Tweedgreen 2010/11 carbon footprint

Summary 3rd October 2011

http://Tweedgreen.org

Tweedgreen 2010/11 carbon footprint

Summary: 3rd October 2011

Prepared by: Charles Henderson of Climate Futures

Climate Futures Ltd 164 Montgomery St Edinburgh EH7 5ER Registered in Scotland SC3348804 e: charles@climatefutures.co.uk t: 0131 652 1893

www.climatefutures.co.uk
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Tweedgreen 2010/11 carbon footprint

Summary 3rd October 2011

Introduction
As part of a CCF funded project, Tweedgreen commissioned a baseline carbon footprint to understand regional greenhouse gas emissions and allow comparisons in future years. A specialist consultancy, Climate Futures, undertook the footprint and analysed its findings. The baseline footprint covers a sample taken from approximately 7000 households in the Tweeddale area, occupying approximately 355 sq. miles (919 sq. km) at the upper reaches of the River Tweed. Public buildings and businesses were not included due to restricted data availability, and the household share of public services eg healthcare was also excluded as this is not under the control of Tweedgreen. A random sample of 162 households responded to a questionnaire about energy use, transport, food and shopping habits. Their carbon footprints were calculated using an Excel-based software package, developed by Small World Consulting and Tweedgreen. These were extrapolated, by household type, to estimate the regions total household carbon baseline.

Footprint findings
Tweeddales carbon footprint in 2010/11 was estimated to be 171,645 tonnes of CO2. The emission sources are household energy (62,884 tonnes CO2, 37%), personal flights (51,356 tonnes CO2, 30%), car (23,858 tonnes CO2, 14%), food (17,099 tonnes CO2, 10%) and shopping (16,449 tonnes CO2, 9%). While not usually accredited to domestic carbon emissions, it is interesting to note that business flights accounted for a total of 12,265 tonnes CO2 Figure 1: Average household carbon footprints by source (%)

Tweedgreen 2010/11 carbon footprint

Summary 3rd October 2011

These figures may seem high, but they are in line with other Scottish communities, and much is being done to bring them down. The Scottish Government has set binding targets to reduce the countrys emissions by 42% by 2020 and 80% by 2050, from a 1990 baseline. Based on the experience of a similar community1, Tweeddale would need to reduce its footprint by approximately 25% and 63% respectively, from a 2011 baseline, to match these targets. The average household footprint in Tweeddale is 24.5 tonnes CO2, and the equivalent household footprint in Dumfries and Galloway2 is 24.2 tonnes CO2. This small difference (1.2% greater footprint in Tweeddale) may be explained by the different demographic, income or household profile between the two communities, and is within the expected margin of error.

Household Analysis
The average household emissions, by source, are: household energy (9.0 tonnes CO2, 37%), car (3.4 tonnes CO2, 14%), personal flights (7.3 tonnes CO2, 30%), food (2.4 tonnes CO2, 10%) and shopping (2.3 tonnes CO2, 9%). Within Tweeddale, there is a large difference, by over a factor of three, between emissions from those living in detached homes (37.2 tonnes CO2), and end-terraced homes (10.9 tonnes CO2). By far the greatest reason is flight emissions. These range from 11.0 tonnes CO2 (33% of household total) for detached homes to 1.7 tonnes CO2 (15% of household total) for enclosed end-terraces. It is likely that these differences relate to disposable income. Personal, international flights dominate. For example detached house emissions are: international personal, 9.1 tonnes CO2, national personal, 1.9 tonnes CO2. International business flights for a detached home were 1.9 tonnes CO2, and domestic business, 2.4 tonnes CO2. Energy emissions show a less significant spread, proportionally. The average detached home emits 11.8 tonnes CO2 (36% of the household total) and an enclosed end-terrace, 4.7 tonnes CO2 (44% of the household total). Per capita, the most

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Callander 15 year vision, Climate Futures, 2010 Small World Consulting. Figures exclude public services component at 6.9 tonnes CO2 per household

