Derbyshire County Council unveil their Climate & Carbon Reduction Manifesto

Derbyshire County Council have unveiled their Derbyshire Climate and Carbon Reduction Manifesto and pledged that they will do all they can to reduce their carbon footprint, cut waste and work with partners, businesses and communities to reduce emissions and improve the environment.

They plan to call on the Government to ensure the necessary policies, legislation and investments are in place so it can work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the county.

The Climate and Carbon Reduction Manifesto makes a number of pledges including:

• reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the council estate and operations by 55% by 2022
• supporting the development of low carbon travel and low emission vehicle infrastructure for electric vehicles and introducing electric vehicles into the council fleet
• working with business and local government partners in China, Japan, India and other countries to foster and encourage carbon reduction in business and tourism activities
• working with developers to build greener, more sustainable homes and developing policy with district and borough councils around new builds so they are less dependent on carbon and fossil fuel
• stimulating business opportunities and job creation in the low carbon sector
• working with partners such as D2N2 and the Midlands Energy Hub to support renewable energy generation projects
• promoting renewable energy generation and improved energy efficiency, including through the use of smart technology.

The new Manifesto will build on the work they are already doing to reduce carbon emissions and tackle climate change and policies are already in place to tackle unnecessary waste.

Since 2010 emissions have been reduced from street lights by 63% due to the rolling out of LEDs, and across their estate (buildings and vehicles) emissions have been reduced by 34%.

They are already supporting a programme of installing electric vehicle charge points across the county and the use of single-use plastics and non-recyclable cups have been stopped in any type of catering at County Hall.

For more information and to view a copy of the manifesto please click here.

Photo courtesy of Derbyshire County Council.