Energy saving measures for council buildings ‘saving £1 million a year’

Dorset Council’s efforts to retrofit its buildings with energy-saving measures are contributing to its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2040, according to a recent report.

Carbon emissions from council-owned buildings have decreased by over 20 per cent in a year due to a major retrofit program funded by the government. Measures such as heat pumps, solar panels and low-energy lighting were installed in over 200 council owned buildings, including schools, libraries and leisure centres. Combined, this work has ‘drastically’ cut energy use and costs for the council and its partners, with an estimated saving of over £1million a year.

The report also indicates that the council has reduced its overall carbon footprint by 27% since declaring a climate and ecological emergency in 2019. However, it notes that efforts need to be intensified in areas like travel, and post-pandemic behaviors need to be sustained to achieve the 2040 carbon neutrality target. The report also highlights the significant challenge of making Dorset a carbon-neutral county by 2050 and the council’s crucial role in facilitating this transition.

Cllr Ray Bryan, Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for highways, travel and environment, said:

“It is really encouraging to see that the council has continued to reduce carbon emissions and avoided a bounce back to pre-pandemic levels. But if we are to remain on track, it is critical that we maintain and strengthen efforts to drive down emissions both within the council and across the wider county.

“This recent report clearly shows that taking steps now to cut emissions is not only the right thing to do for our planet, but also makes good financial sense. I strongly urge residents who haven’t already done so to contact our Healthy Homes Dorset programme to see what support is available to help them take similar steps in their homes.”

The council’s Natural Environment, Climate and Ecology Progress Report can be read in full here.