Clackmannanshire Council Online

Council aims to reduce carbon emissions

Clackmannanshire Council is currently working towards a target of reducing its carbon dioxide emission by 15% or 6,987 tonnes of CO2 by 2013, following the successful completion of the Carbon Trust's Carbon Management Programme.

Carbon Management Programme

Clackmannanshire Council is one of 14 public sector organisations in Scotland graduating from the fifth phase of the Carbon Management Programme in Edinburgh, on 14 May. Including the 12 organisations from previous years, this brings the total number of organisations, including local authorities, universities and NHS boards, which have already completed the programme to 26. Collectively they have identified a total opportunity to reduce emissions by over a quarter of a million tonnes of CO2, reducing their energy bills by £20 million.

The 12 earlier participants are experiencing success in implementing their plans and have so far collectively reduced their emissions by 65,000 tonnes of CO2, with an associated energy bill reduction of £5m.

For a further 23 organisations the event will mark the commencement of their participation in the sixth phase of the programme. The programme is designed to help organisations develop a targeted framework to deliver carbon reduction practices by establishing their current baseline emissions, assessing the risks and opportunities posed by climate change, and developing a robust strategy to reduce carbon footprints over a five to ten year period.

Reducing the Council's carbon footprint

Peter Morrison of Clackmannanshire Council commented: "Over the last few years Clackmannanshire Council has committed to lowering energy use in many of its public buildings and housing stock. Although great progress has been made, there is a long way to go and a corporate approach is now required to take forward the more complex issues of travel plans, sustainability issues, micro generation and renewable energy solutions."

John Stocks, Manager, Carbon Trust Scotland, commented: "The financial and environmental incentives to cut carbon are clear. The good news is that through the Carbon Management Programme, energy can become a controllable overhead for organisations. Implementing good carbon management can lead to significant cash savings. As well as releasing funds which can be better spent on resources and services for local residents, this will enable organisations to cut carbon emissions and improve their reputation within the community."

Launched in 2003, the Carbon Management Programme is designed to deliver improved energy management of buildings, vehicle fleets, street lighting and landfill sites. The programme is supported by a bespoke toolkit - a web based manual that gives detailed guidance on the programme's process and technical advice. It also facilitates the sharing of best practice between participants, enabling them to learn from each other's experience, thereby optimising results.

ENDS

For further information, please contact Emma Davies or Fergus Reid at Smarts on 0141 222 2040 or emma.davies@smarts.co.uk

NOTES

• The Carbon Trust is an independent company set up by government in response to the threat of climate change, to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy by working with organisations to reduce carbon emissions and develop commercial low carbon technologies. The Carbon Trust works with UK business and the public sector through its work in five complementary areas: insights, solutions, innovations, enterprises and investments. Together these help to explain, deliver, develop, create and finance low carbon enterprise.
• The Carbon Trust is funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), the Scottish Government, the Welsh Assembly Government and Invest Northern Ireland.
• For more information on the Carbon Trust visit www.carbontrust.co.uk or call the Carbon Trust Advice Line on 0800 085 2005.