Last
year Kirklees declared a climate emergency in response to the clear message
from the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that we have
a limited time to reduce carbon emissions to levels consistent with a viable
environment for human civilisation. This amendment aims to take Kirklees on to
the next stage of our journey to become a Net Zero Carbon Local Authority in line
with the 2038 target set for us through our membership of the Leeds City
Region. We also need to ensure that regional funding is not used to provide
tacit support to Leeds Bradford Airport expansion plans that threaten the
viability of our emission reduction targets.
Kirklees
New Build Passivhaus support fund
Current informed estimates
suggest a 5% - 7% uplift in the capital
cost for buildings built to Passivhaus standards when part of a consistent policy.
This fund would ensure that all projects commenced on Kirklees owned land were
properly resourced to achieve that higher energy efficiency standard, be they
lead by the Council or part of a partnership arrangement using council owned
land.
Kirklees
Green New Deal Demonstrator
Following the Kirklees Warm Zone
programme the next significant energy efficiency goal would be to carry out
significant work on hard to treat properties particularly those with cavities
that can only be filled using polyurethane foam. There is also a need for a
room in the roof insulation project for homes that cannot receive mineral fibre
wool insulation due to attic rooms. The aim would be to provide free insulation
to 4000 properties as a showcase to other local authorities and national
government. Within this project we would also expect 25% of the funding to be
allocated to properties in fuel poverty and that they benefit from a whole
house approach aimed at achieving the ‘Enerphit’ standard.
This project will demonstrate to national government the
benefits and practicalities of applying ‘HS2’ levels of funding to domestic
energy efficiency to achieve our Paris Climate goals, address fuel poverty,
create skilled jobs and regenerate local economies.
Kirklees
Neighbourhood Housing Carbon Reduction Fund
Following years of energy saving initiatives this Fund will
be used to carry out pathfinding work to demonstrate how we will drive down
emissions still further to levels consistent with a 2030 zero carbon target.
The aim will be to achieve as close to the Enerphit standard as is practical.
We are also calling on Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing to transfer homes to a
low cost green energy provider when they become void.
Community
Climate Action projects – Place based working
We propose that the
next round of Place based working funding is to be allocated for community lead
climate action projects. This could support a range of community lead projects
e.g. tree planting, reducing the carbon impact of community owned buildings,
flood alleviation, community transport initiatives.
Purchase
Renewable Energy
We are calling on Kirklees to ensure that the Council’s electricity
is sourced from verifiably renewable sources.
Schools
Climate Change Education Project
This project will provide
grants to schools promoting projects that reduce their carbon emissions linked
to an education package. It is anticipated that projects such as the
installation of solar panels, energy saving measures and tree planting in
school grounds
Join the
Global Covenant of Mayors
The Global Covenant of Mayors is where local governments in alliance with
partners accelerate ambitious, measurable climate and energy initiatives that
lead to a low-emission and climate-resilient future. This will allow us to
assess our progress with international partners and collaborate with our peers
in Europe and beyond. This does not mean lots of air travel but is about
learning from best practice and hopefully demonstrating our best practice on a
bigger stage. Kirklees is not a leader in action to reduce carbon emissions
yet. We can learn a lot from others.
Conversion
to electric vehicles project
There is a large potential for conversion of petrol/diesel
vehicles to electric at a fraction of the cost of a new vehicle. This proposal
is to establish a pilot project to demonstrate the potential for this in the Kirklees
District.
Support
the establishment of the Kirklees Climate Commission –
through funding the secretariat and supporting analysis and reporting
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