The Local Government Association
Published a report Volatile times - transport, climate change and the price of oil in December 2008
Welsh National Assembly Government
Published a report on Peak Oil in July 2008.
UK Industry Taskforce on Peak Oil and Energy Security
Published a report The Oil Crunch: Securing the UK’s energy future in November 2008. The taskforce is a group of British companies including Arup, Virgin, First, Scottish and Southern Energy, Stagecoach Group, Yahoo!, Foster & Partners and Solarcentury.
Nottingham City Council
Passed a peak oil motion on 9 December 2008
Transition Towns Movement
A grass roots movement building community solutions to peak oil and climate change
Somerset County Council
Endorsed a motion in July 2008 supporting Transition Towns including a point which “agrees to undertake a review of its budgets and services to achieve a reduction in dependence on fuel oil and produce an energy descent action plan in line with the principles of the Transition Initiative.” Key members of the Council recently attended a training session.
Leicester County Council
Endorsed a similar motion to Somerset Council in December 2008 supporting the work of Transition Towns.
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Peak Oil and Gas (APPGOPO)
A group of MPs raising awareness of the issue at the parliamentary level. Released a report in August 2009 on Tradable Energy Quotas (TEQs).
The Oil Depletion Analysis Centre (ODAC)
Released a report for Local Authorities, Preparing for Peak Oil: Local Authorities and the Energy Crisis.
South West Draft Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West
The document contains an acknowledgement of peak oil – “Technological Development driven by scarcity of oil and other resources may provide solutions to carbon based resource use in production and transport.”(ref p17)
Swedish government
In 2005 Sweden announced that it would break its oil dependence by 2020. There is uncertainty around the policy since the election of a new government in 2006.
Irish Government
Conducted a baseline review in 2006 of the country’s vulnerability in the face of an oil peak production scenario and policies required to prepare for this.
Selected US and Canadian towns and cities responding to peak oil:
Portland, Oregon
In May 2007 the council adopted a resolution (Appendix 5) in response to a report from a peak oil task force commissioned by the city. It establishes the goal of reducing fossil fuel use by half, and directing city bureaus to incorporate the goal into both internal operations and programs and policies addressing planning guidelines, building energy use and transportation systems. Peak oil is one of the key challenges addressed in the cities draft Climate Change Action plan 2009 and is listed in the ongoing Portland Comprehensive Plan development which will inform future policy1.
Oakland, California
Passed a resolution in October 2006 creating a Task Force "to develop an action plan for Oakland to become oil independent by 2020." The Oil Independent Oakland Task Force completed its City Council mandate in December 2007. In 2008, the Action Plan was presented to the Oakland Planning Commission, and both the Public Works and the Community and Economic Development Committees of City Council. Although no action was taken regarding the Action Plan, its contents and recommendations will be considered during the current process to create a city Energy and Climate Action Plan by the end of 2009.
San Francisco, California
First major US city to pass a resolution recognising the issue of peak oil, April 2006. Established a Peak Oil Preparedness Task Force January 2008. Task force report released March 2009.
Spokane, Washington
The first US city to address climate change and energy uncertainty together, Spokane launched a sustainability strategic planning effort February 2008.
Hamilton, Ontario
Commissioned report to consider how future energy constraints might affect the city government’s long-range planning, energy use and provision of public services.
Bloomington, Indiana
Passed resolution July 2006 acknowledging the challenge of peak oil, supporting adoption of a global depletion protocol, and urging federal and state action on peak oil. City Council created a Peak Oil Task Force December 2007.
Westerly, Rhode Island
Passed resolution forming a peak oil task force March 2008.
Franklin Town, New York
Passed resolution December 2005 creating a Citizens’ Commission to examine the issues raised by declining energy supplies and rising energy costs. Possibly the first US jurisdiction to address peak oil.
Burnaby, British Columbia
After a screening of the film “The End of Suburbia”, the Mayor and the Chair of Burnaby’s Transportation Committee asked staff to produce a report on peak oil.
Queensland Government
The Environmental Protection Agency, Queensland Government released a report Towards Oil Resilience Community Information Paper in September 2008.
Parliament of South Australia
The Parliament of South Australia released a report, The Impact of Peak Oil on South Australia in November 2008.