Good Progress in Cutting Birmingham's Carbon Emissions (Birmingham Liberal Democrats)

Birmingham Liberal Democrats <info@birminghamlibdems.org.uk>

Good Progress in Cutting Birmingham's Carbon Emissions

June 7, 2010 9:34 PM

"I am proud and delighted to be able to announce that Birmingham's citizens, visitors and businesses have again done their bit to help us meet our challenging but ambitious goals to reduce CO2 levels," said Councillor Paul Tilsley.

Good progress has been made in cutting Birmingham's carbon emissions during the past year. A total of 120,745 tonnes of CO2 recorded savings were made in the 2009/10 financial year, up from recorded savings of 103,039 tonnes in 2008/9. With current energy prices, the Carbon Trust estimates that saving a tonne of CO2 equates to a cost saving of £100, so last years carbon emission cuts have saved Birmingham's residents, businesses, voluntary and public sector organisations around £12 million.

Councillor Paul Tilsley, Deputy Leader of the Council, said: "I am proud and delighted to be able to announce that Birmingham's citizens, visitors and businesses have again done their bit to help us meet our challenging but ambitious goals to reduce CO2 levels."

The biggest element of the saving come from the domestic housing sector at 83,000 tonnes, this is followed by Birmingham City Council and other public sector bodies at 22,419 tonnes and the private sector at 9,987. There is almost certainly significant under reporting, particularly in the private sector as it only tends to be the bigger private sector businesses that report their data.

The savings are spread across electricity, gas and water use, waste production and transport. Much of the savings come from relatively simple actions such as installing energy efficient lighting, upgrading boilers and switching off equipment (for example printers) when buildings are not in use.

Next year the target has been raised to a further 130,000 tonnes in recorded savings. One important caveat to these figures is that they are 'recorded savings', not a statement of the overall CO2 emissions in Birmingham. Nevertheless, the increase in recorded savings is good news and a real demonstration of the City Council's determination to help develop a radically greener economy in the City.