11.10.19
Cambridge City Council cuts carbon emissions by a quarter
A newly released report has highlighted Cambridge City Council’s progress in cutting carbon emissions from its operations, showing a 25.2% reduction over four years.
The steady fall in carbon emissions within the council’s jurisdiction through the period of 2014/15 to 2018/19 can be traced back to the council’s actions and a shift in national electricity production from coal-fired power stations towards renewable energy.
The significant reduction is well ahead of the council’s reduction target, which had been targeting a 15% decrease in emissions by 2021. This reduction is also in line with a government target of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050, announced in June this year.
Since the establishment of a Climate Change Fund in 2008, Cambridge City Council has spent over £1.5m on carbon output limitation measures across its operations – as well as earmarking further funds for future use.
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These measures have included the installation of solar panels on larger council properties and improving energy efficiency in council properties by fitting low-energy LED lighting and better managing energy use.
Councillor Rosy Moore, executive councillor for climate change, environment and city centre, was keen to stress that the success did not prevent the need to further reduce carbon emissions.
Cllr Moore said: “It is essential that residents, businesses and other large organisations work together with us to make Cambridge net zero carbon as soon as possible.
“We would like to thank residents, businesses and other organisations in Cambridge for all their efforts to reduce their own carbon emissions.
“We would also urge everyone in the city to think about how to go further in cutting emissions, including by consuming less heat, less meat, and less fossil-fuelled transport.”