SC(3) CR-I&PB2

Sustainability Committee

Inquiry into Carbon Reduction in Wales: Carbon Reduction by Industry and Public Bodies

Response from Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust

Ms. Virginia Hawkins,
Clerk to the Sustainability Committee,
National Assembly for Wales,
Cardiff Bay,
CARDIFF.
CF99 1NA

Dear Ms. Hawkins,

Sustainability Committee Inquiry into Carbon Reduction in Wales: Carbon Reduction by Industry and Public Bodies.

I refer to your letter of the 20^th November 2007, requesting comments on a number of questions in relation to carbon reduction by public bodies.  The Trust has now considered this matter and would respond as follows.

Question 1:   Is the proposed 3% annual reduction target by 2011 in areas of devolved competence sufficient to enable Wales to make its full contribution to meeting UK -wide targets? If not, what targets should be put in place?  

The proposed 3% annual reduction target by 2011 within the public sector is a realistic figure.

Question 2: Should the emission targets be based on welsh consumption, or production, or both (i.e. should it take into consideration the carbon dioxide generated in Wales (production), or the carbon dioxide emissions that Wales residents are responsible for, regardless of their source (consumption)

The Trust believes that the emission targets should be based on both Welsh production and consumption.  

Question 3: What particular challenges do Wales face in reducing Carbon dioxide emissions from industry and public bodies, and how can these challenges be overcome?

There are several challenges that need to be addressed in the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. i.e.: -

• Transport There is a continuing increase in volume of traffic on the highways. To overcome the problem financial incentives could be introduced for encouraging alternative transport methods; Improving cycling facilities (i.e. cycle paths), car sharing and liaising with local public transport companies to improve facilities.

• Waste There is a significant proportion of waste produced that goes to landfill, that could be recycled. To overcome the problem the Welsh Assembly Government could develop a comprehensive waste strategy of kerb side collections at residential level and a similar strategy for industrial areas.

• Energy There is an ever increasing demand for energy. To overcome problems, the introduction of renewable technologies supported through financial incentives or subsidies, which could include biomass boilers, wind farms, hydro electric generation, rainwater harvesting and solar panels.

The Welsh Assembly Government could consider the issuing clear guidance on the use of air condition in public buildings, which details best practice for the installation and use of air conditioning systems.

Question 4: Do current Welsh Assembly Government economic development policies give sufficient emphasis to carbon reduction?

No comment

Question 5: To what extent has the Welsh Assembly Government been successful in utilising the powers available to it in order to reduce carbon emissions from industry and public bodies?

Within the NHS the Welsh Assembly Government has introduced a Central Energy Fund for NHS Trusts to use to fund the schemes aimed at reducing carbon emissions over the last three years.  

Welsh Assembly Government has also encouraged a more proactive approach to recycling.  Over the last three years the Welsh Assembly Government has also introduced a Reuse and Recycling Equipment Fund to the value of £5,000 per Trust.  

Stemming from the initiatives Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust has formed a partnership with The Carbon Trust in the implementation of a Carbon Management Programme setting CO2 emission targets for the next five years.

Question 6: Could alternative targeting of Welsh Assembly Government financial resources lead to greater emissions reduction from industry and public bodies than is currently being achieved ?If so, where could additional resources lead to greater impact? (Please provide detail to support your evidence)

Alternative targeting of financial resources could lead to emission reduction in the following areas:

• Transport A financial incentive towards the development and implementation of travel plans in all organisations;

• Waste A financial incentive for developing recycling within an organisation as this;

• Energy A financial incentive for supporting the introduction of renewable technologies.

Question 7: What examples from other administrations (devolved ,UK, and overseas) where other means have been used to achieve reductions in carbon dioxide emissions from industry and public bodies, could be adopted in Wales under current powers?

Within England there has been a fund of £100 million to support carbon reduction initiatives including CHP, Bio Mass, Wind Farms and Hydro electric Power as well as Absorption chilling and Energy Efficient Lighting in the NHS. .

Question 8:In the context of the Government of Wales Act 2006, which further means of reducing carbon dioxide emissions from industry and public bodies could only be achieved with the introduction of further legislative competence for the National assembly for Wales?

The Welsh Assembly Government should adopt the power to fine organisations which fail to maintain a carbon management action plans.  Setting clear targets for carbon emission for public and private organisations, based on a classification of buildings i.e. schools, offices and hospitals that also takes into account their size and utilisation.

Question 9: If specific carbon dioxide emissions targets are to be set for Wales, should those targets be subdivided into shares by sector? If so, what share of the total should reductions by industry and public bodies comprise?

The targets should be segregated into shares by sectors and public bodies and industry, with public bodies in the region of 20%. This is based on the figures published within the Welsh Assembly Government Cabinet Written Statement titled Carbon dioxide Emissions in Wales June 2^nd 2006. This does not reflect all work done to date and can penalise organisations that have been proactive in carbon reduction. A target for carbon reduction similar to those for energy should be considered for carbon emissions i.e. Co² per m² for buildings

Question 10: How will the Carbon Reduction Commitment affect your business? Should the proposed commitment be amended in any way?

The Carbon Reduction Commitment will not affect Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust as the Trust is committed to the concept and practice of sustainable development, recognising the inextricable link between the health and the environment. The Trust also recognises that as a major employer and soon to be one of the largest Trusts in the UK with over 14,000 staff and significant spending power, it therefore believes it has to set an example with respect to carbon management and uses its unique position to best effect.

I hope that this response is self-explanatory, however should you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely,

P.G. Stauber
Director Of Planning.