A commitment to tackle climate change by reducing carbon emissions was agreed today by Falkirk Council.

Members of the Environment and Community Safety Committee today approved the Carbon Management Plan which sets out how carbon emissions can be reduced across the Council’s estate and activities.

The four year plan sets out to reduce carbon emissions by 20% and deliver savings totalling £7.5million over a four year period.

Councillor Craig R Martin, Vice Convener of the Environment and Community Safety Committee said: “This plan will do two things, firstly reduce the amount of carbon we use, but as important in the current climate, will save the council around £7.5 million over the next four years.

“The plan will put in measures so that every council department needs to reduce their emissions by 1% each year; this is aimed at trying to achieve a culture shift in how carbon management is seen. We hope this message can spread to all parts of society so that everyone will reduce their impact upon the environment.  

“The plan has projects that will significantly reduce emissions and now puts us on track to achieve a total 42% emissions reduction by 2014/15. If successful this would mean that we would meet the national target of a 42% reduction in emissions by 2020 – five years ahead of that target.”

Five out of the forty three projects are already complete and cost £54k with an annual CO₂ saving of 2,397 tonnes – and an annual financial saving of £324k.       

Current projects include low carbon replacement vehicles, PC switch off in 90% of Council offices and the installation of smart meters in nearly every school.

The Carbon Management Plan has 43 projects, five are complete and 11 are fully funded by existing budgets. Seven projects such as fleet driver training will be delivered to meet other agendas such as business efficiency or health and safety, but will have clear CO₂ benefits. Fifteen projects are eligible from funding via the Central Energy Efficiency Fund.