Energy-saving Council Sails to Success

10.27.00pm GMT Fri 21st Dec 2007

Round-the-world yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur has presented Milton Keynes Council with an award to recognise its success in cutting energy use at schools, libraries and other council-owned buildings.

The Carbon Trust, a Government-backed climate change charity, recognised the achievements of the Council in cutting carbon emissions by awarding it membership of the Energy Efficiency Accreditation Scheme.

The scheme recognises the achievements in reducing energy by businesses and organisations in industry, commerce and the public sector.

Since launching its carbon-management plan in spring last year, the Council has carried out an energy audit of all its buildings.

Now it has set aside £650,000 in a self-financing seed fund to introduce energy-saving measures across all its buildings.

At the Civic Offices, these measures are already beginning to work: by taking small but simple steps such as switching off computers not in use, the electricity bill has been cut by more than 20%.

Liberal Democrat councillor Douglas McCall, cabinet member responsible for environment, said: "Energy saving is sound commercial sense for any organisation, so investing time and energy in this area has to be worthwhile.

"I am glad to see that the Council is leading the way by example. We can all help to improve the environment we live in by saving energy, whether at home or in the workplace."