Delivering Eco Island
Astrid Davies & Jim FawcettIsle of Wight Council
Barriers to Environmental Sustainability,University of Southampton,
23 September 2009
The ISP’s membership is wide
• The Island Strategic Partnership (ISP) spans the public, private and third (voluntary and community) sectors, plus faith groups and Parishes/Towns
• There are around 50 different organisations in the ISP, all with an important role to play
• The ISP is chaired by the Leader of the Council.
The Sustainable Community Strategy
The Island’s Sustainable Community Strategy is “Eco Island”
The vision is:
We want the Isle of Wight to become a world renowned Eco-Island, with a thriving economy, a real sense of pride and where residents and visitors enjoy healthy lives, feel safe and are treated with respect
The four themes of Eco Island
• Healthy and Supportive Island
• Inspiring Island
• Thriving Island
• Safe and Well-kept Island
Healthy and supportive Island– what we have been doing
Inspiring Island– what we have been doing
Thriving Island – what we have been doing
Safe and well-kept Island– what we have been doing
Environmental Sustainability
An Ambitious Island
• By 2020 we aim to have the smallest per capita carbon footprint in England
• We aim to be self-sufficient in electricity from renewable sources
• We aim to reduce our ecological footprint as much as possible through radical action on waste, transport, water, consumption and environmental technologies
• We aim to have the support of the local community in bringing about this radical transformation
• We aim to IMPROVE people’s QUALITY OF LIFE
About our MoU
• Memorandum of Understanding, between University of Southampton and the Isle of Wight Council, signed 15 May 2008
• IW Council signed on behalf of its wider Strategic Partnership colleagues – broad multi-agency base
• It has established a sound basis for future joint working, on any subject covered by the Council, its work with its Island partners, or the University
• The point is to offer the University a site for research, which benefits the Island community
Joint working “under the MoU”
• Summit meeting September 2008 to review progress – VC and Heads of School, plus IWC Directors & Island NHS
• “Isle of Wight Group”, led by William Powrie (Civil Engineering & the Environment)
• 23 projects in different stages, from idea to delivery• Participation in bid to run new Cowes secondary
school as community enterprise hub
Some examples of cross-workingSome ideas …
• Science Park?• Waste Strategy?• Older People?• Teenage pregnancy
rates?• ISP board
memberships?
Some actual Projects!
• Tidal energy test centre• Thermodynamic model• Raising educational
attainment• Employer Engagement• Participatory Budgeting
& engagement• Climate change impacts
on S. Coast
What we have to offer
A platform
to put sustainability theory into practice
Because…..
• The Island is a defined geographical area• It is a ‘closed’ system allowing accurate
measurement of inputs and outcomes• It has a strategic commitment to environmental
sustainability• It is a microcosm• There is access to Council services, ISP partners,
residents’ data and surveys• The Council has a research governance function
Delivering Eco Island
Astrid Davies & Jim FawcettIsle of Wight Council
Barriers to Environmental Sustainability,University of Southampton,
23 September 2009
Eco Island – Workshop
Jim Fawcett & Astrid Davies
“Wedges of Opportunity”
•Energy
•Water
•Waste
•Transport
•Consumables
•Tourism
•Built Environment
•Environmental Technology
Energy / Carbon
2020 Ambition:
Smallest per capita carbon footprint of any local authority area in England
Carbon emissions 2005-07
822 ktCO2 - 773 ktCO2
6.0 t - 5.5 t per capita
Reduction target = 4% per annum, including BAU growth
Require >15% demand reduction from domestic + industry by 2020.
Renewable Energy
2020 Ambition:Self-sufficient in renewable electricity
Current installed capacity = 2.4 MWPlanning consent for small wind farm (1.8MW), landfill gas utilisation project and
small tidal turbineTarget = c.170MWOpportunities identified in offshore wind, tidal energy, biomass and energy from
waste
Water
2020 Ambition:Self-sufficient in water supply
Current consumption = 122l/p/dCross Solent main delivers 10-12ml/d = 25-33% of demandCurrent metering at 93% domestic properties
Waste
2020 AmbitionZero non-essential waste to landfill (by 2015)
Current waste arisings:MSW 97,000 tpaC&I 147,000 tpaGasification Plant takes 30,000 tpa household wasteNo facilities for hazardous waste or fallen stock
Transport
2020 AmbitionA leading region for ‘next generation’ vehicles
Carbon emissions (included in footprint) 2005-07143 ktCO2 - 141 ktCO260% of journeys <3kmHuge increase in bus journeys (one of the highest in England)Little significant impact on car use
Other Ambitions
• One of Northern Europe’s leading destinations for low ecological impact tourism
• European centre for environmental technologies and best practice
• Delivering class leading quality of life and sustainability performance from our urban and rural environments
Research Opportunities 1Technical solutions• Energy efficiency retrofit• Implementation of renewable energy systems• Low carbon fuel infrastructure – electric /
hydrogen• Increase local water supply – desalination,
agricultural reservoirs, on-site systems• Systems for processing commercial waste for
recycling / reuse
Research Opportunities 2 Behaviour change• Green citizenship – permanent change to
lifestyles of residents and business practices (energy, water, transport, waste)
• Sustainable tourism destination e.g. car free tourism
• Impacts of behaviour change• Local food networks
Research Opportunities 3Financial modelling• Island ‘Balance Sheet’ – cost of transition
compared to financial savings for residents and businesses
• Community investment• Local production and consumption• Recirculation of finance
Research Opportunities 4 Holistic approach• Evaluation of projects• Impacts on quality of life• Does environmental sustainability make a
difference – indicators?• Opportunities to strengthen educational
attainment and skill levels• The Island as a KTP
Discussion
• What are the immediate opportunities?
• How can holistic research projects be devised?
• Who should be involved?
• What do researchers need from us?
• What next?