Building regulations♦ Dynamic demand technologies♦ Community energy schemes and

renewable heat♦ Electricity from renewable sources

The Act places a duty on local authoritieswhen exercising their functions, to haveregard to an “energy measures report” dueto be published by the Secretary of State onways in which they might improve energyefficiency, increase microgeneration, reducegreenhouse gas emissions and alleviate fuelpoverty.

Serving you Better - Towards aSustainable Community Strategy for

Tonbridge and Malling

Climate Change Mitigation andAdaptation Implementation Plan

(SEERA)The South East is forecast to experiencesome of the most severe impacts due toclimate change of any English region over thecoming century. The overall aim is to developa regional plan which sets out actions re-quired by different organisations to mitigateand adapt to the forecast effects on the SouthEast.

In particular it aims to implement Policy CC2:Climate Change in the Draft South East Plan.This will promote measures to mitigate andadapt to the effects of climate change imple-mented through application of local planningpolicy.

Home Energy Conservation Act 1995(HECA)

HECA came about primarily as a result ofprinciples agreed at the Earth Summit in Rio.It recognises the need to reduce energyconsumption and the emission of the variousgreenhouse gases responsible for globalwarming. HECA required local authorities toreport on energy consumption levels in theresidential sector as at 1 April 1996, and howthey were going to increase the energyefficiency of those dwellings by 30% over thenext 10 to 15 years.

Local authorities are now required toproduce annual returns to DEFRA to reporton the percentage improvement in energyefficiency. HECA focuses attention on energyin homes and, in so doing, seeks to tackle theproblems of fuel poverty and climate change.

5.


The Borough’s Carbon Footprint

Setting Targets

In order to set targets to reduce ouremissions, we need to know what thesituation is now for Tonbridge and Malling. To dothis we need to establish our “CarbonFootprint”.

Carbon footprint is arepresentation of the effecthuman activities have on theclimate in terms of the totalamount of greenhouse gasesproduced.

Until this data is readily available, we have usedDefra statistics of carbon dioxide emissionswhich have been produced for each localauthority area. These statistics have beencompiled in order to monitor progress againstdomestic and international targets such as theKyoto Protocol.

It is important to recognise that circumstancesvary enormously between authorities and thatlocal authorities have relatively little influenceover some types of emissons. We have taken theestimate statistics for Tonbridge and Malling andchosen to compare with the average estimateemissions for all the 12 local authority areas inKent.

It is currently difficult to gain accurate data toestablish the carbon footprint of a local authorityarea. However, work is being undertakenthrough the Local Government PerformanceFramework to standardise carbon footprintmethodology for all Local Authorities in thefuture.

Figure 1 shows that emissions from industry inTonbridge and Malling is below the Kentaverage. However, road transport is showinghigher than average emissions. It is clear thataction to tackle climate change needs toaddress all of these sectors in order to achievea significant reduction in carbon emissions.

What can Tonbridge and Malling do?

There is much we can do locally to reduce ourcarbon footprint in Tonbridge and Malling andlessen our impact on the environment.

The following themes will be highlighted withinthis strategy as we believe they are crucialareas where the Council can have an impact onthe causes and effects of climate change:

♦ Housing and Energy Conservation♦ Transportation and Air Quality♦ Sustainable Development♦ Waste Minimisation and Recycling♦ Community and Business Engagement♦ Sustainable TMBC♦ Adapting to Climate Change

These themes will now be considered in turn.

Figure 1: Estimated Carbon Emissions 2004

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Kent

IndustryDomesticRoad Transport

6.


Domestic Energy Conservation

The Government highlights improving energyefficiency in housing as the fastest and most costeffective means of saving energy, reducing carbonemissions and combating climate change. TheSustainable Energy Act 2003 targets a saving of3.5 million tonnes of carbon from residentialproperties in England through energy efiiciencymeasures by 2010.

It is recommended that activities to reduceenergy use should be based around the EnergyHierarchy (Figure 2).

Figure 2 : Energy Hierarchy

The hierarchy establishes the priority for allenergy related issues and the implementation ofinitiatives should reflect this prioritisation. Inpractice, the different elements in the hierarchyare usually considered together.

Housing and Energy Conservation

7.

Reduce the need for energy

Use energy more efficiently

Use renewable energy sources

Use clean fossil fuels,

CHP

Reduce the need for energy

Use energy more efficiently

Use renewable energy sources

Use clean fossil fuels,

CHP

What has the Borough Council done?

There is already a range of activities undertakenthroughout the borough:

♦ Warm Homes Assistance - a Council grantscheme to ensure homes have adequateheating and insulation and are more energyefficient. This reduces the effects of climatechange and the level of fuel poverty in theborough and ensures properties meet theDecent Homes Standard.

♦ Kent Energy Advice Centre (KEC)- offers freeand impartial energy saving advice toTonbridge and Malling residents, including theprovision of a free phone number andwebsite.

♦ Kent Action to Save Heat - a Kent wide bulkdiscount scheme for various sustainableenergy measures.

Private Sector Housing

Since 1995 the Home Energy Conservation Act(HECA) has required local authorities to reporton the percentage improvement in energyefficiency in private sector housing.

