Council beats energy-saving target

A COUNCIL in North Yorkshire has cut its carbon footprint by almost four times its target.

Selby District Council reduced emissions from its buildings and transport by nearly 12 per cent – despite the last financial year's target being just a three per cent cut.

Savings came largely through shortening journeys for waste collection vehicles and turning down council office thermostats by one degree celsius, in line with Energy Saving Trust recommendations.

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The council reduced its gas consumption by 50,000 kilowatt hours, saving nine tonnes of carbon dioxide between April last year and March, despite the coldest winter for more than 30 years.

The efforts are saving huge sums as the council, like others around the country, faces increasing financial pressures.

Within a year, the council should move from a 30-year old building to a new civic centre and community hospital development. There, other energy-saving features should reduce emissions even more.

Newly-released figures for the 2009-10 year show that buildings emissions decreased by 120 tonnes – or 5.6 per cent – while transport emissions were cut by 417 tonnes – or 17.5 per cent.

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