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Observations on Sustainable Energy Action Planning Dominic Sims 16 th July 2013. Overview. Review the components of a SEAP SEAP assessment Criteria Discuss sample SEAPs Observations and comments . What is a SEAP?. 2008 EC formed the Covenant of Mayors
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Observations on Sustainable Energy Action PlanningDominic Sims16th July 2013
Overview • Review the components of a SEAP • SEAP assessment Criteria • Discuss sample SEAPs • Observations and comments
What is a SEAP? • 2008 EC formed the Covenant of Mayors • Main focus was (is) supporting 20% CO2 emissions reduction by 2020 • Sustainable Energy Action Plan was introduced to implement this • SEAP planning guidelines published in 2010 • 4,866 signatory cities
Key components of a SEAP • A Baseline Emissions Inventory (BEI) using the CoM template
Key components of a SEAP (cont) • A plan that uses the BEI to identify reduction actions and outlines how actions will be implemented
Covenant Assessment Criteria • Political approval • Specific CO2 targets • Inclusion of a BEI • List of actions • Compliance with the Template • Complete data
Current SEAPs • 2,964 SEAPS currently with CoM • 1,494 Accepted • CoM staffing supports only cursory review • Progress reporting and updates are the responsibility of the cities • Huge variety of submission formats and qualities • Specific SEAPs • Policy information document • Reference document • Efficacy...?
STEP UP and Enhanced SEAPs • Organisations and Stakeholder identification and engagement • Identification of energy technologies and projects • Addressing economic issues • Integration of multiple objectives beyond CO2 reduction • Realistic and Achievable
SEAP Review • Looked at many, chose 9 SEAPs • Compared scope and formats looking for compliance to CoM guidelines • Also looking for ideas that might contribute to ‘Enhanced SEAP’ processes • Followed up supporting documents • Strengths / Weaknesses • Ideas for Glasgow
SEAP Review • Pre 2010 Guidance • London (Feb 2010) • Freiburg (2007) • Post 2010 Guidance • Liverpool • Bath • Birmingham • Stockholm • Northern Ireland • Cork • Manchester • CAVEAT – without going inside the respective councils and discussing...
General Observations • Emissions data is rarely provided in the CoM template (only Birmingham and Cork) • Political leadership / ownership of SEAP reflected in subsequent policy documents • Detailed finances rarely discussed
Criteria / Observations • Approved by an official body (in principle the municipal council) • Freiburg – town business plan is based on being green • London strong support shown in follow on policy, mayoral participation in committees, etc. • Birmingham and Manchester have provided SEAP updates • Baseline Emission Inventory (BEI) • Some form of inventory needs to be provided, but format might need to be reviewed • LEGGI • C40 proposal on GHG accounting for cities • Cities to build to full carbon accounting (Manchester)
Criteria / Observations • Include a set of actions in the key sectors of activity. • Level of detail that should be provided ? • Accountability for performance • Organisation and Stakeholders • Means of engaging and showing political commitment key • London - Mayors Electricity summit / working group. London heat map • Stockholm is a good example of public engagement • Establishment of dedicated working teams for the SEAP, with governance reporting to senior leadership
Criteria / Observations • Wider policy goals • What is the role of the SEAP? CoM says its CO2 reduction... • Should SEAP set other goals, or acknowledge and work with other goals via wider council policy? • Integration with high level council policy • London – SEAP seems dead, with ‘Energy Future’ in place • Freiburg seems to run a stand alone ‘Environmental Policy’ • Manchester Core Strategy references the SEAP and includes SEAP policy • Alignment with regional/national/EC policies and schemes • London and Manchester both do this well
Criteria / Observations • Energy and Technology • All propose actions for energy efficiency / use reduction • Key seems to be leverage / facilitate national programs • Develop key local projects • Economics • Few SEAPs to date go into this level of detail • Is it part of the SEAP remit to do project feasibility / funding? • Stockholm indicates SEAP to inform budget planning • Birmingham implies same, then steers towards PPP/PFI • Latest city budget bodes ill
Source: Sustainable Glasgow Report 2010
Conclusions • Policy proposal, policy or a program feasibility study? • Current guidance is good • will produce a robust SEAP • But... • Sustained political commitment is key • Sustainable Energy needs to be a central policy plank • Reflected in core strategy and whole of council engagement with stakeholders