The Council’s Private Sector Housing Survey2006 estimated the energy efficiency of dwellingsin the borough. 10.8% of dwellings failed to meetthe energy efficiency requirements of the DecentHomes Standard. The survey findings were usedto update our Housing Assistance Policy and ourapproach to tackling energy conservation in theprivate housing sector.

Our energy conservation work is deliveredthrough a combination of advice, education,marketing and promotion, energy efficiencyschemes, grants and discounts delivered inpartnership with other agencies.

The Decent Homes Standard aims to providea minimum standard for housing whichincludes a reasonable degree of thermalcomfort.


Actions for the futureAs part of our Energy Efficiency Action Plan,future objectives include:

♦ Achieve a 3% annual improvement inenergy efficiency across all housingsectors between 2007- 2010.

♦ Investigate and secure fundingopportunities on a regional andsub-regional basis to improve poorcondition housing in the private sector.

♦ Work in partnership with KEEP and KECto investigate and secure funding todevelop and provide a Kent wide HomeVisitor Service to provide energyefficiency advice (including advice forhard to treat homes), benefit checks,debt advice and home improvementadvice.

♦ Seek sources of funding to expand theWarm Homes Assistance and energyefficiency initiatives.

♦ Investigate funding opportunities forpromotion of renewable energymeasures in the private housing sector.

♦ Promote the use of renewable energytechnology with our RSL partners, forexample, by encouraging new affordablehousing schemes to incorporaterenewable energy measures.

Social Housing

The Authority has 13 registered social landlords(RSLs) managing 7646 social housing units in theborough. The largest of these is Russet Homes,which is responsible for 6400 properties in theborough.

There are potential energy reductions that canbe made through this sector and we will workclosely with RSLs to achieve them. From 2008RSLs are required by the Housing Corporationto meet the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3.The Code provides a single national standard indesign and construction which seeks to achievehigh levels of energy performance in the designof new homes. The Council will continue towork in partnership with RSLs to encouragethem to aspire to above level 3 and incorporaterenewable measures in affordable housingschemes.

8.


The Borough Council has utilised varioussupport mechanisms in partnership with theKEC. As a member of the Kent EnergyEfficiency Partnership (KEEP), we have workedwith the the KEC to bring in funding for a rangeof other sustainable energy measures throughoutKent including:

♦ Energy Efficiency for Landlords Scheme,targeted both landlords and tenants topromote the benefits of energy efficiencyimprovements.

♦ The Hotspots scheme, targeted energyefficiency marketing at identified“hotspots” of areas of poorly insulatedhouses or houses where older inefficientboilers are found.

♦ Promoted the installation of renewableenergy measures through our solar hotwater scheme with 22 installations to date.

Partnership projects


Transportation planning can play a significant rolein mitigating the impacts of new development bypreparing and implementing projects that helpreduce the levels of CO2 emissions and reducingreliance on the car.

The Borough Council will work with its partners,in particular Kent County Council (KCC) as theHighway Authority, to deliver a number ofprojects with the key objectives of minimising thedependency upon the car and the activepromotion of greener, healthier alternativesincluding walking, cycling and public transport.

Parking

Vehicle parking standards have been set as amaximum by the Highways Authority, KCC. TheBorough Council will, where feasible, seekdevelopments in central urban locations toprovide parking below the adopted standards inorder to minimise the number of cars travellinginto and out of these areas.

Tonbridge Local Parking Plan promotes greateruse of local transport, complemented by aprogressive decrease in the amount of long andshort stay parking in the town centre and itsreplacement with medium/short stay parking aspublic transport services improve.

Travel Plans

For developments that are likely to generate asignificant number of trips, the Council will seekthe submission of Travel Plans with planningapplications. The Travel Plan will need to includemeasures aimed at reducing the need to travel bycar, eg provisions for safe,direct pedestrian andcycle routes, the establishment of carshare clubsand/or pool cars for businesses and the provisionof shower and changing facilities on-site at officesand at other employment centres.

Transportation and Air Quality

9.

Transportation Public TransportWe support walking buses as part of schoolTravel Plans and the introduction of increasedbus opportunities to reduce traffic generated bythe school run. The Council is also pioneering aKCC scheme allowing children aged 11-16unlimited travel on public bus services for a year,for a one-off payment of £50. The scheme aimsto get young people less reliant on the privatecar. This will have the effect of reducing trafficcongestion at peak times which will potentiallyachieve environmental benefits for Tonbridge.

Cycling and Walking

KCC and the Borough Council have engaged thespecialist cycling consultant, SUSTRANS, toprepare a draft Cycling Strategy for Tonbridgeand Malling. The first stage was an audit ofexisting facilities throughout urban areas ofTonbridge and Hildenborough and along the A20corridor through Aylesford, Ditton, Larkfield andLeybourne. Following consultation undertakenby KCC, the final adopted strategy will assist inidentifying opportunities to promote sustainabletransport initiatives and funding through thedevelopment control process.

Minimising car use will also have an effect on thelocal air quality. This is important as we knowthat there is a close relationship between airquality and climate change pollutants.


A review and assessment of local air quality in2001found that the Government’s standards forsome pollutants are exceeded in the boroughclose to the main traffic routes. In most cases,the areas affected are so close to the roads thatno houses, other sensitive buildings or areas ofland are adversely affected. The exception isalong the M20, between New Hythe Lane,Larkfield and Hall Road Aylesford. This area isdesignated an Air Quality Management Area andhas an Air Quality Action Plan.

