Council takes steps to reduce carbon footprint

9.51.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 25th Oct 2007

Photo of Trini Crake and Ming Campbell MP launching the Carbon Management programme

Ever wondered how big your carbon footprint is? Or how you can reduce your impact on the environment?

Liberal Democrat controlled Northampton Borough Council is one of the town's biggest employers with 1,600 staff, a fleet of vehicles, and buildings including three leisure centres, two museums, and three major office complexes. Not surprisingly, that all adds up to a big footprint. Working alongside the Carbon Trust the council has measured its energy use and it equates to 16,000 tonnes of CO2 (carbon dioxide) a year - or 10 tonnes per employee.

Liberal Democrat Cllr Trini Crake is the council's cabinet member for environment. She says: "Knowing what our carbon footprint is is the first step to being able to reduce it."

Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas, responsible for human-induced climate change.

Says Trini: "Now we're analysing where our CO2 output is greatest and coming up with a list of actions. It's not a big surprise that over two thirds of our output comes from our buildings, that includes heating social housing, and running our three leisure centres and our offices at Cliftonville, the Guildhall and Westbridge."

"Energy use also costs us money. In the year 2005 - 2006 our gas and electric bills came to a not so cool £1.3million. We also spent £850,000 on petrol and diesel. The Carbon Trust calculate that this total will rise to £3.3m by 2015. By taking action now we plan to save money and make our carbon footprint smaller."

To mark national Energy Saving Week (Monday 22 October - Sunday 28 October 2007) Northampton Borough Council is raising staff awareness of how to be carbon-friendly, including holding a lunchtime drop-in session.

Says Trini: "It's important that we get our own house in order. Our employees can take simple steps like switching off computers and printers rather than leaving them on standby, or car sharing when going to meetings. Every single action will make a difference.

"The council may be criticised for cutting back on Christmas lights but the fact is they cost us money to put up, money for the electricity all the time that they're on, and they add to our carbon footprint. We've got to start cutting back."

For tips and advice on saving energy visit the energy saving trust website at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk