Councils Told to Cut Carbon

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Councils across the UK have been threatened with cash cuts unless they cut out carbon emissions dramatically.

New laws mean they will need to buy licences for every tonne of CO2 produced, which has lead to a number of leaders looking to make offices and transport more ‘green’.

The new carbon trading scheme will be introduced this year, and will give councils 12 months to do their part to reduce emissions. Those that fail to make proper reductions will be fined, and those that cut down on emissions will be rewarded.

All of the action will be recorded in the form of a league table, according to the Department of Energy and Climate Change, and bills will go up for the worst performers.

In the North East alone, based on current emissions, councils would be required to pay over £5 million in total to make up for their inefficient buildings and vehicles. On top of this, failure to reduce emissions would see bills increase by 10%.

The environment spokesman for Newcastle Labour group says that this is a way to stop councils just promising to go green, and start making sure they actually take action.

Moves to help reduce emissions include adding double glazing windows to council properties, helping to make them naturally warmer. Councils are also looking at installing meters for carbon emissions, using biomass heaters, and improving car fleets.

Head of environment and regeneration at Gateshead, Peter Thompson, said that “we believe that these and other measures will make a major impact on our carbon footprint but we remain committed to investigating new and innovative ways of reducing our carbon pollution by 35% by the end of 2014.”