West Berks reduced carbon emissions reached ahead of target

The news was highlighted in West Berkshire Council’s climate change strategy, which addresses the causes and impacts of climate change within the district and nationally.
The refreshed strategy was approved last week.
Its overall target was to reduce the district’s emissions to 17 per cent of 2005 levels – at which point approximately 6,173,833 tonnes of carbon dioxide had been emitted from the district, by 2020.
Statistics released by the Department of Energy and Climate Change showed that West Berkshire had emitted 1,111,290 tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2011, equating to 7.2 tonnes per resident of the population, which was then at 154,100.
This was already an 18 per cent reduction on the 2005 figure.
To help drive down the levels, the council focused on a number of areas, including raising awareness of green issues and what communities can do to reduce their emissions, increase the use of renewable energy and more efficient use of water.
The cause of the rapid decline is not known, however likely factors are the improved efficiency of housing, vehicles and domestic appliances and behaviour change as a result of the recession, as well as West Berkshire residents generally becoming more energy-aware.
The executive portfolio holder for environmental health and the cleaner & greener initiative at West Berkshire Council, Dominic Boeck (Con, Thatcham South and Crookham) said: “I would also like to thank people for their contribution and the way in which everyone has worked together.
“It has been a collaborative piece of work that’s down to the skills of people in West Berkshire and it’s a real pleasure to see that.
“There has been some fantastic work done by officers and our partners in the West Berkshire Partnership and the Greener Sub-Partner-ship.”
Mr Boeck approved the refreshed strategy last week.
Efforts will now be focused on maintaining the current level until 2020.
For more information on what you can do to decrease your carbon dioxide emissions, visit www.westberks.gov.uk/index