Our second review in 2004 showed air qualityremained generally good but also identified local“hot-spots” where the quality objectives fornitrogen dioxide was unlikely to be met -theseare Tonbridge High Street (southern end),Wateringbury crossroads and London Road/Station Road, Ditton. We declared Air QualityManagement Areas at these locations.

Recognising the links between local air quality,transportation and climate change pollutants,we will:

♦ Work with the Kent & Medway AirQuality Parnership to secure aco-ordinated approach to themonitoring and improvement of airquality in kent.

♦ Address air quality issues in TonbridgeHigh Street, Wateringbury Crossroads,London Road/Station Road, Ditton.

♦ Work with schools to promote TravelPlans and Walking Buses, to reduce peaktime congestion at the school gates.

♦ Work with KCC to promote andencourage the use of car share clubsand sustainable travel options to localbusinesses.

♦ Progress the targets within the existingAir Quality Action Plan for Tonbridgeand Malling.

Actions for the future


10.

Statutory Duties relating to Air Quality

The Council has statutory duties which seek to:

♦ Ensure that air quality meets national,health based standards.

♦ Prevent air pollution that could damageamenity or cause nuisance.

These statutory duties are directed at preventingrisks to health and amenity, but they also have animpact on some pollutants that contribute toclimate change.

The latest review of local air quality in 2006/07showed that the standard for nitrogen dioxide isexceeded at more “hot spots” adjacent to theA20 in Larkfield, Ditton and Aylesford. Additionalmonitoring is being undertaken to establish theboundaries of the affected area.


New development in the borough needs to be assustainable as possible to ensure that the levelsof new growth we accommodate locally do notcontribute to the causes and effects of climatechange.

The key aims of the government strategy “ABetter Quality of Life - A Strategy for SustainableDevelopment for the UK” that relate to the issueof climate change are:

♦ Effective protection of the environment

♦ The prudent use of natural resources

Local Development Framework

The Council’s new Local DevelopmentFramework (LDF) is being prepared in stages.The adopted Core Strategy contains policies onsustainable development and sustainabletransport and the emerging ManagingDevelopment and the Environment -Development Plan Document (MDE DPD) willdetail policies on mitigation and adaptation to theeffects of climate change.

LDF - Renewable Energy Targets

Core Policy 1 of the Core Strategy seeks 10% ofenergy requirements for new developments tobe generated on-site from renewable sources.This is known nationally as “The Merton Rule”and has been tried and tested by a number oflocal authorities. The thresholds above which theRule applies (i.e. housing schemes over 10dwellings and commercial schemes over 1000m2)are set out in the draft South East Plan and it isthe intention of the Council to apply this whendealing with development proposals in theBorough. This policy still needs to undergopublic consultation during progression of theManaging Development and the EnvironmentDPD due to take place October 2008.

Planning Policy

Planning policies and controls are in place toensure new development takes account ofsustainablity issues. Local planning policies canset a framework which ensures that a range ofsustainable issues are taken in to account whennew development is planned. Patterns and formsof new development are needed that:

♦ Reduce the need to travel♦ Minimise energy and water consumption♦ Harness energy from renewable sources♦ Adapt to the inevitable effects of climate

change including flood risk management,mitigation and enhancement measures.

Planning New Development

Sustainable Development

Development control processes enable moredetailed issues of sustainability to be taken intoaccount in deciding whether individual proposalsfor new development are acceptable. Inparticular, there is a need to promote newpermitted development rights for micro-generation equipment to encourage their wideruse. Building control regulations can be used toensure construction processes for new buildingsreflect sustainability principles.

Development Control

11.

An example of sustainable construction at KingsHill School, where solar tubes harness naturalsunlight.


The Council will also seek new developments toaim to meet Code Level 3 of the Government’sCode for Sustainable Homes. This code is anenvironmental assessment for new homes thataims to protect the environment by providingguidance on the construction of highperformance homes built with sustainability inmind.

Nationally the Government is committed torevising the Building Regulations in order toachieve zero carbon new housing developmentsby 2016. The Council will be testing the optionof developing locally-derived requirements forenergy efficient buildings, in advance of nationalrevisions, through the consultation on the MDEDPD.

LDF - Energy Efficiency

LDF - Habitat Networks and Biodiversity

Through the preparation of the MDE DPD, theCouncil will be testing the option of developing agreen infrastructure plan to enablemultifunctional green spaces to contribute to thehabitat network. This policy will enable theprotection, conservation and enhancement ofbiodiversity, which is endangered by the effects ofclimate change.

LDF - Sustainable Layout, ConstructionMaterials and Technologies

The Council has adopted Kent Design as aSupplementary Planning Document to the CoreStrategy. This details good, locally distinctiveprinciples aimed at achieving sustainabledevelopments and is supportive of using locallysourced building materials and the recycling orre-use of building materials. The benefits of thisinclude the reinforcement of the character andidentity of an area and the reduction in the needfor transporting materials.

The principles in Kent Design will be followedand implemented, where practicable, whendealing with development proposals in theBorough. Kent Design provides detailed guidanceon:

♦ Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) - theaims include: managed run-off flow rates,protected or enhanced water quality,encouragement of natural groundwaterrecharge.

♦ Maximising the use of sunlight and daylightthrough passive solar design.

