SC(3) CR-R2

Sustainability Committee

Inquiry into Carbon Reduction in Wales: Residential Carbon Reduction

Response from Cardiff Council

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 adequacy of the proposed 3% annual reduction by 2011 in devolved regions really depends on how much progress has already been made in these areas since 1990 as this is the baseline year that UK Kyoto targets are monitored against (60% reduction by 2050, based on 1990 baseline, plus additional UK target of 20% reduction by 2010).  If no significant progress has yet been made then 3% is too low, but increasing it to a larger annual percentage would be challenging.  Any targets set should tie in with the draft Climate Change Bill reduction targets, and these in turn should be evidence based and in keeping with the latest IPCC science on the subject.

2. Should the emission reduction target be based on Welsh consumption, or production, or both?

Whilst we don't want to double account for emissions if targets are not set for both aspects then there will be no incentive for reduction in all areas.

3. What particular challenges does Wales face in reducing carbon dioxide emissions from households, and how can these challenges be overcome?

The key challenge is the quantity of older housing stock in Wales.  Retrofitting of energy efficiency measures and renewable technology is both difficult and expensive on such properties.  Another challenge is how to achieve behavioural change amongst householders as awareness raising campaigns generally have limited effect.

4. To what extent has the WAG financial resources lead to greater household emissions reduction than is currently being achieved?

No response.

5. Could alternative targeting of WAG financial resources lead to greater household emissions reduction than is currently being achieved?

No response.

6. What examples from other administrations where other means have been used to achieve reductions in household carbon dioxide emissions, could be adopted in Wales under current powers?

No response.

7. In the context of the Government of Wales Act 2006, which further means of reducing carbon dioxide emissions from households could only be achieved with the introduction of further legislative competence from the NAW?

Finalisation of Climate Change MIPPS, and devolution and strengthening of building regulations.  

8. 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 household comprise?

Yes the targets should be subdivided into shares by sector to encourage accountability and responsibility.  Again it is hard to state what % share in the reduction targets households should comprise as it needs to be considered against progress made in all sectors since 1990.