FOLLOWING the UN Climate Conference in Paris, Hampshire County Council has announced it’s playing its part to reduce carbon emissions and delivering savings of almost £3m.

Councillor Mel Kendal, the County Council’s Executive Member for Income and Capital Receipts has highlighted how Hampshire has exceeded its own ambitious target of reducing carbon emissions by 20 per cent – cutting CO2 emissions by more than 30,000 tonnes over five years.

This has has meant the council has avoided having to pay out around £2.7m in energy costs over the past five years.

A further £275,000 of carbon tax savings have been achieved in this year alone.

Councillor Kendal said: “Exceeding this challenging target, set five years ago, is a considerable achievement and demonstrates the council’s strong commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. The intention is that by 2025, a further 40 per cent reduction in carbon emissions can be achieved – not only protecting the environment, but also enabling the Council to make further savings on energy costs and generate income from the national grid through the use of renewable technologies. By 2050, our ambition is to be carbon neutral.”