♦ Waste Minimisation and recycling -ensuring new developments incorporatefacilities which encourage reuse andrecycling.

♦ Energy Efficiency - including how toimprove the thermal efficiency of a building.

♦ Renewable Energy Technology - includingthe range of options, eg photovoltaicsystems and wind energy.

♦ Water Supply and Conservation - includinga list of measures that can be incorporatedinto new buildings to reduce waterconsumption.

A series of technical appendices has been draftedto supplement Kent Design including one on“Water Efficient Homes” that provides detailedguidance on water efficient specifications,including advice on rainwater harvesting andgreywater use.

LDF - Technical Advice

To ensure relevant officers and Members havethe right skills and knowledge a training needsanalysis for sustainable construction techniqueswill be undertaken and any training needs will bemet. In addition, a technical advice note on theavailable renewable technologies and when andhow they can be installed will be produced to aidthe implementation of the MDE DPD policies.


12.


Super E homes at Holborough - anexample of a development incorporatingsustainable construction techniques andmaterials. The windows are designed toprovide more natural light and lowerheating costs through the use of multipleglazings, innovative coatings and insulatingspacers.

♦ Maximising the use of natural daylight toimprove the energy efficiency of buildings.

♦ Maximising the cooling of buildings duringthe summer months by siting buildings sothat they are sheltered from directsunlight by foliage canopies of nearbyestablished trees, so that developments canadapt to the effects of a warmer climateand reducing the need for air conditioningsystems.

♦ The preparation of Travel Plans for allmajor new developments to reduce thereliance upon the car and encouragementof alternative greener, healthier optionsincluding cycling, walking and publictransport.

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♦ Installation of renewable energytechnologies eg photovoltaic cells and windturbines, within the design ofdevelopment schemes.

♦ Inclusion of Sustainable Urban DrainageSystems (SUDS) within the design ofdevelopment schemes eg rainwaterharvesting, storage and use of greywater, inorder to reduce the consumption of water.

♦ Plantation of trees as part of landscapingschemes to act as carbon sinks. Alsosupport for green roofs and otherinnovative forms of design to perform asimilar role and to improve the energyefficiency of buildings.

Achieving Sustainable Developments - Mitigation and Adaptation

Through the implementation of the LDF and the application of national, regional and local planning policyadvice, the Council will seek to achieve sustainable developments by incorporating climate changemitigation and adaptation measures for individual development proposals. These will include:


Engineering Projects: East Peckham Dam

In response to serious flooding over the NewYear period in 2002, the East Peckham FloodRelief Partnership was set up. This is a multi-agency partnership, including the BoroughCouncil, County Council, the EnvironmentAgency and East Peckham Parish Council.

The outcome of the work of the Partnership wasthe development and commissioning of a damdesigned to protect houses in East Peckham fromflooding in the future.

The Borough Council will pursue the followingactions related to achieving sustainabledevelopment:

♦ Draft, consult and adopt the ManagingDevelopment and the Environment DPDas part of the LDF, including robustlocally-derived policies on mitigation andadaptation to the effects of climatechange.

♦ In dealing with planning applications,seek developments that will derive atleast 10% of their energy requirementsfrom alternative renewable sources on-site.

♦ In dealing with planning applications,seek developments that incorporateclimate change mitigation and adaptationmeasures eg sustainable drainagesystems, the plantation of vegetation toact as carbon sinks and provide shelterin summer months, the installation ofinnovative technologies wherepracticable, eg photovoltaic cells andgreen roofs.

♦ Produce technical advice on availablerenewable energy technologies, egphotovoltaic cells and wind turbines,when and how they can be implementedon new and existing developments.

♦ Assess needs for training on sustainableconstruction techniques and renewabletechnologies.

♦ Borough-wide assessment of thepotential for accomodationg renewableand low carbon technologies, includingfor micro-renewables to be secured innew residential, commercial or industrialdevelopment.


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FloodingOne of the impacts of climate change will be theincreased likelihood of flooding. Policies are inplace with regard to development withinfloodplain areas: where possible developersshould seek to make use of areas at no or lowrisk to flooding, development within areas at riskof flooding must be subject to a flood riskassessment and include safe means of escapeabove flood levels and be designed andcontrolled to mitigate the effect of flooding onthe site and the potential impact of thedevelopment on flooding elsewhere in thefloodplain.

There is a need to work with key partners tomonitor local flooding problems and bringforward solutions where needed. The StrategicFlood Risk Assessment for the borough will bekept up to date.



Waste Minimisation and Recycling

In Tonbridge and Malling theaverage household producesaround 460 kg of waste peryear. This equates to a totalof over 50,000 tonnes ofwaste annually.

Around 35 percent of thiswas recycled or compostedin 2006/07. A further 15percent was burned togenerate electricity.

What happens to your waste ?

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Landfill Energy from Waste Recycled Composted

Managing the way we deal with waste,helps to tackle climate change. Tonbridgeand Malling Borough Council is working toencourage more people to reduce theirwaste and to help residents recycle orcompost any waste created.

The benefits of waste reduction, recyclingand composting are:♦ Reduction of waste sent to landfill or

Energy from Waste facilities.♦ Provision of resources to produce new

materials.♦ Reduction in the energy needed to make

new products.

