Many councils are working with their local Transition Town groups on joint projects. Two councils (Somerset and Nottingham) have passed motions to reduce dependence on oil, and Chesire West and Chester LSP has recently produced a strategy document.
In July 2008, Somerset County Council voted unanimously to endorse a motion that they become the UK's first 'Transition Local Authority' (See http://www.somerset.gov.uk/council/board1/2008%20July%2023%20Minutes.pdf AI188). The endorsed proposal was
That this Council
1) acknowledges the work done by communities in Somerset on Transition Towns and that the independence of the Transition Movement is key to its grass roots appeal.
2) as demonstrated in its Climate Change Strategy, fully endorses the Transition Town Movement and subscribes to the principles and ethos of the organisations goals to reduce dependence on fuel oil and create more sustainable communities.
3) commits to providing support and assistance to all towns in Somerset that wish to join this initiative to help them achieve the goals they set for themselves as local communities, as demonstrated under the 'Community Initiatives' section of the Climate Change Strategy.
4) therefore, requests the Scrutiny and Executive Committees to consider through the councils strategic planning process:
• allocating funds to assist in achieving the outcomes of the Transition Towns Movement in Somerset.
• requiring all directorates to engage with and provide support for Transition Initiatives in Somerset
5) through the work outlined above, seeks to become the first Transition Authority in the UK.
6) agrees to undertake a review of its budgets and services to achieve a reduction in dependence on fuel oil and produce an energy descent action plan in line with the principles of the Transition Initiative.
1) acknowledges the work done by communities in Somerset on Transition Towns and that the independence of the Transition Movement is key to its grass roots appeal.
2) as demonstrated in its Climate Change Strategy, fully endorses the Transition Town Movement and subscribes to the principles and ethos of the organisations goals to reduce dependence on fuel oil and create more sustainable communities.
3) commits to providing support and assistance to all towns in Somerset that wish to join this initiative to help them achieve the goals they set for themselves as local communities, as demonstrated under the 'Community Initiatives' section of the Climate Change Strategy.
4) therefore, requests the Scrutiny and Executive Committees to consider through the councils strategic planning process:
• allocating funds to assist in achieving the outcomes of the Transition Towns Movement in Somerset.
• requiring all directorates to engage with and provide support for Transition Initiatives in Somerset
5) through the work outlined above, seeks to become the first Transition Authority in the UK.
6) agrees to undertake a review of its budgets and services to achieve a reduction in dependence on fuel oil and produce an energy descent action plan in line with the principles of the Transition Initiative.
In December 2008, Nottingham City Council resolved (See Minutes Item 64)
That this Council acknowledges the forthcoming impact of peak oil. The Council therefore needs to respond, and help the citizens it serves respond, to the likelihood of shrinking oil supply but in a way which will nevertheless maintains the Citys prosperity. It acknowledges that actions taken to adapt to and mitigate against climate change also help us adapt issues around peak oil.
It will do this by:
• developing an understanding of the impact of peak oil on the local economy and the local community
• encouraging a move across the city towards sustainable transport, cycling and walking throughout the city
• pursuing a rigorous energy efficiency and conservation programme through its carbon management plan, the work towards EMAS accreditation and on leading on raising energy awareness across all sectors to reduce dependency on oil based energy in the city
• supporting research and production within the city which helps develop local effective alternative energy supplies and energy saving products in order to encourage a move away from oil based fuels and also in order to create local green collar jobs
• co-ordinating policy and action on reducing our citys carbon dependency and in response to the need to mitigate and adapt to climate change and peak oil.
In this way Nottingham City Council will not only be helping the city to rise to the challenge of peak oil but also encourage the city to grasp the opportunities which peak oil offers.
It will do this by:
• developing an understanding of the impact of peak oil on the local economy and the local community
• encouraging a move across the city towards sustainable transport, cycling and walking throughout the city
• pursuing a rigorous energy efficiency and conservation programme through its carbon management plan, the work towards EMAS accreditation and on leading on raising energy awareness across all sectors to reduce dependency on oil based energy in the city
• supporting research and production within the city which helps develop local effective alternative energy supplies and energy saving products in order to encourage a move away from oil based fuels and also in order to create local green collar jobs
• co-ordinating policy and action on reducing our citys carbon dependency and in response to the need to mitigate and adapt to climate change and peak oil.
In this way Nottingham City Council will not only be helping the city to rise to the challenge of peak oil but also encourage the city to grasp the opportunities which peak oil offers.
In March 2009, the West Cheshire Together Local Strategic Partnership produced a well-researched and evidenced strategy document: Vision 2050: A Sustainable future for Cheshire West and Chester (See LSP document here (page 55).
Local Government Association
The Local Government Association (www.lga.gov.uk) has produced a number of relevant documents.
Be aware, be prepared, take action II: what do the latest climate projections mean for you? 2009
UK Climate Projections 09 - a powerful tool to show how the climate in the UK could change, with information at a local level.
Go to: http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/publications/publication-display.do?id=7759710
Volatile times - Transport, climate change and the price of oil.
This report looks at the theory and evidence behind the high volatility of oil pricesand makes key recommendations to councils. December 2008. Go to: http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/core/page.do?pageId=1335145 or download the report from: http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/aio/1335142 .
A climate of change: final report of the LGA Climate Change Commission. 2007
www.lga.gov.uk/lga/publications/publication-display.do?id=20630
Cutting through the green tape: the powers councils have to tackle climate change. 2008
www.lga.gov.uk/lga/publications/publication-display.do?id=874295
Creating green jobs: developing low-carbon economies.
This publication outlines measures to help create 150,000 new jobs in the low-carbon economy - jobs that help save carbon, reduce fuel poverty, increase our energy security and build resilience in those areas at greatest risk from climate change. 2009.
www.lga.gov.uk/lga/publications/publication-display.do?id=1509490
Be aware, be prepared, take action: how to integrate climate change adaptation strategies into local government. 2008.
www.lga.gov.uk/lga/publications/publication-display.do?id=566301
Other Transition Towns
Responses from other Transition Towns to their local Sustainable Community Strategy include:
• T Stroud: http://transitiontownstroud.blogspot.com/2008/01/transition-stroud-response-to.html
• TT Brixton: re Lambeth http://transitiontowns.org/Brixton/SCSideas
Other Documents
The Oil Crunch: Securing the UKs energy future (published Oct 2008), a report from the Industry Taskforce on Peak Oil & Energy Security (made up of eight leading UK companies from a broad spectrum of industry: Arup, FirstGroup, Foster + Partners, Scottish and Southern Energy, Solarcentury, Stagecoach Group, Virgin Group, Yahoo.
• warning that a peak in cheap, easily available oil production is likely to hit by 2013, posing a grave risk to the UK and world economy
• document available from http://peakoiltaskforce.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/oil-report-final.pdf
Preparing for Peak Oil: Local Authorities and the Energy Crisis prepared by the Oil Depletion Analysis Centre and the Post carbon Institute. 2008. 41 pages. Free download www.odac-info.org/sites/odac.postcarbon.org/files/Preparing_for_Peak_Oil.pdf