In 2012 Manchester City Council aimed for a 10% reduction in its own emissions. In July 2013 it claimed a 7% reduction. It was able to do this because responsibility for traffic lights moved from its books. Looking at everything else (buildings, transport) emissions went … UP by 1.8%.
So, building on that extremely strong base, the Council’s bureaucrats have proposed a series of actions to help them hit a new “7%” target. You can see the complete list here. Manchester Climate Monthly is going to take a closer look at each and every one of these 44 “actions.”

Twice a week, on “Annual Plan Tuesdays” and “Annual Plan Thursdays” we will be asking a few straightforward questions about each item. And to illustrate each post, we (Marc Hudson and Marc Roberts) are devising “Top Trump” cards for all of these actions. At two a week it will take you until December or so to collect the whole set… So far can’t give you a percentage on the 2005 figure, since the Council has been going off its 2009/10 baseline, in direct contradiction of its own plan.

And throughout all of this, we are asking YOU, the reader, and council tax payer (probably), what YOU think the Council should REALLY be doing… Because next year the council moves to a “three year plan.” And given what we already know of the low quality of the carbon plans and their implementation so far, we, the citizens, will be complicit if we remain silent…

What it says

4.21 Markets (10% of building emissions) will focus on New Smithfield Market this year where, subject to funding approvals, a new energy efficient fish market will be built to replace the old block and condition surveys will be completed on two other market blocks.

What was said last year (direct quote from 2012/13 plan)
5.2.4.3 Markets (11% of building emissions)
 Low-carbon design principles will be embedded into the design of a new fish
market at New Smithfield Market (NSM), which will replace an older, inefficient,
market building.
 NSM will also reduce energy consumption through the replacement of 7 over-
sized chlorifiers with water heaters, plus rewiring and roof replacement works.
 NSM is also on the short-list, depending upon feasibility, to have a voltage
optimizer installed to further reduce energy use.

MCFly’s verdict
Besides the fact that THESE ARE RECYCLED PROMISES, you mean?

“subject to funding approvals”… “condition surveys”   Hallelujuah! We’re saved!!!  But seriously – is there any actual carbon saving here?  No, just more ‘surveys’ – 4 years into a plan, and we have, as the sixth item in the “plan” just more “scoping.”  Said it before, will say it again: What. Have. They. Been. Doing. These. Last. Three. Years??

What would a proper three year plan around this item look like? They would publish the energy and carbon information they have for ALL their markets.  They would ask users of the market for ideas about what can be done.  While doing

How can culture be shifted around this item? How about giving out executive summaries, in multiple languages, of the Climate Change Action Plan?  Or employing a local cartoonist to make a cartoon guide to Climate Change and what local people can do about it?.

What else should the Council be doing around this item? Not making the same promise in consecutive years?  Naughty bureaucrats!!

Other info n/a

Phone numbers and emails of the organisations