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Councils working together to beat carbon emissions
Portsmouth City Council and Gosport Borough Council are hoping to slash their carbon footprints by 30%.
Portsmouth and Gosport share 1,650,000 tonnes of carbon emissions between them, equivalent to the weight of 55 Spinnaker Towers.
To show that they're leading by example, both organisations have decided to call in experts to help them cut their emissions.
They will be using the Carbon Trust's management programme, which helps public sector organisations achieve significant reductions in carbon emissions. It is funded by the government and sees councils following a detailed programme with the support of energy consultants.
Over the next 10 months both councils will identify around 10 high-profile projects that will enable them to save energy.
Portsmouth City Council's Cabinet Member for the Environment, Cllr Jason Fazackarley, said: "This is an exciting programme to be part of and we are delighted that the Carbon Trust have chosen to work with us.
"We're committed to reducing our carbon footprint and will be looking at some interesting opportunities to help achieve our target.
"As a large organisation in the city we have to lead by example. The carbon footprint agenda is an issue which affects us all and we want to show our residents we're prepared to do something about it.
"We're on this programme with our partners at Gosport Borough Council and will be learning from each other the best ways to reduce our carbon footprint."
Councillor June Cully, Gosport Borough Council's Champion for Carbon Emissions said: "We welcome working together with Portsmouth City Council and the Carbon Trust in a partnership which will allow us to pool our combined expertise to achieve maximum results with limited resources."
"It also means we can look to reduce our energy bills at a time of ever increasing fuel costs and, perhaps more importantly for a low lying Borough almost surrounded by water - we can mitigate the effects of Climate Change to help ensure a safer future."
At the end of the 10 months a five-year strategy will be launched, detailing how both councils plan to achieve their carbon reduction targets.
Date : 11 July 2008
