It revealed 155,059 tonnes of CO2 had been cut – exceeding the target of 130,000 tonnes with data coming from Birmingham’s Environmental Partnership of 33 organisations across all sectors.

The figures, independently verified by the Energy Savings Trust represent a cut of almost 400,000 tonnes of carbon since 2008.

Cllr Paul Tilsley, Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council, said:

“To meet our ambitious targets for the third successive year is a tribute in itself to the efforts of everyone across the city who has made a contribution to cut carbon emissions.

“Our focus on improving sustainability will continue as the benefits are huge – a cleaner and greener environment along with increased opportunities for business in emerging technologies to develop here in Birmingham.”

Many businesses and public organisations have been involved in the task of reducing Birmingham’s carbon footprint, the NEC, Cadbury’s and Birmingham Children’s Hospital have all implemented energy saving lighting which have reduced both their costs and their carbon.

Image (C) Birmingham City Council News Room

The experts at Envirowise realised that the best way to reach businesses was throught the Internet. They decided to create a Virtual Tour, which they named as ‘Green-street’. State-of-the art technology was used to build the website. The technology allows individuals to experience the virtual exteriors of some organisations who have used environmental methods to cut-down on their carbon foot-print and energy consumption rates. . The initiative is aimed at educating other businesses about what they can do to cut down on resources.

The state of art 3 dimensional animations will show the exterior of five buildings, these include: Cost Cutters Arms, the Verte Restaurant, the Green Leaves Hotel, the Water Tower office block and the Efficient Engineering Company People will be able to access publications and reports detailing the different ways that they can reduce water consumption and energy.

Tim Robins, Envirowise Regional Manager for the West Midlands, said:

‘Research by Envirowise1 has shown that businesses in our area believe that using fewer raw materials, generating less waste and placing a greater emphasis on energy efficiency are all likely legacies of the recent recession. By exploring Green Street firms can easily find out how to make positive changes and save money, with help on everything from minimising lighting and heating, to more detailed advice on developing a formal environmental management system.’

He added:

‘We know the internet is an integral part of the business working day so we have created this new animated tool in order to make this free advice as accessible to local firms as possible.’

Businesses can visit the ‘Green Street’ at: www.envirowise.gov.uk/greenstreet

Annual statistics published by the British Beekeeping Association (BBKA) show an increase in the number of current members this year – 17,500 compared to the 2008-09 period of 14,000. The average number of hives per beekeeper has also increased from 3.9 to 4.7.

It was reported last month that the UK’s honey bee population suffered further decline this winter due to the severe weather conditions across the country.

Results of the  BBKA survey - asking members how many of their colonies of honey bees survived over the period November 09 - March 2010 -  also estimates the national loss at 17.3 per cent. Northern England faired worst with highest losses of 26 per cent whilst the lowest losses were recorded in the south-west at 12.8 per cent.

Commenting on the survey, Martin Smith, BBKA President, said:

‘This year’s losses show a small and encouraging improvement on the 19.2 per cent losses of 2008-09 and are much better than the disastrous 30.1 per cent revealed by the 2007-08 survey.’

With the picture in the Midlands region unclear; Birmingham Recycled visited South Staffordshire Beekeepers Association to talk to apiary manager Neil Leadbetter and membership secretary Phil Healy about how members’ colonies had faired over the winter and find out what could be causing the decline in honey bee numbers.

Here’s our interview with Neil Leadbetter and Phil Healy

The ‘Our Perry Barr’ campaign will be focused around the opinions and requests of those dwelling in the constituency, with the aim of making the area a better place to live.

Environmental concerns

The MP’s relationship with environmental issues is a difficult one to call. Various online voting records give evidence that the MP voted against laws to stop climate change in particular.

Mr Mahmood dispelled these claims however, insisting that he has backed the laws in the past. He also gave insight into his stance on other environmental matters. He said,

‘I supported the Climate Change Bill and I was delighted that we were able to pass such a groundbreaking law, I am also a strong supporter of the hunting ban and will fight against any moves to repeal the act. I am, however, a supporter of nuclear power and I make no apology for this. It is the only realistic way of delivering clean fuel.’

Local work

The MP maintained that he has already done much to improve the environment in his constituency and wants to continue his work for the community. He stated,

‘In terms of local campaigning I have fought on environmental issues, often these are based on getting local problems resolved rather than on national topics.I have been greatly heartened by some of the progress over the last decade.’

‘Regeneration, especially in Lozells/Handsworth, has enhanced the environment of the area, in particular Handsworth Park has been transformed, Sandwell Valley has been opened up to greater access for local people and allotments in the area have gone from strength to strength. There is noticeably less graffiti and littering in the area and this has been partly as a result of the priorities set by local people for the police and council.

‘Our Perry Barr’

The ‘Our Perry Barr’ campaign revealed by the MP looks set to build on the work already started with the help of the local communities.

Mr Mahmood divulged that the campaign will be ‘officially launched’ in a few weeks’ time. He said,

‘the project is based on public input so it will be interesting to see what environmental concerns are raised by local people.’

