The council proposes to invest over £1.7 million in 22 projects over the next two years, ranging from replacing eight diesel vans with electric vehicles, to installing energy efficient LED lighting throughout the Grand Arcade car park and Grafton East car park.
Investment will be targeted at the buildings and services which contribute most to the council’s carbon emissions, including swimming pools, offices, vehicle fleet, car parks, community centres, sheltered housing and commercial properties.
The plan also identifies a range of other potential carbon reduction projects that could be delivered in subsequent years, but which need further investigation before resources can be committed.
The plan builds on previous work by the council to reduce its emissions. The council has invested £1.8m in 47 projects, which were delivered over the past five years through the council’s previous carbon management plan.
A variety of carbon reduction technologies were installed, ranging from a solar thermal system that captures solar energy to heat the pool water at Abbey Pools, to LED lighting at seven sites including the Corn Exchange and the crematorium.
The council is committed to playing its part in global efforts to limit the extent of future climate change and local efforts to respond to the impacts of climate change on residents, businesses and the local environment.
The new Carbon Management Plan is a key element of the council’s wider Climate Change Strategy, which focuses on reducing carbon emissions in four key areas that contribute most to the city’s carbon footprint. These are:
- Emissions from council buildings and activities
- Energy used by homes and businesses
- Sustainable transport
- Reducing waste and increasing recycling.
Consultation is currently taking place on the new Climate Change Strategy, and residents and other interested parties are encouraged to have their say.
Cllr George Owers, Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources, said: “This new Carbon Management Plan demonstrates the council’s ongoing commitment to reducing our own carbon footprint and supporting global efforts to tackle climate change.
“In the current challenging funding climate for local government, we face increasing challenges to deliver core services and meet the needs of vulnerable residents, but addressing climate change remains very much a key priority for us.
“This plan builds on our investment in new carbon reduction technologies in recent years.
“It sets out sets out a further programme of substantial investment in new measures, from electric vehicles to energy efficient LED lighting, which we believe will both pay back financially and will significantly reduce our emissions."
The new Carbon Management Plan is subject to approval by councillors at the council’s Strategy and Resources Committee meeting on 18 January. Reports presented to council committees are available on the council’s website here.
Consultation on the council’s new Climate Change Strategy began on 14 October and closes on 12 January 2016. Residents and other interested parties can have their say by completing the survey available on the council’s website.
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Contacts
Cllr George Owers (Labour Group), Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources, email: george.owers@cambridge.gov.uk, tel: 07833 012979
Cllr Tim Bick (Liberal Democrat Group), Opposition spokesperson, email: tim.bick@btinternet.com, tel: 07720 413173
Cllr John Hipkin (Minorities Group), Opposition spokesperson, email: castleindependent@gmail.com, tel: 01223 564126
Andrew Limb, Head of Corporate Strategy, email: andrew.limb@cambridge.gov.uk, tel: 01223 457004
David Kidston, Strategy and Partnerships Manager, email: david.kidston@cambridge.gov.uk, tel: 01223 457043
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