Surrey Council approves plans to reduce carbon footprint by 2014

Surrey County Council has approved the Carbon and Energy Policy, which plans to cut the councils carbon footprint and save money on energy bills by 2014.

It will cut carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent, a saving of 21,000 tonnes of carbon ad save them an estimated £11 million on energy bills.
 
Measures to reach these goals over the next four years includes replacing old boilers with more efficient heating systems and better insulation of properties and a further goal of 30 per cent reduction in reducing CO2 emissions from council premises if the 20 per cent target is met by 2014. This includes using low carbon technology such as solar water heating and installing automatic lighting.

Also, reducing carbon emissions from streetlights by 20 per cent by 2015 through the introduction of energy efficient smart lamps, buying at least 50 per cent of the council’s electricity from low carbon sources and fitting 1,300 more smart meters in council properties to measure energy use.

Surrey County Council Leader Dr Andrew Povey said: "We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and our aim is for Surrey to have the lowest carbon emissions of any council in the country."

"Cutting energy use will also reduce our energy bills, providing better value for money for Surrey taxpayers."

Further information:
Surrey County Council