Council on track to reduce its carbon emissions by more than 20 per cent by 2020
Winchester City Council is on course to beat its target of reducing carbon emissions by 20 per cent by 2020.
Over the last four years, the council has carried out works to reduce water, gas and electricity consumption in its properties.
The work has included replacing the lighting systems at Tower Street multi-storey car park and city offices with low energy LED lights, as well as using low energy technology in all new council homes that are under construction.
The council is installing solar lighting at its City Offices in Colebrook Street, which at its peak will generate 48Kw of electricity. It will also investigate installing a 50Kw array on the roof of the depot at Barfield Close.
The council’s carbon footprint report for 2015/2016 showed the authority produced 4646.3 tonnes of CO2. But thanks to the energy-busting schemes, the draft figures for 2017 and 2018 indicate total carbon emissions of around 3700 tonnes, showing the council well on track to hit its 20 per cent reduction target.
Winchester City Council Portfolio Holder for Environment, Cllr Jan Warwick said:
“We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and being a green council focused on reducing emissions and contributing to our district’s low carbon economy.”
The council also has 12 actions for becoming a low carbon council, include purchasing the most energy-efficient equipment and fittings for buildings and facilitating the introduction of renewable energy initiatives in council-owned or as community projects.