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Council leads the way in bid to cut carbon footprint
A council has become only the second in Hampshire to sign up to a groundbreaking climate change campaign.
Councillors in Havant unanimously agreed to joining the 10:10 campaign, which encourages individuals and organisations to reduce their carbon emissions by 10 per cent in 2010.
The authority will join celebrities such as Colin Firth and Sara Cox and major firms such as the Royal Mail and O2 to sign up.
Councillor David Guest, who is responsible for sustainable development, said: 'We will work hard to reduce our carbon footprint.
'We have already reduced it quite substantially and it may be that we don't reach the 10 per cent but we'll have a good go at it.
'I believe we have to do everything we can to achieve those targets.'
The council is set to publish a sustainability action plan following work with the Energy Savings Trust.
And Councillor Guest, who represents St Faith's ward, has already been making changes to his own home which he hopes will encourage other people.
'By installing a water meter, changing energy suppliers, buying A and AA-rated appliances and using loft and wall insulation I have massively reduced my personal carbon emissions,' he said.
'And I've saved money too simply by doing things like turning down my thermostat.'
Ray Cobbett, Hampshire co-ordinator of Friends of the Earth, said: 'It may be largely symbolic but it's won support across the country and sends a timely signal ahead of the United Nations climate change conference in Copenhagen, in December, that as individuals and organisations we can make a difference.
To find out more about the 10:10 campaign go to 1010uk.org. To find out if you are eligible for a grant for home insulation call 0800 512 012 or go to energysavingtrust.org.uk
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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