Battling climate change

Emissions of carbon dioxide – one of the gases blamed for climate change – were cut by more than 13% across the St Albans District in eight years.

And St Albans City and District Council played its part by promoting green transport and improving the energy performance of its buildings and social housing.

More work needs to be done, though, with one of two key targets set by the Council having yet to be met.

Details of the measures taken to decrease carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are to be given to the Council’s Cabinet at its meeting on Tuesday 20 October.

The Council encourages residents and business to cut back on emissions by reducing energy consumption and using sustainable transport. It tries to set an example by its own actions.

It has a target of a yearly 3% reduction in total emissions across the District from 2006 and a yearly 1.5% reduction in domestic emissions alone from 2010.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change recently published figures for the years up to 2013.

These show the Council’s overall target was not met - although it was in line with the East of England region - while the domestic target was exceeded.

Total emissions were down by 13.5% instead of the hoped for 19%. This was in part caused by 2012 and 2013 being colder than average, causing a rise in gas consumption.

Domestic emissions were down by 5.5% from 2010, a bigger cut than the 4.5% target.

In other findings, it was shown emissions from road transport across the District fell by 16% from 2005 to 2013 – an improvement on the national average of 13%.

In playing its part, the Council has installed solar panel systems to generate green electricity at its three new leisure centres, Westminster Lodge, Batchwood and Cotlandswick.

Lighting and IT systems in the Council’s offices have been upgraded to save energy. This has included a reduction in the number of computer servers from more than 100 to fewer than 40.

The Council’s social housing is being made more energy-efficient by installing loft insulation, condensing boilers and double glazing.

The Council is also supporting sustainable transport by jointly developing the Green Ring walking and cycling route and funding 11 new buses.

Included in the report of Cabinet are figures for the emissions from the activities of the Council and its contractors. 

Overall, the Council’s emissions fell 16% between 2008 and 2015.

Much of this was due to a reduction in the number of Council-owned properties. When emissions are calculated to take account of that, the overall figure is shown to have increased by 0.5% since 2008.

Councillor Daniel Chichester-Miles, Portfolio Holder for the Environment for St Albans City and District Council, said: “The Council does not have direct control over the District’s CO2 emissions.

“But we have a role to play in promoting and helping the cause of reducing emissions. We have also taken steps to reduce the Council’s own carbon footprint and continue to look at ways of doing so.

“This is a long-term issue and we will be keeping a close watch on emissions’ data for years to come as we try to meet reduction targets.”

For more information about greener living in St Albans, see: https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/environment-and-sustainability

Councillor contact:

Cllr Daniel Chichester-Miles, Portfolio Holder for the Environment, St Albans City and District Council 

 Email: Cllr.D.Chichester-Miles@stalbans.gov.uk

Contact for the media:

John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, St Albans City District Council

Tel: 01727 296130 

E-mail: john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk