180 likes | 420 Vues
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.
E N D
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
Outline Climate Change Act Climate Change Adaptation programme The water industry and carbon Future Water
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
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
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
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
Policy measures on carbon Climate Change Levy EU Emissions Trading Scheme Climate Change Agreements Renewables Obligation Carbon Reduction Commitment
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
Future Water - Feb 2008 Key messages: - Need for everyone to value water - Everyone taking responsibility
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
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
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
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
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
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
The Carbon Challenge…. • Emissions targets • Versus • Higher standards (WFD daughter directives etc); projected increases in demand for water; etc
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