Birmingham - Sustainable living

Question 1

Basic facts

Answer 1

ranking them across three areas: environmental performance; quality of life; and future-proofing .

Question 2

Green transport

Answer 2

Transport network important for economy and society in Birmingham. Building new tram infrastructure & extending tram network. Also have range of buses, (some gas powered) & network of bus lanes to reduce car transport Electric charging points throughout city. CABLED project promotes use of electric vehicles

Cycling: off road routes & round canal network & green spaces. Also on quite roads and main corridors. Health benefits for cyclists and others as reduces vehicle emissions Bike North Scheme: learn to ride scheme promotes community involvement

Question 3

Energy

Answer 3

Birmingham District Energy Scheme: Trigeneration of heat, electricity and chilled water to prestigious buildings in town centre including town hall, council house & new Library. Interconnected areas; benefit businesses as energy, carbon & space saving. Severn Trent Water: in addition to water & waste removal, generates renewable energy from sewage waste. Process of anaerobic digestion to produce energy. Based in Minworth, Sutton Coldfield. Contributes energy to National Grid Northfield Eco Centre: Energy, gardening and food growing. Energy assessment of public and private buildings. Funding for those in fuel poverty. Plant fruit and nut trees in publically accessible areas; community gardens to teach skills, support public to grow food in own gardens.

Question 4

Local Food Production

Answer 4

Northfield Eco Centre: Energy, gardening and food growing. Plant fruit and nut trees in publically accessible areas; community gardens to teach skills, support public to grow food in own gardens.

Question 5

Community

Answer 5

2012 community center opened in Sparkbrook ,in an eco-friendly building. It serves around 15 000 local people. It has 3 GP practices, offers local council services, a library, rooms for community sue ad offices for start up enterprises.

Question 6

Building Efficiency

Answer 6

Zero carbon house: no fossil fuels or new carbon for running house. Generates energy which makes an income as contributes to national grid. Very insulated to prevent heat loss Rainwater filtered and reclaimed Natural light from above; needs only 1/5 of heat for the house

Question 7

Recycling

Answer 7

Birmingham is still low on this. In 2013 recycling rate for England as 43.5%, but Birmingham was only at 30.1%