Council commits to reducing its carbon emissions

Members have agreed to sign up to the national 10:10 campaign, a campaign which is supported by organisations such as Comic Relief and which aims to encourage individuals, businesses and organisations to reduce their carbon footprint by 10% in one year. Cheltenham Borough Council is joining other local authorities and a wide range of organisations in the area who have also signed up to 10:10. 

The campaign will form part of a wider programme of work which the council is supporting, not only to improve its own performance, but to encourage staff and the wider community to take steps to combat climate change and become more self reliant.

Council initiatives which will contribute to the reduction in carbon include the refurbishment of the crematorium with new equipment which will be significantly more efficient; the re-organising of recycling waste which will save 2,400 miles per month from the council's fleet; and the close monitoring of energy usage in our buildings. Projects already underway include more energy efficient lighting at Grosvenor Terrace car park and the Smarter Travel Plan which promotes sustainable travel within the council.

Gill Morris, partnerships officer, said: "We already set ambitions and targets to achieve on reducing carbon emissions; the 10:10 campaign is a means of cementing that commitment and demonstrating it. The 10:10 campaign is gaining momentum and it's great we've agreed to become a part of it."

Councillor Roger Whyborn, Cabinet member for sustainability, added: "Climate change is everybody's responsibility and by joining the campaign the council is pledging their commitment to take action. It's not just about reducing the council's emissions; by signing up we're now part of a national drive to reduce the entire country's carbon footprint. I would encourage everyone to sign up to do their bit."

The Cabinet report can be found on our website