Praise as Moray Council lowers carbon emissions and energy consumption

MORAY Council has been applauded for its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint as it reveals its lowest energy consumption in the last 11 years.

The council has reported a reduction of almost 10% in 2018/19, compared to the previous year – five times its target of 2%. Despite significant price increases in the year for electricity, gas and oil, at 3.7%, 18% and 12% respectively, thanks to reduced use in its non-domestic properties, the authority has seen its costs drop by more than £27,000 in the same period.

The council has also lowered its carbon emissions by 21% compared to 2017/18 figures, a reduction of 2,697 tonnes.

While the figures reported to this morning’s Policy & Resources Committee don’t include street lighting, the LED replacement programme is already delivering annual savings of almost £400,000 in electricity costs and has lowered the energy consumption by 23% in the last 12 months.

Warmer weather, energy-saving programmes including installing urinal controls and draught-proofing, as well as increased energy awareness, are all noted as being contributory factors to the reduction. During the last year, almost 1,000 pupils and staff received briefings and training on energy awareness.

Chair of Moray Council’s Policy & Resources Committee, Cllr Aaron McLean, welcomed the news.

“For an authority aspiring to become carbon neutral by 2030, it’s reassuring to see that we’re making great progress in lowering our carbon emissions and reducing our energy consumption – meeting this year’s energy reduction target five-fold. I commend the efforts of our energy team, and our pupils and staff for taking steps to become more energy efficient.

“Not only is this better for the environment, it’s reducing our operational costs and is expected to save us £100,000 on our Climate Change Levy.”

Future targets will focus on a reduction in carbon emissions in line with national reporting, the council’s declaration of a climate emergency earlier this year, and its bid to become carbon neutral.

Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live. Nestling between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands, Moray stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Brodie Castle in the west.