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DA21 - Sustainable Dorset newsletter
Meeting of the West Dorset Climate Change Group
Meeting of
West Dorset Partnership Climate Change Steering Group
Stratton House, Dorchester, 27 May 2011
An interesting meeting. The two main items were:
1. Presentation by Emily Newton, Dorset Wildlife Trust, “Helping Wildlife Adapt to Climate Change”. (Emily is a conservation officer, working with landowners). Among many items in a well-illustrated talk:
- Effects of climate change already seen: some animal and bird species are getting out of phase with their customary food sources; and there is some drift in species seen in Dorset, particularly birds – some are becoming rarer, while others are coming in.
- DWT is currently about four years into a habitat restoration scheme, including
: grassland re-seeding, using green hay from existing natural pastures
: river catchments, including current deflections and ‘pinch points’ to improve oxygenation and provide some clean gravel bed.
: mapping (recording vegetation) of coastal seabed, informing regulation required to support sustainable fishing.
[External funding that partly supports this work is coming to an end soon.]
2. Presentation by Peter West, DCC, “Renewable Energy Potential in Dorset”. Peter’s job is to deliver the Bournemouth, Dorset & Poole Renewable Energy Strategy. This strategy is five-years old and is now up for review and updating. Please note that a public consultation starts on 1 June. Among many points made in a most interesting talk (impossible to capture all the data accurately):
- UK renewable sources currently supply 3% of national energy use (in Dorset, only 0.95%). The UK target for 2020 is 15%, and if we do not meet it there will be EU penalties. It is unclear yet whether central government will devolve responsibilities (and percentages) to the regions or counties, as currently with waste and landfill.
- A Bournemouth University survey of its Dorset Citizens’ Panel found that 87% were in favour of the county seeking to achieve the 15% renewable target.
- There has been a survey of renewable energy potential in Dorset. By far the largest potential sources are offshore and onshore windpower, follower by biomass. Other sources – tidal, solar PV, solar water-heating, heat pumps, hydropower – though important, can make only a relatively small contribution.
- Offshore windpower, though more publicly acceptable than onshore sourcing, may not happen in Dorset. Nationally, three times more offshore capacity has been identified than can be supported, and it possible the field off the Dorset coast is less economic than some others. But much effort is going into identifying optimal onshore wind-turbine sites; 180 turbines by 2020 is suggested. (Smaller turbines, at farm level or community-owned, is a possible addition or partial alternative to the big turbines; but this needs initiatives from committed individuals and communities – and government support and/or easing of regulations??).
- Biomass (thinning from woodlands and waste) has much undeveloped potential, both domestically and through commercial applications. Wood biomass is 90% C-neutral. Tree-planting schemes are to be encouraged.
- PV costs are still going down but will likely level off. [Germany, which has one-third of the world’s PV manufacturing capacity, plans to produce 36,000 Megawatts through solar PV capture by 2020, about one-third of its national power needs – largely by covering all roofs in the south of the country. Oh, to live in country with sound technically-based long-term planning – though I am not sure about closing down all nuclear power stations – not too many tsunamis in Germany.]
- Other European countries are also, apparently, big on district heating schemes. Expect to hear more of this in UK. There is a proposal for Dorchester, whereby the installation of a new combined power and heating unit at the Hospital would provide surplus hot water to heat major buildings in town, including County Hall, the prison, and the Charles Street Development.
One other point. As may already be quite well-known, the Dorset Strategic Partnership is essentially shutting shop. There will still be an ‘Annual Stakeholder Forum’ (September/October), and Dorset Age Partnership, Environment Theme Group and Culture Theme Group will continue to meet. But other Theme Groups will no longer meet. I do not pretend to understand all the details, but queries regarding DSP and other partnership working in Dorset may be addressed to Robin Taylor, Senior Policy & performance Manager, Chief Executive’s Office, DCC on 01305 224715 or at R.Taylor@dorsetcc.gov.uk . However, it seems that West Dorset Partnership (and its climate change steering group) will continue to function as before.
Mike Jones
2 June 2011
Related Sectors
Partnership
Related Organisations
Related Organisation:
West Dorset Partnership
Related Organisation:
Dorset Agenda 21 (da21)
Related Organisation:
Dorset Wildlife Trust Group files
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