Local Carbon Frameworks Expert Group
Katie King is working as part of an expert group to support the nine pilot Local Carbon Framework programme areas of Plymouth, Bristol, Oxford, Nottingham, Haringey, Northumberland, Manchester City Region, Bournemouth, Dorset & Poole and Leeds City Region.
The aims of the expert group are:
- to provide strategic direction and expert knowledge to support the programme projects in the pilot areas;
- to provide guidance on the use of data to improve carbon baselining and monitoring and to recommend methods for measuring, reporting and benchmarking against locally derived targets;
- to evaluate future scenario modelling tools;
- to recommend further development/enhancement of tools and processes to allow the LCF to be implemented in other areas.
Worcestershire carbon modelling
Aether has provided Worcestershire County Council with a quantitative framework for analysing the County’s carbon baseline and to undertake future carbon scenario modelling. The project has provided the Worcestershire Partnership with a ‘carbon hub’ for storing and analysing carbon baseline data. It has also provided an estimate of the impact of national policy measures on local emissions and of the additional carbon savings that can be achieved through local action.
TrACE - Tracking Action on Carbon Emissions
Aether developed the concept and prototype version of TrACE for the Energy Savings Trust. This was a freely available spreadsheet based tool for Local Authorities to use to track action on carbon emissions. TrACE can be used to record and monitor progress on measures to reduce emissions and provide summary evidence for senior managers and auditors. A web based version is now available. Aether is able to provide training to Local Authorities in the use of the tool.
Link to TrACE tool:
Mapping local emissions
Aether has extensive experience in the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for modelling and mapping emissions and analysing spatial data. Katie developed the methods for calculating the UK 1km resolution emission maps that are part of the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory. This valuable dataset can be used to inform local and regional emissions reduction strategies.
Link to NAEI emission maps:
Local Authority CO2 emissions (National Indicator 186)
Katie King was instrumental in the development of the dataset behind the National Indicator 186 (per capita carbon emissions) chosen by 100 local authorities as a priority in their Local Area Agreements. The dataset is based on energy consumption data from DECC and the NAEI emission maps. Aether has indepth knowledge of the NI186 data and the measures required for reducing emissions. We are therefore well placed to provide advice to Local Authorities facing the challenge of targets for emissions reductions.
Link to LA Carbon emissions data and report:http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/indicators/ni186/ni186.aspx
PERAT
Aether is part of a development team funded by the London Borough of Croydon to create a clear and easy-to-use Excel-based Planning Emission Reduction and Assessment Tool (PERAT). At the simplist level, PERAT calculates emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter from current and future building stock using floor area and building type estimates. The tool was presented at the Low Emission Strategies workshop on the 13th July, which was attended by 45 people from local, regional and central government and the private sector.
Link to the Low Emission Strategies workshop eventhttp://www.lowemissionstrategies.org/newsitems/11_07_jul/event_LES_toolkit_july11_workshop.html