Memorandum submitted by the Institution
of Civil Engineers (ICE) (CIT 42)
INSTITUTION OF
CIVIL ENGINEERS
1. The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
is a UK-based international organisation with over 75,000 members
ranging from professional civil engineers to students. It is an
educational and qualifying body and has charitable status under
UK law. Founded in 1818, the ICE has become recognised worldwide
for its excellence as a centre of learning, as a qualifying body
and as a public voice for the profession.
2. With regards to carbon emission policy,
there has been ongoing debate whether the introduction of tougher
carbon cap-and-trade regulations or the increased subsidisation
of carbon-low (or free) technologies is the most effective strategy.
ICE believes that the most successful way forward is a combination
of these two approaches.
Any successful strategy to reduce carbon emissions
should represent a clear timeline to gradually introduce further
limits on carbon emissions, both in industry and for the individual,
and a strong commitment to spending on immediately available,
carbon-friendly technologies.
Ultimately, we must acknowledge that the current
level of greenhouse gas emissions from the developed nations as
well as the emerging economies of China, India and Brazil is the
single most important issue facing future generations. The steps
we commit to now will lay the groundwork for those generations'
survival.
What is the real scope for individual and local
community action to contribute to tackling climate change? Some
areas for possible consideration include:
Reducing energy consumption—not only electricity,
but also energy used in heating and transportation
3. The technology exists today to deliver
significant reductions in energy demand and associated emissions,
but such reductions will only be achieved if consumers and other
market participants perceive sufficient reasons to do so.
4. Improving efficiency is crucial, but
if consumers still have the same habits, they will simply do more
for the same cost. People need to question why they do something.
The same applies to local authorities; specifically, we would
point to the failure to deliver the proposed energy certification
of public buildings.
5. The government's success in promoting
recycling shows that with a consistent message and the correct
incentives for local authorities and other intermediaries, real
progress can be made in "greening homes and business".
There are a number of other areas where rapid progress could be
made, especially as homes and non-domestic buildings account for
roughly 40% of all UK climate-change emissions. [5]
6. There is a need to simplify the regulation
and incentive structures applying to combined heat and power;
the technologies exist to deliver more combined heat and power
(CHP) capacity but barriers still exist, particularly at the small-scale
level.
7. ICE encourages the Government to introduce
a renewable heat obligation to promote biofuels and CHP. The current
renewables policy misses opportunities by focusing exclusively
on grid-connected power-generation.
8. However, the skills-base necessary to
maintain and install a high number of small-scale CHP systems
may be lacking. The market will address this, so long as there
is sufficient incentive and certainty. The government needs to
assist in creating these conditions.
9. With regards to the Government's stated
goal of ensuring that all homes are adequately heated, we encourage
the upgrading of thermal performance of housing stock and improving
the efficiency of energy-using devices. Such a move would also
make a significant impact on fuel poverty.
10. While the increase in recycling is a
success story, ICE strongly cautions against a simplistic approach
to waste management that judges success in terms of tonnes of
material recovered. "The case for a resource management strategy"
states that a tonnage based approach to recycling can actually
contribute to higher levels of carbon emissions, if waste materials
are diverted to energy intensive reprocessing options, for example
the conversion of glass into construction aggregate. [6]Subsequently
ICE supports the idea of establishing a network of resource management
facilities that would combine remanufacturing, energy re-capture,
composting and other options to best reduce waste disposal's impact
on the environment.
11. Additionally, government at all levels
should make more of a commitment to reducing its own transportation
emissions, through wider use of tele- and video-conferencing for
"virtual" meetings. The technology exists to make this
more and more common.
The provision of desirable low carbon alternatives,
such as energy saving lightbulbs ...
12. ICE suggests that the focus should be
on proper sustainable communities, decentralised energy production
and reducing the need for long-distance travel.
13. The delivery of low carbon technologies
is dependent on innovation and engineering development, which
clearly denotes a commitment to R&D. Innovation can be delivered,
but we also encourage Government to define its priorities, and
offer encouragement accordingly. Any spending on R&D should
be focused on UK specific issues, such as identification of sites
for safe geological disposal of CO2.
14. Low-carbon options that could be considered
for the local level:
(Any technology options should be considered
in terms of their lifetime cost and global carbon emissions.)
15. In addition, ICE strongly supports moves
to encourage public transport, but remind government of its responsibility
of legislating universal emissions standards for public-transport
fleets. There must also be a continual program of improvement
in public transport to insure both high standards and customer
commitment.
16. The long-term objective should be to
use a diverse mix of zero and low-carbon technologies, using mainly
indigenous sources of energy. Not only will this lower emissions,
it is a good strategy for managing potential risks to security
of energy supply.