Tweedgreen 2010/11 carbon footprint

Summary 3rd October 2011

energy efficient type is a six-person occupied home at 2.6 tonnes CO2 per capita. The least efficient is a singly occupied home at 6.9 tonnes CO2 per capita. Car emissions range from 4.9 tonnes CO2 (33% of household total) for enclosed midterraces to 1.7 tonnes CO2 (16% of household total) for end-terraces. A six-person occupied house emits the highest (5.8 tonnes CO2), and a one-person occupied house the lowest (1.9 tonnes CO2). Manufacture of cars forms over 40% of total emissions in each case. Food emissions range from 2.8 tonnes CO2 for detached homes (9% of total) to 0.8 tonnes CO2 for enclosed mid terrace (5% of total). Emissions from meat meals and imported / unseasonal food generally make up the highest proportion (between 3050% in each case), whereas emissions from wasted food tend to make up below 20% of the total. Shopping emissions range from 2.9 tonnes CO2 for detached and semi-detached homes (9% & 10% of the respective household totals) to 0.9 tonnes CO2 for end terraces (8% of the household total). Emissions generally rise in line with the number of occupants. 45% of the sample provided a response on their income band. Emissions rise in line with income, from 11.6 tonnes CO2 for 5-10k households to 46.5 tonnes CO2 for 75k+ households. However, as a proportion of income, emissions fall as income rises. By far the greatest contributor to rising footprint by income is flights from 11% for 5-10k band to 52% for the 75k+ band. Interestingly, shopping emissions are not as significant (from a low of 6% for 20-30k to a high of 10% for 30-50k).

Tweeddale looks to the future Survey information on strategy, transport and food has been collated and analysed to add qualitative and anecdotal context. This includes a public consultation in March 2010, a strategy session in August 2010 and evaluation responses. Together, these are helping to inform the direction and activities of Tweedgreen working groups. The main findings and proposed ideas include: People find it easiest to reduce where they spend most time and can see immediate change - at home. This could include promoting the uptake of smart meters. People have been inspired by Tweedgreens energy fairs and the team is
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Tweedgreen 2010/11 carbon footprint

Summary 3rd October 2011

encouraged to continue them. Self-sufficiency in renewable energy is appealing to the public, as is the idea of initiating a local wood economy. Transport. Two travel surveys were carried out in September 2010 and March 2011, which counted about 850 vehicles each. Over 84% of cars were singly occupied. This shows the scale of the transport challenge. But there are encouraging signs. School travel surveys showed two thirds of pupils at Kingsland travelled by foot in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Proportions of walking pupils have also risen slightly at Halyrude, Peebles HS and Eddleston PS from 2009 to 2010. At the nearby Glentress mountain bike centre, over 80% said they would use a lift share message board. The community is also supportive of a local holiday house swap scheme to reduce travel, promote local tourism and boost investment. Food is a gateway issue, opening the door to other more challenging eco-issues. About half of the 140 respondents to a food survey said they have been influenced by Tweedgreens food campaigns, including the food directory and recipe books. Over half would buy more local food if it was available, and a number recommended local food labelling. A community garden and food co-ops were also popular ideas. In conclusion, Tweedgreen has influenced action and provided a focal point for an engaged core of people and provided information and activities for the wider community. Campaigns, in particular the liftshare campaign promoted on the A703 billboard and those promoted in the Peeblesshire News, have caught the attention of a large number of people. The initiative is now turning general awareness into action through simple, convenient, cost-effective options for a greener lifestyle. It will continue to promote the benefits and help Tweeddale become a sustainable community.

Notes to editors Tweedgreen is a voluntary organisation of local people working towards a selfsustaining Tweeddale by promoting local food, sustainable travel, encouraging local energy generation, and reducing energy use and waste. Tweedgreen is funded by the Climate Challenge Fund of the Scottish Government, which is supporting communities to reduce carbon emissions and empowered to provide

Tweedgreen 2010/11 carbon footprint

Summary 3rd October 2011

for its own needs.

Climate Futures was commissioned to produce a baseline carbon footprint for Tweeddale, to meet Climate Challenge Fund needs and contribute to the wider energy reduction strategy. Climate Futures is a multidisciplinary carbon and climate change consultancy, based in Edinburgh, which has also worked with three other CCF communities in Scotland.

Survey questions were included on energy use, car use, flights, domestic and international (both personal and business, food use and waste, and shopping habits. 162 responses were received, from 1000 randomly distributed questionnaires. This is considered very satisfactory, and it shows a willingness on behalf of the public to participate.

Footprint software, developed by Small World Consulting and Tweedgreen was used. This uses comprehensive emission factors for flights (including global warming impact of non-CO2 gases and contrails), and bespoke emission factors for shopping and activities. The baseline does not include emissions for businesses (other than flights), public buildings, household share of public services eg healthcare.

More information: Tweedgreen: Gary White, gary@tweedgreen.org, 01721 729258 Climate Futures: Charles Henderson, charles@climatefutures.co.uk, 07740 946955