An estimate indicates that Suffolk Coastal produces around 400
tonnes of carbon dioxide every year through staff travel and energy
consumption associated with its Melton Hill offices.
This is not a significant emission on its own but it is
recognised that the waste collection services, street cleaning,
leisure facilities and other activities that are delivered by
partner organisations on the Council’s behalf will have a much
larger one and that the communities across the district will have a
larger one still.
For this reason, despite its relatively low impact, the Council
has decided it will lead by example and, by working with its
partners, reduce its emissions on an annual basis where this does
not compromise service delivery.
We have already taken some positive action by:
- Publicly agreeing to the need for action to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions by signing
the Nottingham Declaration on Climate
Change.
- Exploring options for reducing the Council's energy consumption
- we have already had an energy audit carried out on our main
buildings by the Carbon Trust (new window).
- Employing a Sustainability Officer to communicate the issues
and engage staff and help drive improvement projects.
- Working with
the Energy Saving Trust (new window) on a 12 month
pilot project to support local authorities on their climate change
programmes.
- Promoting energy efficiency in the home through the county-wide
partnership Suffolk Energy Action Link (SEAL).
- Joining CRed Suffolk - a partnership of local
authorities, businesses and other organisations, working together
to help communities and businesses tackle climate
change.