Carbon targets crushed
Birmingham has exceeded its CO2 targets by saving 103,039 tonnes of CO2 since March 2008. The announcement comes on World Environment Day (5th June 2009), one year after Dame Ellen MacArthur challenged brummies to collectively cut their CO2 emissions by 100,000 tonnes.
from left to right: Councillor Len Gregory, Sharon Lea, Councillor Paul Tilsley
Following this success, the next challenge for Birmingham is to save a further 120,000 tonnes this year, which is equivalent to a 120kg CO2 saving per person. This means, for example, replacing five light bulbs with energy saving bulbs.
Leading the way in carbon savings in the public and private sector are the city’s hospitals and NHS Primary Care Trusts, which have collectively saved 8,912 tonnes of CO2. Heartlands Hospital alone has cut its carbon footprint by 50%.
The majority of savings have come from the simple changes that people have made in their homes, and also by reducing waste and increasing recycling. Be Birmingham’s Environmental Partnership has been working with the Energy Saving Trust to ensure that people have access to information and advice on ways to cut their carbon, by providing website and telephone support.
Councillor Paul Tilsley, chair of Be Birmingham and deputy leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “This is a fantastic achievement. Congratulations must go out to the people of Birmingham for their efforts to reduce the city’s carbon footprint. Birmingham has again demonstrated that it is leading the way on reducing emissions, working towards a 60% cut by 2026. However, this announcement on World Environment Day also acts as a timely reminder that whilst Birmingham has achieved so much, there is still a long way to go if we are to tackle climate change and secure a clean, green city for the future.”
Councillor Len Gregory, chair of Be Birmingham’s Environmental Partnership and Cabinet Member for Transportation and Street Services said:” One of the biggest savings last year came from a reduction in waste and an increase in recycling. This saved over 15,000 tonnes of CO2. The city’s partners are working together to ensure that we keep up the good work and hit next year’s targets, with a particular focus on reducing business waste.”
The full report detailing the carbon savings is available to download on the Be Birmingham website www.bebirmingham.org.uk
For further information or if you are a business that would like to report your CO2 savings, please contact Keith Budden, Be Birmingham’s Environmental Partnership manager on 0121 464 9169. Email keith.budden@birmingham.gov.uk