David Wilde and Paul Maplethorpe
Minutes:
David Wilde, LA 21 Officer/Groundwork Dearne Valley, and Paul Mapplethorpe, Energy Saving Officer, RMBC spoke about how Forum Members could manage their businesses in a more environmentally friendly and sustainable way.
David explained how his role linked into the 1992 World Earth Summit and how local groups could get involved in sustainable development.
He gave a definition of Sustainable Tourism. He thought that the Local Authority and groups, such as this Forum, were ideal for taking forward a strategy and action programme. Indeed sustainability was inherent in the new Tourism Plan.
The agenda was now one of action. At the local level this could be through e.g. catering; through the promotion of local products in the Visitor Centre; through Magna, through Groundworks; promotion of Fair Trade; not using disposable items; minimising the environmental impact of transport; reduction of waste and greater recycling.
Forum Members were encouraged to look at where they got their food from as this was a measure of environmental impact, and to visualise the amount of productive land required – this was called a footprint. It was reported that for the UK the average would measure 6 hectares (in the US = 10h). Globally this was 2h, which meant that the UK needed 3 earths to support it.
He stressed there was a need to use local produce and to look at the way water and energy were used.
Paul, explained there were 52 Energy Advice Centres throughout the UK. The Centre in South Yorkshire was run by the four local authorities. Reference was made to natural factors and global warming and to the fact that energy consumption was raising the heat of the globe. There was a global need to cut carbon emissions; to save energy and to save money.
The Advice Centre could provide free advice, and information was also available from the Carbon Trust. Businesses could be provided with training in how to save energy and grants were available in some instances.
General energy saving tips included:-
- turning off computers when not needed
- keeping lights clean
- turning lights off, including fluorescent ones
- enlist all staff to save energy
- appoint an Energy Champion
- tell people that you are an energy saving business
Forum Members were informed that there was an EU Directive coming into effect on 1st January, 2007 which would apply to businesses and houses. Every building would need to be inspected and required to have a certificate detailing its energy performance. The certificate could not be over ten years old for a business and five for a house.
Members raised the following:-
- was this another stealth tax. How much would it cost? Businesses had not had any information.
- Would the system work like an MOT? And would businesses be given a chance to implement measures and then a certificate issued?
- Was it compulsory to have an energy audit or was it voluntary for businesses?
Holly Booker, RSPB Old Moor, highlighted the sustainable systems used at the centre and the use of renewable energy.
There was a need to look at savings, alternatives, reduce energy consumption and to consider a combination of ways of providing renewable energy.
David and Paul were thanked for their presentations.