Climate change – what we are doing
Reducing our energy consumption
We aim to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from council buildings by 14% by 2009/10, compared to 2001/02 levels. We are investing £100,000 a year in energy saving measures and have published a Carbon Management Action Plan.
Between 2000 and 2006 we:
- reduced the amount of carbon dioxide from energy used in council buildings by nearly 14%
- were awarded £350,000 to improve our environmental performance and help other organisations improve theirs.
We are always looking at ways to further reduce our carbon footprint. A trial biomass heating system that could save up to 600 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year has been installed at Beacon Community College, Crowborough, winning a South East Renewable Energy Award.
Other energy-saving actions that we have carried out include:
- better heating control systems in council buildings
- green electricity supplied to all council buildings including schools plus 6% of street lighting
- an award-winning scheme to heat a school extension at Upper Dicker using a ground source heat pump.
We are also considering the use of wind turbines and special controls that switch off lights when rooms are empty.
Our policies
What are local authorities doing nationally?
Reducing and recyling waste
Recycling reduces the energy used to make new products. Since 2006, we have reduced council waste going to landfill from our largest offices by around 50%.
In 2007, we started composting at County Hall. Buckets were added to recycling facilities in kitchens and the number of rubbish bins were reduced. 45–50kgs of waste a week is now going into our Green Johanna compost bins instead of to landfill .
Staff travel
Council staff are entitled to discounted bus travel and season-ticket loans to encourage them to use public transport. Flexible working enables many staff to work from home, cutting down on the number of journeys on the roads.
We provide pool cars so that staff can make business journeys without having to bring their own vehicles to work. Staff driving into work can join the car-share club.
Secure bike sheds and showers are available for staff who cycle to work.
More information about Green travel.
Sustainable planning
When we prepare our local Development Plan Documents, we must carry out Sustainability Appraisals to ensure that social, economic and environmental considerations are taken into account.
For details, see our page on Sustainability Appraisal.
Advice for businesses
We can provide businesses with environmental information to help them reduce costs, improve profits and make sure they comply with legislation.
More about Green business.
Contact us
For more information or advice on environmental management, contact our Environmental Co-ordinator.
