Sustainability in Austerity

Philip Monaghan

SUSTAINABILITY IN AUSTERITY:

Enhancing city resilience by making the cuts that really matter

Philip MonaghanAuthorGreen World Book Night, Brighton, 05th March 2011

Pop quiz - who said this?

Which world figure was quoted in the press in Spring 2010 saying:

“By 2015 we expect to reach ‘Peak Oil’ - the point at which global oil demand exceeds its supply – this will reduce the prospect for growth in the

developing and developed world”

Was it:

(a) Michael O’Leary (CEO of Ryanair)(b) General James Mattis (Head of US Army)

(c) Caroline Lucas (local MP, Green Party)(d) Vladimir Putin (Prime Minister of Russia)

The challenge: doing more with less... plus a sceptical public?

RISING OBLIGATIONS

(service requests,

new issue demands)

SPENDING REDUCTION

(efficiency savings,

repaying bailout debt)

Waste recycling

Climate adaptation

Obesity?

Annual efficiencies

Recession-induced cuts

Slow recovery?

Mind the gap?

(new innovation,

alternative income,

reject the vulnerable)TIME

Recovery stimulus

(short-term fix only)

(Source: Sustainability in austerity, 2010)

“National governments have their national [sustainability] policies, but after all it is

local governments who have to implement these policies.”

(UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon,

2009)

Science versus human aspiration: USA, China and world carbon emissions

(Source: Sustainability in austerity, 2010)

“A critical mass of citizens and businesses is ready and waiting to act on the challenge of

sustainable consumption. But to act, they need the confidence that they will not be acting alone

and against the grain and to no purpose”

(UK Sustainable Development Commission, 2009)

Rebuilding the business case for sustainability

High Impact Low cost Fair Possible Desirable Habit-forming

Strategy-aligned business case

Corp

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assets

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Democracy & decision-making

Econ

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develo

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Waste

&

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vir

on

men

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serv

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Fle

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Persuasive evidence of need Credible peer commentators Quality data

(Source: Sustainability in austerity, 2010)

Insights from peers around the world• 102 cost-neutral interventions

(energy efficiency to urban development)

• Case interviews (Caracas to Krakow)

• Praised by UN, Harvard and WWF

• “A beautifully useful book” – Prof James, UN Cities Programme

• Learning from this framework used from Brussels to Nairobi (UN ‘Green Economy Initiative’, EU Covenant of Mayors, Climate Change Committee for Wales)

Making the cuts that really matter:intervention matrix

DESIRABLE

CHANGE

Thermostat control – reducing council office heat by 1oC can save up to 10% from energy bills

UNPALATA

BLE

CHANGE

HIGH COST

Smart driving – impactful but may need to persuade sceptics, so pilot with fleet drivers in environmental services first

LOW COST(Source: Sustainability in austerity, 2010)

Ideas for local government• Corporate assets – revolving fund for water

conservation to counter droughts in the Shire of Nillumbik in Melbourne, Australia, has resulted in a 35% cost saving

• Economic development – low carbon trade zoning by land use planners in Baoding, China, has assisted 20,000 local people being employed in solar panel and wind turbine production

• Community management – a stormwater incentive scheme in Maryland, USA, involving a rebate for household, community group or business purchase of rain barrels and green roofs is proving one half cheaper than traditional centralised methods

(Source: Sustainability in austerity, 2010)

Each citizen needs to do their bit too

(Source: Vaze, 2009)

Taking a few ‘low tech’ baby steps... Energy – avoid using the dishwasher and wash all

clothes at 30oC Water – shorten showers by a minute or two Food – if you don’t have a garden or an allotment,

look at a local school or disused brownfield site for a community growing space

Waste – when buying gifts for loved ones, choose the option with the least packaging (e.g. The chocolate bunny vs the egg Easter)

Politics – write to your local councillor or MP thanking them if they take positive action on green issues. This empowers them to do more. They usually only get and respond to complaints!

(Source: Sustainability in austerity, 2010)

... So, is it time to choose: two kids, or a dog and a car?

• Up to 5% landfill is pet waste in San Francisco

• Energy required to feed a cat is a much as it takes to drive a VW Golf 6,000 miles per year

• Can you be a responsible citizen and have a pet if you already have children and own a car?

• Maybe it’s the moment for hard choices like these?

We all need to try a little harder

(European Conference of Ministers of Transport, 2004)

“While billions are being spent on having engineers make the car less environmentally harmful, let’s be aware: The ‘zero carbon vehicle’ was invented more

than 200 years ago and is called ‘bicycle’.”

(Konrad Otto-Zimmermann, Secretary General, ICLEI–Local Governments for Sustainability, 2010)

To conclude:transition from greening to resilience

Lowers costs to maintain frontline services, generates savings war chest to invest in new areas like cleantech

Alleviates dependency culture in longer-term, with a select range of nudge and enforcement mechanisms

Enhances ability to resist or recover from future surprises or shocks such as severe weather

A framework for excellence by local government in austerity

(Source: Sustainability in austerity, 2010)

Green Concentrate

Over to you“All through the ages the African people have made efforts to deliver themselves from oppressive forces. It is important that a critical mass of Africans do not accept the verdict that the world tries to push down

their throat so as to give up and succumb. The struggle must continue. It is important to nurture any

new ideas and initiatives which can make a difference for Africa.”

(Wangari Maathai, Nobel Prize Winner, Kenya, 1995)

SUSTAINABILITY IN AUSTERITY:

Enhancing city resilience by making the cuts that really matter

Website: http://sustainabilityinausterity.wordpress.comEmail: sustainabilityinausterity@gmail.com

Thanks Philip!