Council switches on to 10:10 campaign

Blackburn with Darwen Council has signed up to an ambitious target to reduce its emissions by 10 per cent in 2010.

A resolution outlining the Council's commitment to the 10:10 campaign was signed at Council Forum on Thursday, January 28.

10:10 is aimed at uniting every sector of British society behind one simple idea: that by working together, we can achieve a 10 per cent cut in the UK's carbon emissions in 2010.

By becoming a 10:10 organisation, the Council has pledged to pull out all the stops to try to reduce its carbon footprint and in doing so, save money.

It's already investing in energy efficiency measure such as new lighting, voltage optimisation and combined heat and power boilers and is now investigating renewable energy solutions such as biomass boilers and solar panels.

But it is enlisting the help of every elected member and every member of staff to eliminate wastage and increase efficiency.

This Council emits nearly 30,000 tonnes of carbon every year from its buildings, school, streetlights, fleet and business travel - that's roughly 5 and a half tonnes for every member and member of staff - equivalent to five and a half hot air balloons each.

Cutting its carbon footprint by 10 per cent would help to save money - up to £500,000.

Councillor Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration and environment, said: "It is important that every member of the Council, both staff and elected members, play their part in helping to reduce our carbon footprint. By working together, we can make a difference to the environment and equally as important, we can save money and work more efficiently. Whether you are a global warming believer or a sceptic, it is still in all of our interest to conserve natural resources for our children and their children."

Councillor David Foster, Deputy Leader of the Council and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, added: "Signing up to the 10:10 campaign shows how seriously we are taking our commitment to climate change and reducing our own emissions. We are already investing money in energy efficiency measures which will make us more greener but also help us save money."