The Waste Hierarchy

The waste hierarchy represents a chain ofpriority for managing waste. It starts with theideal of prevention and reduction of waste,leading to the least sustainable option and lastresort of disposal to landfill.

Landfill sitesWhen biodegradable waste, such as gardenwaste, paper, card and even clothes rot in landfillsites, they produce methane. In 2005, 40 percentof all the methane emitted in the UK was fromlandfill sites. While methane occurs in lowerconcentrations than carbon dioxide it produces21 times as much warming as CO2 and accountsfor 20 percent of the “enhanced greenhouse gaseffect”.

Incineration and Energy from WasteFrom 2007 the waste collected in black bins issent to an Energy from Waste facility at Allington,rather than to landfill sites. The energy fromwaste facility burns this waste to generateelectricity. This facility produces electricity whichgoes into the local electricity supply network(enough to power a town the size of Maidstone)and will help to displace the need to burn fossilfuels. However, burning useful resources such aspaper, card, metals and plastics means that thesematerials are lost and cannot be reused orrecycled. In addition this facility will producesome CO2 although at a much lower rate thanlandfilling or other disposal options.

15.


Actions for the futureThe Borough Council will help residentsreduce waste and increase recycling by:

♦ Expanding the green-lidded bin serviceto all suitable households.

♦ Review the success of the plasticbottle bank service and assess futureoptions.

♦ Increasing the number of litter bins withseparate recycling facilities and investigatefacilities for additional recyclables.

♦ Investigating opportunities to introducenew materials for recycling such asbatteries, electronic equipment, bulkyhousehold goods and tetraPaks.

♦ Encourage recycling with local businessesby promoting recycling services providedby the private sector.

Over the last few years the Borough Council hassignificantly increased the amount of wasterecycled or composted, by:

Expanding the green-lidded bin service - mostresidents have their garden waste, cardboard andkitchen food waste collected for compostingdiverting biodegradble waste away from landfill.

Promoting the green box service - the collectionand recycling of paper and cans, is available toevery household in the borough.

Expanding the number of bring sites -There areover 50 bring sites taking material including glass,cardboard, paper, textiles and books.

Introducing new materials at bring sites - Plasticbottle banks have been introduced at 10 of themain recyling bring sites.

Recycling and Composting

The crucial factor that puts recycling orcomposting ahead of incineration or landfill isthat recycling a material uses far less energy thanthe extraction and processing of virgin materials.

Studies have shown that the production of virginmaterial will produce far more C02 per tonnethan using recycled material. For example,creating a tonne of aluminium cans from rawbauxite takes around 5 times as much energy asproducing a tonne of recycled aluminium cans. Astudy undertaken at Aylesford Newsprint showedthat producing one tonne of recycled newsprintreleased 11 per cent less carbon emissions thanproducing virgin paper.

A US model of greenhouse gas emissions, ifapplied to the UK waste stream, estimates thatrecycling and composting household waste mightsave up to 4.5 million tonnes of carbon emissionsper year as compared to sending all the waste toEnergy from Waste plants. This would be theequivalent to the emissions generated by 55billion kilometres of vehicle travel in the UK -some 12 per cent of all vehicle kilometres.

Waste MinimisationAvoiding the creation of waste by re-usingmaterial such as plastic bags or home compostingis clearly the best way of managing waste. Overpackaging of many products is a national problemand will be difficult to tackle locally, however wecan raise awareness of this issue.

What has the Borough Council done?

16.



The Council has an important role to play inpromoting and facilitating action to improve theenvironment and reduce the causes and effects ofclimate change.

Individuals, households, communities andbusinesses have a crucial role in tackling climatechange. The UK’s emissions are the cumulativeresult of the choices made by government,businesses, organisations in other sectors andindividuals. A framework needs to be establishedthat encourages and enables changes inbehaviour that reduce the footprint ofindividuals.

For a number of years we have promotedsustainable projects and initiatives through ourLocal Agenda 21 Action Plan. The following areexamples of work with groups and communities:

Eco-SchoolsThe Eco-Schools programme provides aframework for a school to analyse its operationsto become more sustainable. The schemeencourages pupils to take responsibility for thefuture of their own environment and coversareas such as energy useage, school grounds,healthy eating, transport and waste minimisationand recycling.

Community and Business Engagement

School TravelWorking in partnership with Kent CountyCouncil school travel planners and the MedwayWalking Bus Group, we encourage schools toconsider sustainable travel options and wherepossible adopt a travel plan. This reduces peaktime pollution and congestion and encourageshealthier lifestyles. We also promote andencourage take up of campaigns such as NationalWalk to School Week and provide certificatesand rewards for children walking to school.

Waste & RecyclingWaste minimisation and recycling can have ahuge impact on reducing the effects of climatechange and there is much work beingundertaken. Promotional activities andawareness raising is important to help reducewaste going to landfill. We offer programmes oftheatre workshops for schools covering waste,packaging and composting to ensure thesemessages are getting across to all ages.

Farmers’ MarketsMarkets are held monthly in West Malling HighStreet. They promote local food and reduce“food miles” supporting local farmers as well aspromoting healthier lifestyles and organic food.We also support additional community managedfarmers’ markets including the weekly marketheld at Shipbourne. We would like to see morecommunity managed farmers’ markets across theborough and will support and promote thiswhere possible.

17.

