Tough new targets set in bid to cut emissions

The carbon emissions from Worcester City Council, produced by everything from its fleet of vehicles to the city crematorium, have reduced by less than one per cent over the last two years despite efforts by the council to make cuts.

Now, the council is setting itself a tough new target to slash emissions by a quarter by 2016, set against its current carbon footprint. Council officers have been asked to identify cuts, particularly on use of petrol and diesel and electricity and gas bills.

They are also hoping to secure government-backed loans towards new energy-saving schemes including fitting low energy lighting at the city’s St Martin’s Gate multi-storey car park, and changes to the power supply at St John’s Sports Centre.

In 2011/12, the council had to spend £352,000 of taxpayers’ money on gas and electric at its buildings, but is looking to slash its spending by 20 per cent.

But council chiefs admit even that cuts will only “mitigate” the effect of inevitable energy price rises, which are out of The Guildhall’s control. The council fixes its energy bills with suppliers every three years, and is expecting a rise of 25 per cent when it renegotiates what it will pay in October 2014.

The new carbon-cutting plan will be discussed at council cabinet on Tuesday, March 20. Council documents reveal that the biggest single carbon emitter is the crematorium, which is almost a fifth of the council’s output.

The local authority’s vehicle fleet make up about a third of the council’s emissions, and the Guildhall about 15 per cent. If agreed by council chiefs, the energy-saving plan is estimated to be saving £80,000 a year by 2015 based on current emissions and predicted price rises.

Councillor Roger Knight, cabinet member for cleaner and greener, said: “These savings will make a significant contribution to pegging the council’s running costs, which is good news for us and taxpayers. The council is committed to reducing its impact on the environment.”