Council cuts carbon footprint and saves £246,000

HARLOW Council has been recognised for using green technology to significantly reduce its energy consumption.

The Carbon Trust has presented the authority with a certificate to mark its achie-vements over the past year after four council buildings were given improved energy efficiency scores.

Combined energy use at the Civic Centre, the Playhouse, the Latton Bush Centre and the Leah Manning Centre has been  reduced following the installation of extra insulation, voltage optimisation boxes and ‘smart’ air handling units.

In addition, staff have been encouraged to become more energy-conscious while at work.

The initiatives have seen the council cut its carbon emissions by 164 tonnes and save £246,000 on its annual energy bill.

Tony Hall, the council’s portfolio holder for environment, said: “As a major emplo-yer in Harlow it is important we lead by example when it comes to reducing the town’s carbon footprint and we are doing just that.

“Our building managers and staff have worked really hard to ensure they only use the energy they need and they all have programmes in place to ensure that this continues to improve in future.”

The council is now working to add the carbon footprint from waste and water usage in its calculations and has agreed a five-year programme of energy savings targets with the trust to achieve a 25 per cent reduction in emissions by 2015/16.

“Being energy efficient is both good for the environment and helps save council taxpayers’ money,” said  Cllr Hall. “We will continue to do what we can to reduce our carbon use as well as support local businesses and residents to do their bit.”