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By signing the Nottingham Declaration we are committed to
being one of the top councils in the country to reduce
CO2 emissions by 2012. T
his means we will:
- Work with central government to contribute, at a local level,
to the delivery of the UK Climate Change Programme, the Kyoto Protocol and the target for carbon
dioxide reduction by 2010.
- Assess the risk associated with climate change and the
implications for both communities and our service delivery and
adapt accordingly.
- Encourage and support all sectors in our local community to
take the opportunity to adapt to the impacts of climate change, to
reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions and to make public their
commitment to action.
- To lead the community to deliver the commitments outlined in
the Nottingham Declaration on climate change.
- Share resources, knowledge, expertise and learning with
partners
- Work with our partners and local
communities to address the causes and impacts of climate
change.
- To achieve a significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
from the authority's operations, to be detailed in the
Carbon Reduction Strategy, and
publish results accordingly.
- Drive forward good practice by delivering at least three
exemplar initiatives and promoting these appropriately.
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Carbon Management Plan
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We have developed a Carbon Management Plan with support from the
Carbon Trust. It includes specific projects to reduce carbon
emissions arising from our portfolio of properties and from our use
of vehicles.
The plan will be updated as new projects are planned. The
plan was used to develop our Carbon Reduction and Climate Change
Adaptation Strategy.
Read the Carbon Management Plan
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Carbon Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Strategy
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We have adopted a comprehensive strategy to reduce carbon
emissions from our own operations and adapt our functions and
services to the changing climate.
Read the Carbon Reduction and Climate Change
Adaptation Strategy
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Putting words into action; our projects
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| We pride ourselves on being a leader in developing
environmentally projects, as well as being one of the best councils
in the UK for recycling. Below are some of the projects we have
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South Somerset hydropower project
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We were the first council in the UK to form a mill partnership,
which led to the production of hydro power at nine historic mills
across the district. The project saves a whopping 33 tonnes of
CO2 and 248MWh of a electricity a year (the annual
equivalent to the electrical consumption of 45 households).
Find out more about
the hydropower project
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Yeovil Innovation Centre wind turbine
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Saving energy in our public buildings
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Planning for climate change
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The local planning system now plays an important role
in tackling climate change by aiming to reduce emissions and
encourage the development of energy efficient eco
buildings.
Find out more about
Planning
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Turning waste into art
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Our innovative Scrapstore collects business waste for free and
supplies recycled materials to be used in arts and crafts by local
schools, community groups and artists. By this method, we have
worked with 20 local businesses to recycle over 33 tonnes of
business waste a year.
Find out more about
our Scrapstore
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Innovative recycling
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Together, with Furnicare, we collect unwanted furniture which is
then refurbished and sold at a minimal price to residents on a
low income. By recycling this way, we minimise waste going to
landfill and significantly help those in need; it's a win-win
situation.
Go to the Furnicare website
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Top of the heap for recycling
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We are second in the UK for sending for sending the lowest
levels of refuse to landfill. Despite being pipped to the post for
the top spot, South Somerset residents are actually sending even
less to landfill than ever before, reducing the amount buried by
2,000 tonnes, which is equal to 285 double decker buses in
weight.
Find out more about our
recycling
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Putting back what we take out
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We run a major tree-planting scheme that grants landowners up to
£1,800 per hectare of land made available for tree-planting. We
also offer grants of up to 50 per cent of the total costs of
smaller tree-planting projects. This scheme has led to over 5,000
trees being planted per year, which, when fully grown, will absorb
44 tonnes of CO2 every year.
Find out more about our tree-planting scheme
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Helping you to become greener
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| For more information, please contact our
Climate Change Officer. |