AUTHORITY SETS GREEN AGENDA FOR POLICE

Cheshire Police Authority has agreed an environmental management strategy for Cheshire Constabulary. Bob Hodson, Chairman of the Authority's Service Improvement Panel said, "We recognise that climate change is happening and action needs to be taken now in order to make a difference for the future. By introducing a five year carbon management plan and investing in energy saving projects now, the organisation will not only make financial savings but, more importantly, will contribute to a low carbon economy and climate change."

In 2008, the Authority carried out a review of the Constabulary's impact on the environment which outlined what was needed to reduce energy consumption.

In order to reduce its carbon footprint the Constabulary has recently been accepted as one of 68 organisations to participate in the Local Authority Carbon Management Programme, which is supported by the Carbon Trust.

Data reveals that the Constabulary's carbon emissions are in the region of 9779 tonnes of CO2 per year. The Authority has set a target for the Constabulary to reduce this by 32% (3128 tonnes) in 5 years.

Bob Hodson added "as the Authority sets and manages the police budget we are aware of rising fuel costs and our impact on the environment, it is important that everyone thinks about their energy consumption whilst at work as well as at home. The police have already started work on this in area such as automatic computer switch off, changing to lower emission police cars and improved heating and lighting. The Authority will be monitoring progress against this new target."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The Carbon Trust is an independent company set up in 2001 by Government in response to the threat of climate change, to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy by working with organisations to reduce carbon emissions and develop commercial low carbon technologies. The programme will see participants collectively cut their carbon footprints by 395,000 tonnes and energy costs by £60 million per year.

The Government has placed an emphasis on local authorities setting a leading example on climate change. Action by local authorities and police authorities will be critical to the achievement of the Government's climate change objectives, such as the long term goal to reduce CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050 in the draft Climate Change Bill.