Strategic Fit

Low Carbon Transition Plan

In July 2009 the Government published its Low Carbon Transition Plan that plots how the UK will meet the 34 percent cut in emissions on 1990 levels by 2020. To hit this target the country needs by 2020 to have:

More than 1.2 million people in green jobs.
7 million homes to have benefited from whole house makeovers, and more than 1.5 million households to have been supported to produce their own clean energy.
Around 40 percent of electricity from low-carbon sources, from renewables, nuclear and clean coal.
Gas imports reduced by 50 percent.
The average new car emissions 40 percent less carbon than now.

The North East region, the only region in England which exports more goods than it imports, it is a very difficult position as it's relatively high levels of industry means it has a huge distance to travel to reduce overall, emissions. We believe that combined industrial, urban and rural solutions are required for the North East. That is, for the North East region to augment its low carbon industrial plans (e.g. Teesside) and urban (e.g. south east Northumberland low carbon zone) with a flagship rural low carbon achievement zone based initially on Northumberland National Park.

The UK Renewable Energy Strategy

Also in July 2009 the Government published its Renewable Energy Strategy. This strategy sets out how everyone has a role to play in promoting renewable energy, from individuals to communities to businesses alike. The UK needs to radically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as diversify its energy sources. As part of this move to a low-carbon economy, a dramatic change in renewable energy use in electricity, heat and transport is needed. The UK has signed up to the European Union Renewable Energy Directive, which includes a UK target of 15 percent of energy from renewables by 2020. This target is equivalent to a seven-fold increase in UK renewable energy consumption from 2008 levels: the most challenging of any EU Member State. Meeting renewable energy targets is not just about preventing climate change and securing the UK’s future energy supplies. Achieving these targets could provide £100 billion worth of investment opportunities and many jobs in the renewable energy sector by 2020.

The aspiration of regional partners and the public for Northumberland National Park to become a regional exemplar in renewable energy and related skills and employment / business opportunities is a challenge for all partners to delivery and not just the National Park Authority. Faced with challenging environmental and financial times, the work outlined in these projects will significantly reduce green house gas emissions within the Park, help underpin the sustainability of the Park’s businesses and communities, address issues of fuel poverty and help create new ‘green jobs' and retain jobs in the North East region, thus making a contribution to the vision for a low carbon enabled region.

Climate Change Action Plan for North East England

Strategic Fit to Sub-Regional Policy

Northumberland National Park Authority fully endorses the Climate Change Action Plan for North East England and accepts that through its own activities and by working with partners and the communities of the National Park it will proactively seek to find solutions and take action, to adapt to and mitigate against climate change. In delivering on this area of work the key messages of the north east partnership will be adopted when communicating with key audiences.

Change: Business as usual is no longer an option.

Challenge: There are significant challenges ahead but we have the means to meet them.

Opportunity: Climate change presents significant opportunities.

Leadership: North East England leading the way.

Action: Policy needs to drive action.

Responsibility: We must all take responsibility and work together.

Inspiration: Behaviour and attitudes need to change.

Heat is On

Many of the key activities are aligned with the key issues within Northumberland Strategic Partnership's Strategic Framework for Climate Change Planning, The Heat is On. This strategy aims to 'encourage partners to put in place effective and timely measures at both corporate and community levels to address the causes and implications of climate change in Northumberland by mainstreaming climate change planning with their own core business'.

Synergy exists with the ten priority areas for action and through partnership working, both organisations are able to co-ordinate delivery and add value to their work. This has been demonstrated in recent years through the setting up of the Northumberland Fire Group and the Northumberland Community Flooding Partnership.

The vision for Northumberland Strategic Partnership is based on the premise that they essentially want all of Northumberland's residents to be happier, feel more in control and be getting more out of their lives. This has to be achieved in a way that "narrows the gap" between our different communities. The aspirational scenario of life in Northumberland in 2025 assumes that this vision has been successfully delivered. Northumberland Strategic Partnership has outlined ten big things derived from the work done on the current Sustainable Community Strategy that could be central to making Northumberland an even better place to live. ‘The Perfect 10 for Northumberland’, include:

Jobs rich

With the county now recognised as the cutting edge location for low carbon industry, there are more quality jobs available offering a greater diversity of career paths for the workforce.

Disadvantage free

The county is now experiencing its fullest employment since the heyday of the coal industry, with an extensive programme of vocational training the key to breaking the cycle of generational worklessness.

Climate-proofed

The spectre of extreme weather events remains very real but the county has "adapted" to minimise their impact and to reduce our collective carbon footprint.

Rural no barrier

Northumberland remains quintessentially rural and characterised by quality built and natural environments but accessibility to all our needs is now easy through innovative networking of services and communities.

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