Eden District Council’s first ever Green Week (19-23 April) has seen the launch of a new and ambitious carbon reduction strategy. The Council’s five year ‘Carbon Management Plan’, produced under the Carbon Trust’s Local Authorities Carbon Management Programme was introduced to staff on the first day of a week of green events and activities.
The Carbon Management Plan seeks to cut Eden Council’s carbon emissions by 25% over the next five years from a baseline figure of 3003 tonnes CO2 per year. The reduction target is in-keeping with that set out in the Cumbria Climate Change Action Plan and Commitment (to which Eden District Council is a signatory).
Eden District Council’s Chief Executive Kevin Douglas, said: “We have worked closely with the Carbon Trust over the last year, we have now established a Carbon Management Plan and have identified a practical set of actions that will help us to save cash and carbon. Significant improvements in vehicle emissions when our blue collar contracts, such as refuse collection and recycling are re-tendered will have the largest impact on this.”
In addition to a large number of practical measures to improve energy efficiency, the Carbon Management Plan also includes an Environmental Awareness Campaign for staff and Elected Members. One of the actions in the Campaign is to hold an annual Green Week to promote energy saving. Each day of Green Week concentrates on a different theme, including a ‘Don’t Waste it Day’ and a ‘Smarter Driving Day.’
On Smarter Driving Day, staff and Councillors were encouraged to adopt more eco-friendly driving techniques with the use of a driving simulator and presentation. These were provided by the Energy Saving Trust, which gives free and impartial advice on energy efficiency.
In addition, the Council’s Green Week also saw the introduction of a new Environmental Policy leaflet; setting out its ‘commitment to a low carbon and environmentally responsible Council.’
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