For Aberdeen City Council, the programme delivered:
Collection of carbon emissions data to establish a ‘baseline’
A carbon emissions baseline of 62,100 tonnes of annual CO2 emissions in 2002/3, with an associated total cost of £7.74 million, was identified.
Updated targets for future carbon emissions
A new and achievable target was agreed: to reduce carbon emissions by 10% by 2010 and by 15% by 2015 (compared with the 2002/3 baseline). This contrasts with an expected increase in emissions of 1.5% by 2015, if no interventions were made.
Identification and prioritisation of practical opportunities to cut emissions
In the short-term, the Carbon Trust advised three key areas for priority carbon emission reduction activity. These were:
- Implementation of energy and water efficiency measures in corporate buildings
- Integrating energy efficiency into the Council’s procurement process
- Developing the potential of the existing energy service company Aberdeen Heat and Power to supply energy to Council buildings and functions
Other longer-term priorities included:
- Replacing street lamps with energy-efficient lighting
- Increasing the proportion of ‘green’ electricity for street-lighting and buildings by reviewing suppliers
- Developing the potential of the existing energy service company Aberdeen Heat and Power to supply energy to Council buildings and function
- Reviewing the integration of energy efficiency within the maintenance programme
- Developing a revised travel plan for staff e.g. a car-share database
- Develop a procurement policy for replacing fleet with lower carbon emission vehicles
Provision of an Action Plan as the basis for ongoing carbon management
The Carbon Trust provided a Priority Action Plan which details key actions, how they will be resourced financially, outlines the most appropriate individuals responsible, and establishes a process for both regularly reviewing the Plan and reporting on delivery against targets.
It also ensures carbon management achieves the necessary senior level buy-in.
Find out more about expert advice available for local authorities to help reduce energy costs and cut emissions.