Status of Sustainability - A SWOT analysis for Brighton & Hove

Strengths  Expertise and specialism (e.g. low carbon design and buildings, energy, food)  High level of environmental literacy, interest  Strong community identities  Greener consumers (e.g. renewable energy, food)  High public transport use and compact city suiting walking, cycling  High profile initiatives, innovations and external reputation  Passionate groups, organisations & individuals  Progressive partnership working ethos  Pockets of good/best practice – e.g. Food Partnership, large number of Eco Schools, developer planning guidance  Positive city leadership e.g. on carbon management  Relatively low CO2 per head by fuel/energy use measure  Green spaces, sea, South Downs – good quality of life (Forum)

Weaknesses  high ecological footprint – resource consumption  high C02 use impact on the climate  old, leaky housing stock and fuel poverty  worklessness, deprivation and health inequalities  raw sewage pollution of the sea  areas of poor air quality & high levels of noise (and light) pollution  high water consumption as well as aquifer dependence  condition of key wildlife sites  Poor access to downland/countryside  shortage of affordable housing  degraded environments and pressures  lack of integrated, large scale solutions

Opportunities  Location suits a range of renewable energies – solar, wind, biomass especially  One Planet Living Plan for the city & Bioregional attention  Wastewater (sewage) treatment works planned  Climate Change Strategy in development; and short-term CO2 targets in place  Local Development Framework – new local plan  South Downs National Park designation; council-owned downland / farms  Education for Sustainable Development – regional centre of excellence bid (UoB)  Climate Connections, Urban Biosphere and Harvest Brighton bids  Energy Service Company development – rising energy/commodity prices  “Green collar” jobs (scrutiny panel) focus – new inward investment and economic strategies  Home renovations, Warm Homes grants, Energy Performance Certificates  Cycling Demonstration Town  Park and Ride; brownfield sites  Sustainable Community Strategy revision  New structures – this partnership, cabinet sustainability committee  New national indicators of local environmental sustainability

Threats  Rising CO2 emissions and consumerism  Local impacts of climate change – risks from drought, flooding, heatwave and storm surge  End of Environmentally Sensitive Areas scheme in downland – risk to water quality from nitrates etc.  Consensus breakdowns  Recession and macro forces  Rising energy and commodity prices  Conflicting priorities  Resources and focus  Awareness and understanding