Carbon Management Plan
2010-2015
In March 2009, Newham Council was
selected, amidst strong competition, to take part in an ambitious
programme with a company called The Carbon Trust.
With the support of the
Carbon
Trust, we have written our
Carbon Management Plan 2010 to 2015. This
sets out how we will reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from
council operations such as buildings, schools, vehicle fleet and
lighting. This Plan will run alongside our Sustainability
Strategy which sets our ambitions to be a low carbon
organisation and embed sustainability at the core of the
organisation.
Newham aims to reduce our carbon emissions using a combination of
short to medium term projects and investment in long term measures.
These include:
Fuel Efficient Pool Cars
To demonstrate a
commitment to sustainability and the environment, the Council
operates a fleet of fuel efficient pool vehicles. These Hybrid
Drive Pool Cars reduce the like for like Carbon Foot Print with the
cars they replaced by 40%.
Sustainable Schools Network
Newham's Learning and Schools Service promote
sustainability/recycling in schools through regular workshops,
school theatre and interactive sessions to encourage pupils to
adopt more sustainable approaches in their lives.
Cycle to Work Scheme
Newham have recently agreed a Cycle to Work scheme, this will
encourage employees to swap driving for bicycles and use lower
carbon emissions in their every day travelling.
Building Schools for the Future Programme
We are currently investing in educational transformation and
21st century facilities through the Primary Capital
Programme and Building Schools for the Future programmes. These
programmes are committed to increasing sustainable IT facilitates
and making the most of sustainable features to help protect the
environment and reduce overheads.
Our move to Newham Dockside
This move has also allowed us to make substantial carbon footprint
savings provided by a more energy efficient building - by
developing one accessible back office location and retaining and
enhancing Local Service Centres, we substantially reduced the total
amount of existing office space needed. We are currently undergoing
a Green ICT Development programme, which will further reduce the
carbon emissions from our operations.
Green Travel Plan
A park and ride scheme is now in place for our staff based at
Newham Dockside, thus helping to achieve a greener approach to
driving to work, cut congestion and reduce carbon emissions.
However, we recognise there are plenty of opportunities for our
staff to reduce the C02 from their every day travelling and our
Green Travel Plan will identify the ways this can be done.
We will carry out a review of our Carbon Management Plan each year,
as our baseline changes and we develop further carbon reduction
projects.