OUTDATED street lights are due to be replaced and solar-powered road signs introduced as part of moves to slash carbon emissions in York by more than 1,000 tonnes.
York Council has signed up to a national campaign to reduce carbon emissions by 10 per cent during this year, and is now looking to introduce a wave of environmentally-friendly measures.
The council is hoping to use renewable energy to power bolla
rds and signs, introduce biomass boilers powered by alternative eco-fuels and replace street lighting with more efficient units to meet the ambitious targets.
Staff are also due to undertake training to raise awareness that simple actions, such as turning off lights when rooms are not in use, can significantly impact on the drive to reduce carbon emissions.
York Council is aiming to cut its carbon footprint by about 1,200 tonnes during the next financial year – excluding emissions generated by its schools and outsourced services.
Other options which are being investigated include reducing the amount of business miles that staff travel, promoting walking and cycling and reducing the number of printers and photocopiers in use at the authority.
The council's commitment to the national 10:10 campaign is part of a wider initiative to reduce its carbon footprint by 25 per cent by 2013, and reduce the city's emissions by 40 per cent by 2020.
Proposals to help to meet these targets include carrying out a study to identify the potential for renewable and low-carbon technologies in the York Green Streets Challenge, which aims to help residents in key areas of the city reduce their carbon footprint.
Members of York Council's executive will receive an update on the authority's sustainability work at a meeting on Tuesday next week.
