1 / 18

The Challenge of Climate Change and Future Water Or: water we going to do about carbon?

The Challenge of Climate Change and Future Water Or: water we going to do about carbon?. 23 April 2009 Institute of Water Officers Annual Conference. Mike Walker. Outline. Climate Change Act Climate Change Adaptation programme The water industry and carbon Future Water.

tayte
Download Presentation

The Challenge of Climate Change and Future Water Or: water we going to do about carbon?

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The Challenge of Climate Change and Future WaterOr: water we going to do about carbon? 23 April 2009 Institute of Water Officers Annual Conference Mike Walker

  2. Outline Climate Change Act Climate Change Adaptation programme The water industry and carbon Future Water

  3. Climate Change Act 2008 – Key Aspects • Binding targets to reduce GHG emissions • 26% by 2020, 80% by 2050, on 1990 baseline • Carbon budgets: 2008-2012, 2013-2017, 2018-2022 • set by 1 June; report to Parliament on policies • Committee on Climate Change • Annual reports on progress on targets • Sub committee on adaptation • Quinquennial report on progress • etc

  4. Adapting to Climate Change Programme

  5. Adapting to Climate Change in Defra DSO 1: A society that is adapting to the effects of climate change, through a national programme of action and a contribution to international action • Climate Change impacts on a range of Defra policies: • Flooding and coastal erosion • Water availability and quality • Marine • Agriculture • Biodiversity, ecosystems and forestry • Defra’s international role

  6. Timelines for ACC 2008 2009 2010 2011 Climate Change Act NI188 guidance LA support Projections launch & rollout Adpt Sub Committee 1st report Risk Assessment Adaptation Sub Committee First reports asked for National Programme Reporting Power & Statutory Guidance

  7. Supplying water and treating sewage produces 5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year 1% of emissions 1 Carbon and water More water = more carbon emissions Domestic hot water use produces about 35 million tonnes of greenhouse gases (CO2e) per year 7% of emissions Pictures courtesy of Waterwise

  8. Policy measures on carbon Climate Change Levy EU Emissions Trading Scheme Climate Change Agreements Renewables Obligation Carbon Reduction Commitment

  9. Future Water • The Government’s Water Strategy for England, published • February 2008 • Water sector for the future – vision for 2030 • A coherent, focused policy framework • which is resilient to climate change • Outlines Government priorities • 61 actions for Defra and delivery partners • Water Availability and Quality board programme set up to • ensure delivery

  10. Future Water - Feb 2008 Key messages: - Need for everyone to value water - Everyone taking responsibility

  11. Future Water – key policy areas • Supply/demand balance • Water efficiency • Environmental water quality • Surface water management and flooding • Climate change mitigation and adaptation • Charging for water • Regulatory framework

  12. Less water available for supply More intense rainfall Lower river flows The Challenge: Climate Change Wetter winters and drier, hotter summers Areas of relative water stress

  13. Population growth and demographic change – more households Customers’ attitudes and demands are changing Land-use patterns are changing Average water consumption in England: 150 litres/person/day The Challenge: Social and Demographic Change

  14. The Challenge: Water Quality Real improvements in water quality But under wider WFD assessment: % at risk of failing to meet good status Rivers 93 Lakes 84 Estuaries 99 Coastal waters 85 Ground water 75

  15. Need for near universal metering before 2030 for households in areas of serious water stress Future Water: Water Efficiency Valuing water more and using it more efficiently Consumer awareness Efficient water fittings Water smart homes and businesses Ambition is to reduce water consumption to 130 litres/person/day or lower by 2030 Pictures Courtesy of Waterwise

  16. Future Water: Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Water Industry voluntary commitments: At least 20% of energy used to come from renewable sources by 2020 Research to understand, measure and manage non-CO2 greenhouse gases

  17. The Carbon Challenge…. • Emissions targets • Versus • Higher standards (WFD daughter directives etc); projected increases in demand for water; etc

  18. Part of the solution…? • Water efficiency • Reduced emissions from treatment and distribution • Reduced environmental impact of abstraction • Helps WFD objectives • Reduced demand – offset new resource needs

More Related