Council meets its carbon reduction target

Archived press release

Date Published: 24/09/12

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Aylesbury Vale District Council has met a carbon emissions reduction goal a year earlier than forecast.

Thanks to an innovative programme of carbon reduction projects implemented across the council’s use of offices, public buildings and vehicle fleet, and encouraging behavioural change among staff, carbon emissions have been reduced from 7,753 tonnes in 2007/8 to 6,046 tonnes in 2011/12.

It means that the council has met the target it had set for itself of reducing emissions by 22 per cent by March 2013, resulting in a saving in energy costs of £170,000 year-on-year.

In 2008 the council was chosen to participate in the Carbon Trust’s ambitious Local Authority Carbon Management (LACM) programme, which aims to cut carbon dioxide emissions and reduce energy bills.

Working in partnership with the Carbon Trust, the council produced an energy strategy setting out the actions and projects it would carry out to achieve significant carbon savings.

Since then the council has continued to make strides to reduce its carbon emissions. Energy saving measures have included:
• Running staff awareness energy campaigns, including waste and water saving measures
• Installing equipment to reduce the amount of electricity required to light public car parks
• Using fuel additives, biodiesel and better driver training to reduce emissions from its vehicle fleet
• Installing new energy saving technology in the council’s leisure centres
• Replacing old, inefficient boilers at council office buildings

Councillor Sir Beville Stanier, Cabinet Member for Environment and Health, said: “Achieving our 22 per cent carbon reduction target a year earlier than expected is a great result, which shows that the changes we have made to reduce our carbon footprint are really working. Not only do the changes benefit the environment, but they also bring about real cost savings too. The council will continue to look at ways to reduce the energy we use and we are committed to helping others do the same.”

Any business wanting help and advice on saving energy and money can visit the Energy Saving Trust at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk where they will find lots of free useful tips, or contact Alan Asbury at aasbury@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk