Local Councils join forces to cut carbon and slash energy bills
The Carbon Trust launches the East Midlands Carbon Management Programme supported by the East Midlands Improvement and Efficiency Partnership.
South Kesteven District Council is one of ten East Midlands local authorities to join a new programme which could help them reduce their carbon emissions by 13,000 tonnes a year and cut their annual energy bills by £2million or more.
The East Midlands Carbon Management Programme has been launched by the Carbon Trust and the East Midlands Improvement and Efficiency Partnership (EMIEP) to help the ten authorities work together over the next three months and develop action plans to reduce their carbon footprints.
Representatives from each council are attending a series of workshops where they will share best practice and ideas for improving energy efficiency with other neighbouring councils. Each council will also receive free specialist support from a dedicated Carbon Trust consultant to help them set their carbon reduction targets and design an action plan to meet them.
John Smith, Healthy Environment Portfolio Holder, South Kesteven District Council, said:
"We are committed to taking action on carbon emissions and as a result make savings on our energy costs. It will also help to reduce our impact on climate change".
"We are already leading the way within Lincolnshire, as we have recently adopted a Carbon Management Plan". "The plan details our CO2 footprint and the actions that we need to take to reduce it. We hope that by working in close partnership with the Carbon Trust, utilising their skills and experience, we will be able to further develop our action plans and deliver substantial Carbon and Financial savings for South Kesteven".
Tom Cumberlege, Public Sector Manager at the Carbon Trust, said,
"We see the best results when organisations work together, so the Carbon Trust is delighted to be involved in the East Midlands Carbon Management Programme. Reducing carbon emissions will release funds that could be spent on resources and services for local residents, and will also enable the councils to improve their green credentials and reputation in the community."
The participants in the East Midlands Carbon Management Programme can expect to reduce their energy bills by up to 25 per cent as a result of implementing energy efficiency projects.
Local authorities that successfully complete the East Midlands Carbon Management Programme will continue to share knowledge and best practice through the network and support other councils within the region.
