Cambridge cuts carbon emission by quarter since 2015

Cambridge City Council has revealed that carbon emissions from the authority’s buildings, vehicles and services have fallen by just over 25 per cent since 2014-15.

The 25 per cent fall in the council’s emissions means that the council’s target of a 15 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2021 has been reached two years early.

The annual climate change report outlines the work that the council has been doing to reduce its own carbon emissions, including energy-saving projects introduced by the council and a shift from coal-fired power stations to renewable energy sources nationally, which has reduced the carbon emissions from the electricity used by the council.

Other council projects highlighted in the report include installing solar PV arrays on eight large council buildings, installing electric vehicle charge points for taxis across the city, energy efficiency improvement to the Guildhall and Mandela House, including installing low-energy LED lighting at both sites, and encouraging cycling by installing 55 new cycle parking stands in the city centre.

Rosy Moore, executive councillor for Climate Change, Environment and City Centre, said: “Working to reduce carbon emissions and limit the effects of climate change is of vital importance for the city and indeed for the planet, as the recent global climate strike made very clear.

“Our annual report shows that the council’s carbon emissions have reduced by more than 25 per cent in the past four years. However, it is essential that residents, businesses and other large organisations work together with us to make Cambridge net zero carbon as soon as possible.

“We would like to thank residents, businesses and other organisations in Cambridge for all their efforts to reduce their own carbon emissions. We would also urge everyone in the city to think about how to go further in cutting emissions, including by consuming less heat, less meat, and less fossil-fuelled transport.”