Industry and BusinessesThe Council has a leadership role which can beused to inform and influence local business toreduce carbon emissions. The authority needs towork closely with local businesses andrepresentative groups such as the Federation ofSmall Businesses and Local Chambers.

Kent Sustainable Business Partnership (KSBP)works with businesses large and small to enablethem to develop sustainable environmentalpractices as a central and essential part ofbusiness operations. The Council needs to workwith KSBP to further promote this work andensure that businesses in the borough arecommitted to energy conservation measures.Appropriate information can be provided via theCouncil’s “Wise Up” publication which iscirculated to local businesses.


The Borough Council will work with the community to tackle the perceived constraints preventingpeople from taking action for themselves, by:

♦ Giving residents the right information, assistance and advice via talks, website and Councilleaflets/newspapers including Here and Now and Wise Up.

♦ Work with community groups, businesses, parish councils and residents in the borough onsustainable projects as and when they arise, working to reduce carbon, live sustainably and helpspread the word to others in the community.

♦ Use best practice within the Council to encourage others for example; using green energysuppliers, low energy lighting, recycling and sustainable transport.

Challenges and Opportunities

There are many perceived constraints which prevent action on climate change being undertaken. Theboxes below summarise the constraints and the actions that were identified at a Joint Board meetingheld with TMBC and Kent County Council:

The Actions

♦ Lobby Government to help with costse.g. grants, incentives e.g. rainwaterharvesting.

♦ Use best practice within Councils toencourage others e.g. green transportand energy efficiency.

♦ Give residents the right information andadvice.

♦ Work with local groups to spread theword.

♦ Influence young people.♦ Encourage people not to drive so much.♦ Use community events to inform and

promote.♦ Work together on implementing climate

change strategies.♦ Promote sustainable development and

green transport on keydevelopment sites.


The Constraints

♦ Lack of awareness about what can bedone.

♦ Food Packaging / Supermarkets.♦ Negative attitudes / denial / not my

problem / apathy.♦ Not an immediate problem - it’s in the

future.♦ People are too lifestyle dependent - e.g.

flying and large cars.♦ People regard making changes as

inconvenient - too busy.♦ People have more pressing problems e.g.

the mortgage and making ends meet.♦ People see climate change as a means

for Government to interfere in dailylives.

♦ Making changes means financial cost.♦ Negative media.

18.



Lowering our Carbon Footprint at the Council

It is important to reduce the environmentalimpact of the Council’s activities through all areasof our work. Action to address climate changeneeds to be a cross cutting issue embedded in allcouncil activities. The sustainability of our ownorganisation is being developed through thefollowing:

♦ Energy conservation of the Councils ownestate.

♦ Waste Minimisation and Recycling.♦ Transport.♦ Staff Training.

Climate Change Officer Study Group

This comprises of representatives from eachservice to drive forward and betterco-ordinate the Council’s own environmentalperformance. The group reports to the Council’sCommunity Development Advisory Board whichassists the Cabinet Member for CommunityDevelopment in taking forward the Council’sclimate change agenda.Travel to work

The Council has developed a Staff Travel Plan andan online car share database for all employees.We also have regular car share and sustainabletravel days and take part in national campaignssuch as Bike2Work week.

More than 10,000 tonnes of CO2 are beingsaved each year by people sharing theirempty car seats and travelling together.

Estimate by Liftshare, November 2006

Procurement

The sourcing of products and the type ofproducts purchased can have an impact on theenvironment and reduce the effects of climatechange. The Council has a sustainableprocurement policy which has been built into theProcurement Strategy.

The policy demonstrates a commitment toprocure goods, works and services that areenvironmentally and socially responsible. Indoing this the Council wishes to promote theadoption of more sustainable practices andprocedures amongst the wider businesscommunity.

Recycling bins for the collection of paper,cardboard and magazines are in use in everyservice in the Council. To improve our recylingrate a pilot is currently underway in one of ouroffices where individual waste bins have beenreplaced with one centrally located bin for thecollection of materials for recycling and a centralbin for waste collection. Measures are also inplace to cut down on the amount of paper used,for example by printing on both sides of thepage, not printing out emails, re-using scrap paperand re-using envelopes for internal mail.

Surveys undertaken by the Energy Saving Trustindicated that staff would be willing to car sharein order to get to work. We are now workingwith “liftshare” who have provided the databaseto assist staff finding car share partners.


19.

In addition to car sharing, we have alsointroduced a home working policy to furtherreduce car use.


The majority of emissions fromthe public sector come frombuildings. We have been lookinginto the energy efficiency of ourown buildings and aim to reduceenergy consumption throughgood practice management andenergy saving measures. Energyconsumption for all Councilbuildings is monitored andrecorded annually. The figuresfor 2005/6have been collatedand converted into CO2emissions. Based on energyusage our 2005/6 carbonfootprint is 3830 tonnes of CO2.

Site assessments have been undertaken atTonbridge Swimming Pool and Larkfield LeisureCentre in order to:

♦ Identify and prioritise up to five actionsthat can be taken to improve energymanagement effectiveness.

♦ Identify and prioritise up to ten actions atsite level to reduce energy costs and savecarbon.

The Carbon Trust have now produced an actionplan with recommendations to guide our workand reduce our carbon footprint at these sites.

