Liberal Democrats introduce Carbon Management Plan for Council (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

Liberal Democrats introduce Carbon Management Plan for Council

April 19, 2008 4:02 PM

Liberal Democrat Councillors are signing York Council up to a new Carbon Management Programme, which aims to reduce carbon emissions by 25%, and save Council Taxpayers money.

This builds on existing commitments to reduce the Council's eco-footprint, and follows York Council signing up to the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change, along with 200 other Councils, to declare its commitment to developing an action plan for tackling climate change, and reducing carbon emissions.

The Carbon Management Programme incorporates the Liberal Democrats plans for recycling, transport, street lighting, and buildings. It aims to improve the sustainability of council buildings - from the new Hungate building, to schools and old people's homes - and to cut energy usage of IT equipment by as much as 95%, by replacing older computers.

Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Cllr Jamieson-Ball, said: "This new programme is part of the Liberal Democrat drive to tackle climate change, which is one of our top priorities. We are spending £500, 000 on ambitious plans which go beyond the requirements of Government, and will allow York to take the lead on reducing carbon emissions."

Many schemes are already in place to use low carbon technology in new buildings and heating systems. Biomass boilers, which use wood chip pellets, have already been introduced at Danesgate Skills Centre and Acomb Library. In the longer term, there is the opportunity to link the management of woodland to reduce flooding with the provision of wood chips in the North Yorkshire area.

Major companies in the region are getting preparing for a carbon tax, and ultimately this will be applied to councils too. York Council is already preparing for this, and has been working with Yorkshire Forward to create a low carbon economy.

York Council is already committed to the following projects (tonnes of Carbon Dioxide saved):

Hungate New Council offices (800)

Integrated transport (70)

Eco Depot (25)

York High School & Oaklands sports centre (904)

Yearsley Pool improvements (230)

Joseph Rowntree new school (250)

Council office recycling (150)

Further schemes include recycling in schools, smart metering of energy, improved insulation, use of renewable energy in bollards.

Total 4,719 tonnes of CO2 saved

A further 3, 220 tonnes of CO2 will be saved by 2011 through the Housing Capital Programme, which will reduce carbon emissions through better insulation in council housing.

Cllr Andrew Waller, sponsor for the work with the Carbon Trust, which is behind this project, said:

"The Carbon Management programme is using best practice from around the country, and building on the work that we have already done in York. If we get this right, not only will we save money for York Council Taxpayers by saving more than £250, 000 per year by 2013, but we can also help to create the next generation of job opportunities here in the city, as part of our climate change strategy."