The potential for, and barriers to, microgeneration
17. Individuals can change behaviour to
reduce their carbon impact, and therefore we believe that a grassroots
move to microgeneration will have an increasingly greater impact
as time passes. However, the vast majority of people will naturally
favour personal (and immediate) cost benefits over their concerns
for the environment. Therefore, the most effective means of promoting
low-carbon living is likely to be increased funding of technological
R&D that will contribute to producing not only carbon-friendly
technologies for personal use, but make them economically attractive
to consumers. ICE therefore believes the focus should be on implementation,
perhaps initially at larger user level (ie commercial), to prove
effectiveness, and also to let the network providers accept the
technology in stages, rather than to open the network to everybody
all at once.
18. Businesses especially will be sensitive
to the cost benefits of environmental improvements. Therefore,
we propose that businesses that can demonstrate (through smart
metering) their commitment to continuing reduction of carbon emissions
should be rewarded through a tax incentive system.
We have identified earlier potential skills
shortages that could slow the progress of microgeneration.
Awareness of climate change and availability of information
about the role of the individual in tackling the problem
19. Whilst people are becoming more fearful
of climate change, their knowledge of its causes, and therefore
the impact they can make, is limited. [7]It
is not only a matter of education; rather, it is a sense of people
feeling overwhelmed and wondering if their efforts are worthwhile.
Government must encourage responsible living without appearing
to harangue—a difficult balance. The perception that "we
are all doomed" can lead people to conclude they can do nothing
to make a difference. We are concerned that the concept of Local
Agenda 21— "think globally and act locally, making
a difference"—seems to have been lost. [8]
What are the barriers to uptake of climate change
mitigation strategies at the level of the individual, and how
can they be overcome? Are current incentives such as the energy
efficiency commitment or graduated vehicle excise duty sufficiently
strong to affect behaviour?
20. These strategies are both excellent
starting points. ICE supports them in principle, and believes
that their long-term success will be their gradual increase (similar
to the impact of landfill tax).
21. Clearly, financial incentives matter
and a slow increase in taxes/penalties for high-carbon lifestyles
would prove effective, while allowing people time to adjust and
replace these high-emission choices.
How can Government and other agencies—at
national, regional and local levels—encourage the uptake
of domestic emission reduction measures? What is the role of community
projects in schools and other public institutions?
22. Schools and community groups are vital
to "getting the word out", but any such message must
be consistent and easily understood. At the school level, children
can have an influence on the behaviour of parents and other family
members, but it is essential that they understand the concept
being presented while in the classroom.
23. Earlier ICE has outlined steps that
can be undertaken for homes and businesses to reduce their carbon
emissions. ICE favour both a strong educational push in promoting
these options, and also strongly favour financial incentives such
as prize draws and tax credits for people who commit to using
them. Government at all levels should realise that this will be
a long-term shift in attitudes, and cannot be expected to happen
immediately.
24. It is necessary that for successful
implementation of any carbon-reducing policy, all levels of government,
including agencies, must have open and clear communication and
co-operation.
Are Domestic Tradable Quotas (also known as personal
carbon allowances) a viable option? What other economic and other
incentives for behavioural change might also be considered?
25. ICE has concerns regarding any move
towards individual carbon limits. Beyond the obvious logistical
barriers (cost, efficiency of the tracking card, pricing) individuals
may consider this intrusive, and also economically unfair.
26. Such a system could lead to so-called
"carbon poverty", where those with the resources to
buy extra credits simply will, and continue polluting at a high
rate.
27. However, the current level of worldwide
greenhouse gas emissions is the single most important issue facing
future generations. There needs to be a steep change in UK policy,
leading towards substantial reductions in emissions, and that
the current carbon limiting measures (the EU ETS and the recent
proposal for personal carbon allowances) are necessary first steps.
ICE implores the government, however, to ensure this system is
not only feasible, but fair.
28. ICE strongly supports the introduction
of various measures to incentivise the construction industry to
lessen its carbon emissions. Although progress has been made,
there is still much to do. Carbon trading certificates can be
used amongst businesses to encourage smarter carbon solutions.
The government can lead the way with environmentally aware contracts
which are committed to sustainable, low-emission standards. In
Hong Kong government contractors are legally obligated to provide
for emission standards and waste disposal in their bids.
29. It is crucial for Government to build
on its relationships with industry, and to continue to stress
both the environmental benefits, but also the economic opportunity
of resource efficiency and lowered carbon emissions.
30. Any attempt to address the issue of
individual and community action will require considerable government
leadership. For the government to effectively enact change, it
must commit itself to regulation, incentivisation, and education.
Submitted on behalf of the Institution of Civil Engineers
September 2006
<http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm060301/text/60301w05.htm>
<http://www.ice.org.uk/downloads//ICE_Resource%20Management%20Strategy.pdf>
<http://www.greenbiz.com/news/columns_third.cfm?NewsID=33821>
5 The figures are based on the Digest of UK Energy
Statistics energy consumption data and estimates of energy use
in building stock by the Building Research Establishment under
contract to Defra, Back
6
Institution of Civil Engineers and the Institution of Mechanical
Engineers, "The case for a resource management strategy",
January 2006, Back
7
David Suzuki, "Public Doesn't Understand Global Warming",
August 2006, Back
8
"What is Agenda 21?", <http://www.lbhf.gov.uk/external/la21/> Back
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