Council 'on track' for CO2 target

Staffordshire County Council says it is on track to reach its target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 4,000 tonnes over the next year.

The council says cutting business miles and carrying out school energy audits are among the tactics it is using.

Four thousands tonnes of CO2 equates to what would be emitted by using 450,000 gallons of petrol - or about 15,000 full tanks of fuel for an average car.

Councillor Terry Dix said the recent floods underlined the need for action.

'Carbon footprint'

"We have to act, and the county council has been leading the way over the last year," he said.

"The county council is a massive operation providing essential services like education, social care and health, planning, economic development and transport co-ordination which underpins daily life and prosperity for the people of Staffordshire.

"All these operations use energy and consume resources.

"Careful planning and co-ordination and the integration of new energy-saving technologies is really helping us to tackle our climate change carbon footprint."