Climate Week
As part of climate week, the Merseyside Transport Partnership held an 'Dragon's Den' style event on 24th March 2011 to hear pitches on how certain projects could help reduce emissions.
The five Dragon's were;
- Professor John Whitelegg, Liverpool John Moores University
- Sarah Dewar, Liverpool Primary Care Trust
- Peter Griffiths, Arup
- Maresa Molloy, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce & Industry
- Michael King, Friends of the Earth
Click here for the attendance list
The 4 pitches were;
- Mark Osborne, Mott MacDonald
Mark discussed the opportunities presented by encouraging behaviour change. By cycling, walking and using public transport more often individuals could not only reduce their carbon emissions but also save money and become more healthy. The dragons were impressed with the potential to integrate exercise in to daily routines and felt this could save many trips to the gym. Mark conceded that getting people to change the way they travel can be difficult and some people may never change, but that there were groups who with some encouragement would be willing to travel more sustainably.
- Andrew Whittles, Low Emission Strategies Partnership
Andrew outlined the role which electric vehicles could play in a low emission transport system. Electric vehicles produce no emissions at point of use and when combined with renewable energy provide a low carbon alternative to traditional vehicles. While more expensive to purchase electric vehicles can save money over time as energy and ongoing costs are much lower. The dragons questioned whether the electricity grid could support high numbers of electric vehicles and given the high price of vehicles how widely they were likely to be used across Merseyside which has low car ownership levels. Peter saw potential for electric vehicles in the freight sector where goods could be delivered to a central location by traditional vehicles and then transferred to electric vans for local delivery.
- Christoper Maltin, Organic Power
Christopher made the case for use of biomethane vehicles. Biomethane can be produced from waste food and is actually carbon negative because, as well as being a low carbon fuel, it also prevents the release of methane produced by the decomposition of organic waste. The dragons were concerned about any potential smell from the process and whether the cheaper fuel would result in people using their vehicles more often. Maresa questioned how many jobs could be created from local biomethane production as similar operations had seen very little.
- Michelle Berry, Energy Saving Trust
Michelle argued for driving more fuel-efficiently. As so many people drive it makes sense to do it in the most efficient way possible, through braking and accelerating gently, changing gear early, driving more smoothly, and reducing drag by removing roof racks, keeping wheels inflated and reducing unnecessary weight. Lessons cost between £15 and £20 and can pay for themselves in a couple of months through reductions in fuel consumption. The dragons questioned how long changes in driving behaviour lasted after the initial lessons and if there were any ways it could be maintained. It was suggested that this should be taught as an integral part of gaining a driving license to have most impact.
Click here for the results of the questions asked to the audience after each pitch and who came out on top.
Afterwards Simon Mansfield, Energy & Environmental Manager, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, gave a presentation showing the best practice examples the Fire Service has undertaken to reduce the emissions their fleet/vehicles produce.
Click here for Simon's presentation.
"The Climate Change Dragon's Den event was a great success revealing the wide variety of approaches that can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and putting Liverpool in the forefront of smart technologies and smart measures to deal with climate change. The event showed beyond doubt that the Liverpool City Region is up to the task of generating ideas and pulling its weight in solving big problems but we are still looking for financial support to put the ideas into practice"
Professor John Whitelegg
If you would like more information on Climate Week visit www.climateweek.com