Council Signs up to Save £millions by Pioneering Carbon Management

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 23rd Sep 2005

Liberal Democrat Milton Keynes Council has announced that it is one of 26 local authorities from England and Scotland accepted to take part in the Carbon Trust's carbon management programme. The scheme will help to cut the Council's energy bills by millions of pounds. The Carbon Trust programme provides councils with support and guidance to help them cut carbon emissions.

The launch of the Carbon Trust's latest programme follows two successful pilots involving 40 local authorities which, to date, have identified opportunities to make savings of £12.5 million.

One of the most innovative elements of the programme is an interactive web-based toolkit, designed to help local authorities put carbon management techniques into practice. It gives detailed guidance on carbon management, provides technical support in specific areas such as improving energy efficiency in buildings, and includes software to calculate a baseline for emissions. The programme also involves workshop support for staff, and senior management training.

Councillor Douglas McCall, Liberal Democrat cabinet member responsible for the environment said: "Improving the environment for the future of our children is one of the Council's priorities. By reducing carbon emissions, we can help not only to limit greenhouse gases which lead to global warming but also save on energy bills. The main focus of the carbon management programme is to reduce emissions under the direct control of the local authority, for example from buildings, vehicles, street lighting and landfill sites.

Anyone interested in the toolkit can visit www.thecarbontrust.co.uk for more information.