Council hails carbon cuts savings

A council on Teesside claims to have saved £120,000 in just six months by cutting down on its carbon emissions.

Stockton Council pledged to cut emissions by 25% by 2013 but says it has already managed a 3% reduction in the first six months of a campaign.

The authority said a range of measures, including the use of biofuels in council vehicles and better insulation in buildings was responsible.

A spokeswoman said staff had "really embraced" the campaign.

'Great achievement'

Cabinet member for the environment, Jennie Beaumont, added: "In the six months since our campaign was launched, we have already reduced our carbon output by 3%.

"This equates to £120,000 of saved money or 125,000 trees.

"It is a great achievement to reduce emissions by 3% in such a short space of time and I'm confident that with more hard work and commitment, we can meet our targets.

"Staff have really embraced our carbon reduction campaign and making small changes to their working practices which are collectively having a huge impact on our carbon output."