Our Carbon Management Programme (CMP) was launched in March 2009. The programme will assist the Council in mitigating its own environmental impacts by reducing the emission of carbon dioxide from its buildings and the delivery of its services, whilst protecting the environment.

Cllr John Cartwright, Council Leader, has stated;

 

“I am delighted to endorse this Carbon Management Plan. It represents unequivocal council acceptance for both responsibility and support for action to reduce carbon emissions from the council estate. Our district is facing an unprecedented period of housing growth which presents a number of challenges and opportunities for us all.

We need to make sure that the services we provide meet both the challenges of these developments and are sustainable; having the least possible impact on the environment of the district.”

Local government has had an historic role in providing local leadership – the Public Health Act, Clean Air Act, Environmental Protection Act and Housing Act are examples of legislation delivered through councils that have had a national impact on the quality of life. As a global challenge, climate change requires renewed local level leadership. If this is not addressed, it will challenge the sustainability and achievement of planned local growth and investment.

The UK Climate Change Bill – Commits the UK to an 80% reduction in carbon and Greenhouse gases in the UK economy by 2050. Local government has a crucial role to play, not only in leading by example and addressing its own emissions but also in promoting the benefits in terms of both carbon reductions and financial cost savings to our residents.

The CMP represents our commitment to put our own house in order, something we are already on route to achieve. Our new Community Theatre will be partially heated by the ground it sits on and therefore displacing the need for carbon intensive fossil fuels, will set the scene for the council’s ambitions.

We recognise the need for a more co-ordinated approach to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change. With carbon reduction already a target of our Local Area Agreement.

The Carbon Management Programme, can help the council mitigate its own impacts by reducing the emission of carbon dioxide from its buildings and the delivery of its services, ensuring value for money, whilst protecting the environment. Our Carbon Management Plan provides the context for this and sets out our commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 22% by 2013 from a 2008 baseline, in line with The UK Climate Change Bill.

In the southeast of England the breakdown of carbon emissions come from households 42% with transport at 25% and commercial and industrial 33%. Average household emissions for the UK are 1.54 tonnes of carbon per year.

This is made up of:

Space Heating	53%
Water Heating	20%
Appliances	16%
Lighting	6%
Cooking	5%

Source: Climate Change – The UK Programme 2006 (HM Government, March 2006)

A copy of Aylesbury Vale District Council Carbon Management Plan for 2007/8 to 2012/13 can be downloaded below.

Date Updated: 28/09/11