DRAFT Sustainability Appraisal Report for the Emerging Local Plan ...

Local
to reduce distance travelled by reducing the need to travel, increase the proportion of travel
by sustainable modes, maintain public transport patronage and increase vehicle occupancy,
switch to lower carbon vehicles, encourage efficient driving and manage traffic flows, reduce
energy use of transport infrastructure and services and manage the risks posed to transport,
by forecasted effects of climate change. The specific targets are to reduce emissions of
carbon dioxide from all road transport (except motorway traffic) by 10% by 2020 as
compared with 2007 baseline(to be composed of approximately 7% from national measures
and 3% from local measures), and increasing to 25% reduction by 2035 on 2007. Another
target is to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by 28% reduction from SCC business travel by
2013/14 as compared with 2008.
Runnymede Renewable Energy Interim Advice Note (2010)
11.26 The Renewable Energy’ Interim Advice Note (2010) includes the requirement for 10% of
energy for all new developments to come from renewable sources and provides advice to
developers on the range of renewable energy technologies, which may be incorporated into
developments to achieve this aim. The Note has not been the subject of public consultation.
Current Baseline Condition
11.27 The SEA Directive and UK SEA Regulations require that an account be given of the current and
likely future composition and condition of the environment in the area covered by the
proposed plan. The environmental baseline presented in this section has been compiled from
available sources of primary and secondary data that in the main relate to RSF Indicators that
have been monitored by the Council in one form or another since 2004.
Climate Change Impacts
11.28 Climate change occurs naturally over long periods of time; however since the industrialised
era a period from the 18 th to the 19 th century, emissions of large amounts of greenhouse
gases have caused an acceleration of global climate change. The effects tend to result in rapid
variation in temperatures leading to heat stress and cold stress, increased number of extreme
weather events that lead to increased instances of flooding and drought putting additional
pressure on water supply and quality.
11.29 The UK is located in the path of the warm, wet westerly winds associated with the Gulf
Stream and the climate reflects this maritime position. Runnymede lies in the county of
Surrey within the south east corner of the British Isles and therefore furthest away from the
influences of the North Atlantic’s weather systems.
11.30 Runnymede’s geographical location means it benefits from a mild climate that is normally
characterised by cool summers, with average temperatures of around 15 o C, mild winters,
with average temperatures in excess of 5 o C, and relatively low rainfall, of around 500
millimetres per year, and no marked dry season ( 61) .
11.31 It is likely that adverse effects identified in the Council’s Draft Local Climate Impacts Profile
(LCLIP) 2009 will continue with increased frequency and magnitude as the climate continues
to change. The borough will need to continue to adapt to climate change particularly to the
effects of increased temperatures overall and increased risk of flooding. It is also possible for
Runnymede to decrease its contribution the causes of future climate change (i.e. 30‐year plus
climate change time horizon), and thus in time contribute to an overall reduction in adverse
effects on the climate change receptor.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
11.32 Road transport is a major source of carbon emissions. In 2009 this sector contributed 49% to
total emissions of carbon dioxide in Runnymede. Domestic electricity and gas emissions were
the second largest source of carbon dioxide in 2009 contributing 24% to the total 62 . Within
61 Rising to the Challenge: The impacts of climate change in the South East (Technical Report), 1999. S Wade, J Hossell, M Hough
and C Fenn (ed.s).
62 NAEI maps: CO2 emissions by energy users/suppliers ‐ 2009
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