Climate Change and Maidstone Borough
Carbon Reduction 2009-2015
In November 2009, MBC’s Cabinet agreed a 3%
annual carbon reduction target for the council’s operations. This
means the council will have reduced its carbon emissions from
buildings and vehicles by nearly 20% by 2015 and by over 30% by
31st March 2020. At a time of increasing energy and fuel
costs, the decision makes financial as well as environmental sense.
Between 2005 and 2007 the council cut its estimated carbon
emissions by 7% from 6,156.51 tonnes CO2 to 5,724.41
tonnes CO2 - a reduction of 432 tonnes. Kent County
Council also aims to reduce its carbon emissions by 20% by 2015.
MBC’s savings are likely to come from better monitoring of
electricity and gas use in council buildings, utilising energy
efficient vehicles and equipment and above all from energy
conservation – reducing use and waste.
Adapting to expected climate change
As well as acting to reduce carbon emissions from its own
operations and more widely within the borough, the council is also
working with Kent County Council and other districts in Kent to
make the community more resilient to climate change that is already
happening - evidenced by the floods of 2000, the heat wave of 2003
and subsequent two year drought. As part of this approach the
council is working to develop a better understanding of the impacts
of climate change - a local climate impacts profile. A Local
Climate Impacts Profile provides a decision making resource that
can be used to develop a better understanding of how the future
impacts of climate change may affect services provided by agencies
in Maidstone Borough and across Kent as a whole. By undertaking
this project an effective and thorough decision making tool will be
available across the county, which can be used to embed climate
change into decision-making.
Do your bit – and save yourself £500!
It is estimated by government that the average Maidstone
resident was responsible for 6.8 tonnes CO2 emissions
during 2005. This figure is based on your energy and fuel use at
home, in your car/transport and at work. Just like the council, you
too can benefit financially and help the environment by using less
fuel or energy. Maidstone Borough Council has signed up to an
agreement with government to help reduce the carbon emissions of
residents by 11% by 2011. Here are some ideas of how to get started
taken from our information partner the Kent Energy Centre (or
Energy Saving Trust (EST) Advice Centre as it’s now known).
- Step 1: read your bills – get to know how
much energy you use and keep a track of how often you fill up your
car. ‘Smarter driving or eco-driving could save you up to £220 a
year in petrol or diesel.’
Step 2: Switch off when you’re not using
lights or appliances – don’t leave computers, TVs etc on
standby.
Step 3: ‘Give your home a check-up and you
could save around £340 per year.’ Telephone the EST on 0800 512012
or do it online at: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/
If you are eligible, you may be able to get a
grant to make improvements to your home.
Help from Energy Saving Trust
Maidstone Borough Council has just become one
of 8 councils in Kent, East and West Sussex and Surrey to become
part of the EST’s one to one support programme. The one-to-one
support programme aims to help local authorities reduce area-wide
carbon emissions and demonstrate local leadership in addressing
climate change. The programme works on a seven stage process that
takes place over two years to develop, implement and review a
climate change action plan. In the second year the council will be
able to bid for up to £25,000 towards implementing its plans.
Links:
Kent Energy Centre/Energy
Saving Trust Advice Centre
Climate South
East (formerly South East Climate Change Partnership)