He also urged residents of the Perry Barr constituency to put forward their views,

‘I am always keen to hear what ideas local residents have so just let me know and I will see what can be done to support them.’

Until recently there seemed to be no hope for several British species. A saving grace for our native butterflies has come in the form of a brand new butterfly garden, specially designed to house the beautiful insects.

The new garden will reside in the United Kingdom’s largest tropical butterfly paradise, the Stratford-Upon-Avon butterfly farm.

The garden itself has been placed in a location which will optimize the rays given off from the sun, rays which are vital to the survival of the butterflies and the environment they thrive on.

Later this year the Stratford-Upon-Avon butterfly farm will celebrate it’s 25th Birthday, having opened in July 1985.

Birmingham based lepidopternas enthusiast, Robert Kennedy commented on new garden plans:

I’m absolutely delighted, England and Scotland are home to some of the worlds most fascinating papilionoidea. It would be a tragedy if we stood by and watched them go extinct.

I for one think it’s an excellent idea, I’m truly looking forward to seeing them, comfortable in a natural environment.

They recently received an ISO award for their attempt to lower their carbon footprint throughout the building, and is the first theatre in the UK to have been registered .

The theatre has implemented several schemes to help protect the environment, including compacting general waste, so it can be recycled every two weeks. Originally it was two skips every week, to a landfill site.

Waste which cannot be recycled is now sent to Tyseley Incinerator in Birmingham, which produces enough energy to power 40,000 local homes.

The Hippodrome have also been involved with the Cool Earth charity to help save the endangered Amazonian rainforest, through selling coffee. So far, the theatre has rescued seven acres of forestry, which will help contain 1, 800 tones of C02.

Brian Smith, of the Facilities Department at the Hippodrome has stated:

‘Birmingham Hippodrome is the UK’s most visited theatre, with around  500,000 visitors annually.   We wanted to be able to respond to their needs, by helping to save the environment.’

Further plans to reduce carbon emmisions are being looked into, and are hoping to be implemented by 2011.
Mr. Smith further stated:

‘Our commitment is ongoing and at the moment we are looking at how we can improve our water usage.’

The Hippodrome sees food recycling as another priority which needs to be addressed, but have stated that they are not upto scratch as of yet.

View Environmentally Friendly Theatres in Bimingham in a larger map

The RSPB have launched their new youth fundraising campaign ‘I’m on the sea’s side’ to raise awareness of how sea creatures desperately need our protection to survive.

There are currently very few nature reserves at sea even though there are hundreds on dry land. This means that many marine creatures aren’t getting the level of protection they need. The main threat to their survival is from human activity.

Children of all ages are being asked to take part in fundraising activities to raise money for the campaign. Ideas include sponsored walks and runs, cake sales and sponsored silences.

The money will be going to help creatures such as pelicans, seahorses, dolphins, crabs, starfish and seabirds amongst many others.

Why the campaign was launched

New laws have come into practice which states the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments need to create more marine reserves.

The main aim of the campaign is to push for the governments to actually create these nature reserves in order to give the wildlife the best chance of recovery and survival possible.

Half of the UKs wildlife is situated in the sea but only 0.0008% of it is protected. There are sections of the sea which have been dedicated ‘No Take Zones’ which means that any commercial activity that may damage the animals and environment is completely banned.

The RSPB will be working alongside experts to identify the most endangered areas of the ocean that need to be protected. These areas will hopefully then get the protection needed to let the sea creatures live and breed in a safe environment, much like nature reserves on land currently do.

What’s happening in the Midlands

A selection of the Midlands based RSPB branches are working with local schools and groups to connect them to the campaign.

Leslie Nundy from the Youth & Education department of the RSPB said the main aim of working with schools was about ‘raising awareness of the issues facing sea creatures through a network of Wildlife Explorer School Clubs, Community Groups and RSPB Bird Friendly schools.’

Although there isn’t an age limit on who can take part in the campaign, the emphasis is predominantly on getting children involved.

Leslie said:

‘It can be hard to connect children directly to major conservation concerns.

Raising money is one way of doing that and helps reinforce to children that nature conservation is a costly business as well as engaging and educating them through information and activities.’

The money raised will go towards the research and the cost of setting up the protected areas. ‘Every participant receives a thank you letter; certificate and exclusive stickers’ in return for their hard work on the ‘I’m on the sea’s side’ project.

For more information and downloadable fundraising packs visit  RSPB.

Haagen-Dazs has dedicated a special ice-cream flavour to honey bees called ‘Vanilla Honey Bee’ combining honey with their widely enjoyed vanilla ice cream.

From every tub of ‘Vanilla Honey Bee’ they sell, and other ‘Bee-Built Flavours’, they’re donating money to help fund research into honey bees and how they can be saved.

Why honey bees are so important

We rely on honey bees for around one third of our food supplies, not just in the obvious case where honey is concerned, particularly fruit because they’re the essential critters that are responsible for pollinating these foods.

