Figures Reveal Council Carbon Emissions Reduced by More than Half

Stunning new figures have revealed that the comprehensive energy saving programme introduced by Mayor Dave Hodgson has reduced Bedford Borough Council's carbon emissions by a massive 53%.

Works across the Council's buildings have included lighting upgrades, installation of solar panels, and Borough Hall has been converted from oil fired boilers to a biomass boiler.

A radical programme of carbon-cutting and energy saving measures was launched alongside a 40% reduction target in 2011, but that has now been surpassed in emphatic fashion, with emissions falling by more than half since 2009/10.

Further projects delivered by the Council have seen improved lighting installed at a number of the car parks including Lurke Street, Queen Street and River Street which have already seen huge savings; with a 50% saving in just one year at Queen Street.

Mayor Dave Hodgson said "The vast array of measures we've taken to cut our carbon emissions have both reduced our environmental impact and saved taxpayers money. It is vital that the Council does its bit to protect both the local and wider environment and through hard work and targeted measures, we've achieved dramatic results in cutting our emissions."