Exeter City Council carbon footprint reductions highlighted

A report going before Exeter City Council's Scrutiny Community Committee will highlight achievements of the Council's staff to reduce the local authority's carbon footprint.

Achievements include a 16 per cent reduction in mileage claims by staff and a 16 per cent reduction in diesel and petrol usage in Council vehicles due to increased use of biodiesel, more efficient vehicles and better route planning and a 5.4 per cent reduction in the Council’s carbon dioxide emissions since 2006/07.



Also, a 41 per cent reduction in waste going to landfill from the Civic Centre offices due to the introduction of new recycling facilities for staff, a 32 per cent reduction in water consumption at the Civic Centre due to installation of water saving technologies in washrooms and better monitoring of usage.

Achievements also include a 10 per cent reduction in electricity consumption at the Civic Centre due to energy saving lighting and technologies and a 21 per cent reduction in office paper consumption due to an increase in duplex printing and electronic forms of communication and data storage.



Further projects to reduce emissions further include a trial of eco-driver training for fleet drivers to reduce fuel consumption, increasing the use of biodiesel in Cleansing and Parks vehicles, installing solar panels on Council buildings to generate electricity and a trial of hydrogen hybrid technology in vehicles to reduce fuel use.


Also, installing energy saving technologies in Council buildings, including voltage reduction technology, energy efficient lighting and digital heating thermostats.


Further information:
Exeter City Council