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Home Page > Environment > Climate Change

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)