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 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN

Climate change is widely considered to be the largest problem facing humanity in the 21st century. Average temperatures in the UK have risen by over a degree in the last decade, weather patterns and extreme weather events such as storm Arwen (which decimated Ludlow’s Medieval Fayre in 2021) have become far more frequent and record temperatures being seen across the UK year on year

 

Ludlow Town Council declared its Climate Emergency Resolution in 2019 but the pandemic prevented any major action taking place.   An important step in helping the Council to achieve its aim of reaching zero carbon by 2030 is to have a robust Action Plan with attainable objectives and a process for monitoring progress. Due to the time lost it was felt that upon return to 'normal life'  Ludlow Town council in June 2022 to set up a Climate action sub-committee.

 

A Climate Action plan that was initially proposed by the town Clerk in 2019 was subsequently approved by the newly created Cllimate Action Sub-Committee on the 7th March 2022. The six subdivisions of the climate action plan are listed and explained below. For a link to the Carbon Footprint Analysis document please press the link below.

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Mobilisation and leadership

 

  • Review/Update appropriate council policies to align with Climate Emergency commitment
  • Create/update the Climate Emergency page on website and publicise commitment, initiatives, and achievements in reducing LTC carbon footprint as recommended by the Climate Action Group
  • Refer to the Climate Emergency and the need for renewable energy/improved sustainability measures in comments on planning applications using the document produced by Julian Dean Shropshire Council
  • Include Climate Emergency references in all new contract specifications and Invitations to Tender and include in the evaluation process – to be researched and drafted by the Climate Action Group 

Energy Efficiency 

  • In line with the findings of the Carbon Audit carried out in 2020, prioritise the following for the Guildhall:                                                                                                                                               a)     Change to a green energy provider as soon as practicable                                               b)     Investigate installing roof insulation and secondary glazing                                             c)     Replace all internal lights with LED bulbs                                                                               d)     Investigate installing Air Source Heat Pumps or using Infra-red heating                       e)     Commit to following the other recommendations in the Carbon Audit                                   report as soon as practicable
  • Continue to replace LTC streetlights with LED
  • Agree timetable to replace existing plant and machinery with electric power 

 

  • Toilets sinks and other water oulets.                                                                                                                  a) Investigate the replacement of taps at all Council-owned or operated                                   premises with press-button, aerated/sensor taps                                                                  b) Investigate the replacement of water-flushing limitations in all toilets.                                 An easy option is to install ‘hippo-bags’ or similar in single-flush toilet                                   cisterns                                                                                                                                              c) Investigate the replacement of single-flush cisterns with sensor-flushing                             mechanisms                                                                                                                                       d) Then carry out the works when suitable replacements have been found
  • Internal Lighting.                                                                                                                                                    a)    Replace internal lighting with LED-movement sensor lights at all Council-                           owned or operated premises                                                                                                      b)    Measure the savings after installation due to lower running costs

 

 

Renewable Energy

 

  • Investigate and review annually energy providers’ commitment to and investment in renewable energy, with a view to changing if we are not happy to their commitments.

  • Solar Panels.
            a)    Investigate installing solar/PV panels at DLF depot and Henley Road Cemetery                   and council-owned land

            b)    Once the work is decided on, measure the cost/benefits to identify the savings.

  • Electric Vehicle Charging points.    

          a)    Scope costings for installing EV charging points at Henley Road depot and agree               timetable to replace existing DLF fleet with Electric Vehicles

          b)    There will be costs in replacing these but there are contributory grants                                available which might help toward to cost  

  • Source local contractors and materials as a first option 

  • Review/update LTC’s travel policy to identify mechanism for staff and councillors’ shared travel plans

     

Consumption and waste

 

  • Ensure all contractors have a ‘Zero to Landfill’ policy which is regularly reviewed and adhered to.
  • Renew planting vessels with built-in water reservoirs to reduce the need for watering (L-i-B)
  • Install rainwater butts where possible, but especially at the DLF depot. 
  • With L-i-B, plant where possible perennials, with emphasis on bee, insect & butterfly-friendly plants and herbs including drought-resilient plants.
  • With Shropshire Council, review Dog bin/Litter bin locations.In all Council premises discourage single-use plastic containers and packaging for staff refreshments and lunches e.g. buy locally-made fresh sandwiches, cakes, fruit, etc not pre-packed; consider making fresh hot drinks using loose coffee and tea and purchasing milk from local dairies.
  • Continue to ensure all waste is recycled and re-used wherever possible; consider Terra-cycle as an additional recycle option.
  • Refill hand washing and washing-up liquid single-use plastic bottles with locally-bought eco-friendly products (Eco-Leaf or Bio-D)

Adaption and resilience

 

  • Review Open Space management plan; reduce grass-cutting and introduce wild-flower meadow alternatives and wild verges especially at the Linney and Housman Crescent play areas
  • Agree tree-planting strategy for all LTC-owned spaces
  • Purchase peat-free compost

engaging the community

 

  • Include Climate Emergency/Action in Civic Awards
  • Agree Climate-related criteria in Grant funding
  • Looking at inviting representatives from local schools and Ludlow College to join the Climate Action Group
  • Continue to liaise with local groups and organisations involved in climate activities
  • Consider appointing Climate Ambassador
  • Consider establishing a Citizens’ Assembly using Herefordshire Council’s experience
  • LTC to Join the Refill.org.uk association and look at how it can be used at the Guildhall, Museum and Castle Street car park office for people to refill their water bottles

Useful Links :

     'Autotrader, Electric Vehicle Charging Points' written in blue font in the centre of a circle  a simple logo depicting south shropshire climate action inside an orange puddleshropshire good food partnership surrounded by the form of a green plate with two forks on the outside   two hands encompasing the Earth with COP 27 incased within the globe