research

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4M: Measurement, Modelling, Mapping and Management:
an evidence-based methodology for understanding and shrinking the urban carbon footprint

Prof Margaret Bell, Dr Anil Namdeo, Dr Abhishek Tiwary, Dr Fabio Galatioto, Dr Graeme Hill and Mr Justin Cairns
In collaboration with the Universities of De Montfort (lead partner), Loughborough, Leeds and Sheffield
EPSRC Sustainable Urban Environments SUE2 Programme
2008-2011, £2,500.000 (£500,000 Newcastle)

project website

In 2005 the Audit Commission stated that, regarding the Carbon Footprint (CF), there are “….concerns about its robustness and the transparency of the data”, and the method “…needs to be verified and supported by local data.”

At present it is impossible to look at all the components of the CF, therefore the 4M project focuses on emissions and sequestration relevant to urban areas that are manageable either by local authorities or by individual actions; where there is greatest uncertainty; and where scientific advance can be made.

The 4M project seeks to place calculations of the CF of cities on a secure platform and produce a carbon emissions inventory for the whole city of Leicester.

Four topic areas are being studied:

• Building energy: the carbon emissions from domestic and non-domestic buildings and their reduction through the use of micro- and meso-scale low and zero-carbon technologies.
  
• The reduction of emissions and pollution from transport, through the adoption of green travel schemes and clean air zones, shifts in fuel type and the adoption of hybrid or clean-fuel vehicles.
  
• The contribution of public and private green space management practices to carbon sequestration rates.
  
• The impact that carbon management practices, and in particular the implementation of personal carbon quotas, would have on the lifestyle and well-being of city dwellers.

Each topic area has four activity phases: measurement through a city wide household survey; modelling the results using at least model for each topic area, mapping these results, followed by the presentation of ‘what if’ management impacts.

The main outcomes of the project will be:

• Techniques for measuring, modelling, mapping and managing the carbon sources and sinks in UK cities.
  
• Methods of visualising the carbon sources and sinks that can be interpreted by policy makers and other stakeholders.
  
• Identification of the relative impact of managing emissions from buildings and transport and carbon sequestration by green spaces.
  
• Identification of the scale of action needed to substantially shrink UK’s urban CF.

An early task for Newcastle University is to develop the existing prototype of The Green Travelometer: This will be an on-line tool to be used initially in schools to find the distance and mode of regular, frequent trips – and to inform the user how much CO2, CO, NOx and particulates their journeys create.

A future initiative will be seeking to develop The Green Travelometer as a tool for changing travel behaviour, including modal shift, in co-operation with schools, higher education, workplaces and individuals.