Many honey bee colonies are declining because of something called CCD, Colony Collapse Disorder, where bees abandon hives for no reason and eventually die.

No one really knows what causes CDD, but researchers have linked contributing factors to viruses, mites, chemical exposure and poor nutrition.

Haagen-Dazs’ main aim is to work together with bee specialists and researchers to help raise awareness of the declining bee population and hopefully bring depleting numbers back up.

How to help and get involved

By buying either ‘Vanilla Honey Bee’ ice cream of any of their ‘Bee-Built Flavours’ your money will go to funding bee research and help Haagen-Dazs reach their donation goal.

A set amount of your money will also be donated to funds from any profit they make when you buy any of their bee merchandise.

You can help in other ways too, like planting a ‘Bee-Friendly Garden’:

‘By planting your very own bee-friendly garden you can keep our little friends buzzing and pollinating’.

Their website even has easy to follow steps you can download on how to make your garden a little more bee-friendly.

Other ways to help include spreading the word about how important bees are by telling your friends and holding fundraisers where Haagen-Dazs will even provide free ice cream to organizations that hold events in aid of saving bees.

Find out more information about Haagen-Dazs’ campaign and how you can help by visiting their website.

The aim of the plan is to create 30,000 jobs through increased investment in wind energy, energy efficiency and green housing. The Lib Dems have vowed to invest in low-carbon projects and infrastructure over the next year.

The environmental issues that are featured in the Lib Dems’ manifesto are similar to the issues that are mentioned in the manifestos of the Labour and Conservatives parties.

These include increasing investment in UK ports by supporting the offshore wind industry, a green home loan scheme for every household as well as creating a low-carbon infrastructure bank and green savings scheme.

General election

Nick Clegg’s admirable performances in the General Election debates have led to the Lib Dems gaining popularity. Jon Hunt who is a Liberal Democrat Councillor for the Perry Barr Ward has been pleased with how Clegg has performed in the live debates.

‘He has been terrific and has surpassed everybody’s expectations. When it came to the climate change topic in the second debate, he did not come across well on that issue.

However this particular subject did not really encourage politicians to go far enough.’

Hunt added that it is pivotal that the plan addresses a number of issues.

‘We are seeing petrol and oil prices rising and this will continue to happen once we have come out of recession. We need to switch to renewable sources.

Investing in the economy to create jobs is vital.’

The environmental issues that are highlighted on the Lib Dems’ manifesto also include plans for a key energy efficiency programme that would lead to 250,000 homes being refurbished and brought back into use.

£400m in interest free loans will also be put forward to help schools improve their energy efficiency.

The possible closure of the department and the definite closure of the department’s Conservation Group was prompted by its chairman, Chris Hargreaves, retirement and the need to cut £1.2 million from the Council’s planning department budget.

The fate of the department and its threat of disbandment were factored in during the Council’s annual budget reviews during February this year and isn’t the only department to under-go weighty cutbacks during these recession fueled times.

If the department were disbanded then the Council would be saving £350, 000, helping to contribute heavily towards the money needed to be saved to make a saving of £1.2 million.

The result would see the Conservation Department’s conservation officers put to work in the planning department meaning a major re-shuffle of staff and a loss of time for the highly trained people who would no longer be dealing with conservation issues.

The Council’s 1999 ‘Regeneration Through Conservation’ strategy is a document they still work from and use to outline their conservation work on their website.

The strategy’s main outline is:

‘To enrich the environment, define our local history and add uniqueness and interest in the face of homogenising impact of so much modern development.’

Then according to a ‘Conservation Strategy Review’ in 2004 the initial strategy was going well and significant changes in the city’s conservation and prioritization of specific conservation projects were going well.

The review even outlined the Birmingham Conservation Trust to have received £600, 000 in funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund in order to restore the ‘back to back’ houses found in Hurst Street.

Now cutbacks are being made and many conservation projects face never getting underway, with some current and ongoing projects like the regeneration happening in The Jewellery Quarter, not looking to be completed anytime soon.

Why the changes are being made

When contacted about why the decisions in cutbacks and possible closure were being made, Birmingham City Council’s Corporate Information Governance Team said:

‘Because of the economic recession there has been a fall in out planning application fee income which has, in turn, resulted in a reduction in the budget of the Planning Management Division.

As a consequence, a restructuring of the division is being undertaken, to reflect our reduced budget’.

The Governance Team confirmed that cost savings and the possible disbanding of the Conservation Department had indeed been discussed in February’s budget report but no decisions had been made on the outlined cutbacks or possible restructuring as of yet.

They added:

‘Restructuring relies on full consultation with staff and unions however we would intend to retain the necessary expertise to carry out the department’s statutory duties dealing with listed buildings, conservation area developments and protected trees.’

As to whether conservation officer’s expertises will be wasted if a restructure occurs is yet to be seen however the Council seem confident that they won’t.

To sign the online petition to save the Conservation Department click here

For a look at the department’s estimated yearly budget see the infographic below.