Monitoring of energy consumption will continuefor all of our buildings. We will take up thesuggested measures by the Carbon Trust toachieve significant reductions at the leisurecentres and we will reduce our overall CO2emissions by 10% by 2010.


CO2 Emmissions 2005/6

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Due to the variation of the buildings and the waythe buildings are used there will be differentchallenges in terms of energy management ateach site.

Energy Conservation of our own estate

It is apparent from the chart that energyconsumption is highest in our sports facilities. Inthe main Council offices at Kings Hill, there arehigher CO2 emissions for Gibson West due tothe nature and age of the building.

We are working with the Carbon Trust, whohave undertaken surveys of our leisure centresand provided a number of energy savingrecommendations and options for the use ofrenewable energy.

20.


Actions for the futureThe Borough Council will improve thesustainability of our own organisation andinfluence other local residents and businesses.We will:

♦ Put staff training measures in place toensure that all Council employees areaware of sustainable initiatives and theneed to reduce our carbon footprint.

♦ Implement carbon reduction measures(identified by the Carbon Trust) in theborough’s leisure centres.

♦ Carry out audits of remaining mainCouncil buildings in partnership with theCarbon Trust.

♦ Increase the take up of staff using theonline car share database, throughfurther awareness-raising activities andpromotion.

♦ Invest in energy reduction measures inCouncil buildings, encourage staff toengage in energy saving activities andinvestigate rainwater harvesting.

♦ Ensure all staff who procure goods,works and services are aware of thesustainable procurement policy and takeaccount of guidance and advice regardingsustainable procurement.

♦ Review and potentially extend the officerecycling pilot to additional sections.

♦ Grounds maintenance contracts toinclude requirements to protectbiodiversity.

♦ Designate Climate Change Championsfor each of the Council’s services.

21.

We have worked with the Farming and WildlifeAdvisory Group to advise local farmers onsustainable farming techniques (e.g. practices tohelp reduce flash flooding and surface run-off).

We will also plant and protect trees and ensurehabitats are protected and can naturally adapt toclimate change, through the development ofgrounds maintenance contracts includingrequirements for different cutting regimes, andbuffer zones along river banks.


Habitat Protection and Land Management


22.

Adapting to Climate Change

Tackling the root causes of climate change is a long term, global, national and local challenge. Globalwarming is predicted to continue to increase for the next twenty years or so before the actions thatare being put in place today will begin to have any positive effect on the problem. In addition toimplementing these mitigation actions, therefore, there needs to be consideration given to the needto adapt to the shorter term, largely unavoidable effects of on-going climate change. There may besome more immediate climate changes that could have a positive effect. For example, warmersummers and milder winters could encourage a growth in local tourism whilst farmers might findopportunities to diversify into the production of crops more traditionally associated with warmerclimates. However, greater extremes of climate will have negative impacts and it is to these effectsthat adaptation is needed.

Scientists predict that changes to weather patterns will be the main obvious on-going consequence ofclimate change. This may mean hotter drier summers, milder wetter winters, greater extremes intemperature and precipitation, increased storminess and rising sea levels and storm surge heights.Adaptation issues and measures to combat them need to be addressed by a wide range of agencies. TheBorough Council has a role to play in a number of key areas.

Key Adaptation Issues Adaptation MeasuresMore incidences of flooding Work with the Environment agency to ensure data on flood

risk areas are kept up to date.Continue to guide new development away from areas ofstrategic flood risk.Seek opportunities to increase flood storage capacity.

Seasonal water shortages Promote sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS).Work with local water supply companies to bring forwardnew infrastructure to increase water supplies when required.Seek to protect existing water supplies e.g. undergroundaquifers.

Impact on biodiversity Promote measures to protect and enhance local biodiversity.Manage council-owned land and sites to promote biodiversity.Work with partners to develop habitat creation/protection.Work jointly with others on local biodiversity action plans.

Heat waves and winter freezes Work with partner agencies to address health issues relatedto summer heat waves and winter freeze incidences.Provide guidance on protection from UV exposure .In partnership with others, react in a timely fashion towarnings of severe winter/summer weather.


Implementation Plan

CO2 reduction from LocalAuthority operations.

Per capita reduction in CO2emissions in the LA area.

Adapting to climate change.

Target Timescale

Baseline and target to beestablished via KentAgreement 2.

Baseline and target to beestablished via KentAgreement 2.

2011

23.

The Council will lead on the delivery of the targets within the implementation plan,but will involve keypartners such as KCC and the Environment Agency, where appropriate.

Action

Performance Indicators

Improve the energy efficiencyof all housing sectors.

Secure funding opportunitiesto improve poor conditionhousing in the private sector.

Secure funding to develop andprovide a Kent wide HomeVisitor Service.

Secure funding to expand theWarm Homes Assistance andenergy efficiency initiatives.

Investigate fundingopportunities for promotionof renewable energy measuresin private sector housing.

Promote the use of renewableenergy technology to RSLpartners.

3% improvement per year.

Co-ordinate private sectorrenewal bid for RegionalFunding Allocation.

To be established depending onDEFRA funding bid.

15 grants per year.

Establish a renewable energyscheme in the private sector.

Work with RSL partners toutilise renewable energytechnology in at least 2 newaffordable housing schemes.

2007

2008

2008-2011

2009

2010


Develop an adaptation actionplan to deliver necessary stepsto achieveobjectives in light ofprojected climate change.

