PUBLIC sector organisations in Worcestershire have been slapped with taxes of more than £700,000 for not being green enough, it has emerged.

The Government’s controversial carbon tax - essentially a fine for emissions - has seen the county council, police and NHS fork out £738,084 in the first year of operation.

Bosses at County Hall had to hand over £358,620 of taxpayers’ money, the highest levy in the county.

It comes when the council is under huge pressure to make savings, and is cutting £20 million from spending every year to at least 2018.

The carbon tax was introduced in 2010 by the Government for councils and other large employers, which are mandated to pay a yearly sum for energy use such as lighting and heating.

Carbon emissions are added up from the data, and used to levy the fine - the first set of which applied for the 2011/12 financial year.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust paid out £284,076, the second biggest rate in the county, while West Mercia Police’s tax was £95,388.

Katie Bruton, the county council's senior sustainability officer, said: "The council is committed to reducing greenhouses gases, including carbon emissions, from its buildings and this is reflected in our corporate plan, called FutureFit.

“We have set ourselves a target of a 30 per cent reduction in CO2 by March 2016 from council operations and activities, including all schools and council buildings, and I'm pleased to say that we're already exceeding interim targets and have reduced emissions by 12 per cent already.”

County Hall say reducing the number of computers to promote desk sharing, turning off lights and radiators more often, and less spending on fuel for vehicles is all having an impact.

Both the council and NHS say the taxes for 2012/13 financial year have not been calculated yet, but West Mercia Police has been told it will have to pay another £98,298 in September.

West Mercia has been placed second out of 24 rival forces for reducing carbon emissions by the Environment Agency, despite the tax.

George Barr, the force’s energy and environment officer, said: “With the continued increases in energy costs it’s more important than ever to cut our consumption, especially as public sector bodies face reduced budgets.”

A spokesman for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: “We’re committed to making the most of the energy we use and reducing our carbon footprint, as well as reducing the amount of carbon tax we pay.

“Over the last two years, we have refurbished ventilation systems; installed energy saving lighting controls; and separated heating control zones to allow greater control and save energy.

“Our plans for the future include increasing recycling and modernising water heating equipment. We’re also going to be looking into the use of renewable energy.