2008-2011

Timescale to follow

Timescale to follow


Implementation Plan

24.

Action Target Timescale

Work with the Kent &Medway Air QualityPartnership to secure a co-ordinated approach to airquality monitorng in Kent.

Address air quality issues inTonbridge High Street,Wateringbury crossroads,London Road/Station Road,Ditton.

Work with schools topromote Travel Plans andWalking Buses.

Work with KCC to promotecar share clubs andsustainable travel options tolocal businesses.

Organise and attend 4partnership meetings per year. 2008-2011

10 schools per year. 2008-2011

Report to Local EnvironmentalManagement Advisory Board.

Progress the targets withinthe existing Air Quality ActionPlan for Tonbridge andMalling.

Implement appropriatemeasures.

Ongoing

Engage with businesses viaWise Up publication. Ongoing

2008-2011


Draft, consult and adopt theManaging Development andthe Environment DPD as partof the LDF, including robustlocally-derived policies onmitigation and adaptation tothe effects of climate change.

In dealing with planningapplications, seekdevelopments that will deriveat least 10% of their energyrequirements from alternativerenewable sources on site.


Adoption and implementationof the Managing Developmentand the Environment DPD aspart of the LDF.

September 2008

Secure new developmentsincorporating renewableenergy technology.

Ongoing


25.

Action

Produce technical advice onavailable renewable energytechnologies.

Assess needs for training onsustainable constructiontechniques and renewabletechnologies.

Borough-wide assessment ofthe potential for accomodatingrenewable and low carbontechnologies, including micro-renewables to be secured innew residential, commercial orindustrial development.

Expand the green-lidded bin toall suitable households.

Review the success of theplastic bottle bank service andassess options for the future.

Increase the number of litterbins with separate recyclingfacilities and investigatefacilities for additionalrecyclables.

Borough-wide provision ofgreen-lidded bins.

Review reported to LocalEnvironmental ManagementAdvisory Board.

New facilities provided.

Timescale

DPD by September 2008Mitigation/Adaptation Policies

Ongoing

Target



Adaptation and implementation ofthe MDE DPD incorporatingclimate change mitigation andadaptation policies.

Adoption of a compilation of usefulsources of technical advice onrenewables, explaining when / howthey can be incorporated.

February 2008(reviewed annually)

Needs analysis complete, trainingprogramme adopted and relevantstaff trained on sustainableconstruction techniques andrenewable technologies.

Autumn 2008

Assess and where practicable,complete a borough-widefeasibility study to establish thecapacity for renewableinstallations.

2008

2008

2008/09

2008

In dealing with planningapplications, seek developmentsthat incorporate climate changemitigation and adaptationmeasures.


Encourage recycling with localbusinesses by promotingrecycling services provided bythe private sector.

Target

Feature included in eachedition of Wise Up magazine.

10 per year.

Promote best practice whenappropriate.

Information in each edition ofGrapevine, regular informationemailed to staff / trainingprovided.

Ongoing

2008-2011

Ongoing

Ongoing

2008

Timescale

Implementation Plan

26.

Implement carbon reductionmeasures (identified by theCarbon Trust) in the borough’sleisure centres.

Achieve 576 CO2 tonnes peryear reduction in overallenergy consumption.

Put staff training measures inplace to ensure that allemployees are aware ofsustainable initiatives and theneed to reduce our carbonfootprint.

Use best practice within theCouncil to encourage others.

Work with community groups,businesses, parish councils andresidents in the borough onsustainable projects as andwhen they arise.

Give residents the rightinformation, assistance andadvice via talks, website andCouncil leaflets/newspaper.

Action

Ongoing

Investigate opportunities tointroduce new recyclingmaterials for recycling such asbatteries, electronicequipment, bulky householdgoods and tetraPaks.

2008/09



Lowering our carbon footprint at the Council

Report to Local EnvironmentalManagement Advisory Board.

Climate change/environmentalfeature included in every issue ofHere & Now from 2008.Information on website,information in Wise Up.


Grounds maintenancecontracts to includerequirements to protectbiodiversity.

Designate Climate ChangeChampions.

Review existing contracts andensure all new contracts haveregard to protectingbiodiversity.

Champion in each service inplace.

2008Review and potentially extendthe office recyling pilot toadditional sections.

2008

Extend pilot to remove allindividual waste bins fromopen plan offices within theGibson Building.

TimescaleTargetAction

Ensure staff are aware and takeaccount of the sustainableprocurement policy.

All procurement excercisestake account of sustainableprocurement policy whereappropriate.

Ongoing

2010

Invest in energy reductionmeasures in Council buildings,encourage staff to engage inenergy saving activities andinvestigate rainwaterharvesting.

10% reduction of energy use. 2010

Increase the take up of staffusing the online car sharedatabase.

25% of TMBC registered onthe car share database. 2010

Carry out audits of remainingmain Council buildings inpartnership with the CarbonTrust.

All main Council buildingsaudited. 2010

27.

Lowering our carbon footprint at the Council


Tonbridge & Malling Borough CouncilGibson Building, Gibson Drive,Kings Hill, West Malling ME19 4LZTelephone 01732 844522www.tmbc.gov.uk

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Documents

FINAL Draft Climate Change Strategy - Tonbridge and Malling · As a local authority, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council has an important role to play in responding to the challenges