The authority reduced its emissions by 1,275 tonnes of carbon dioxide in the year ending March 2013 and expects to make savings of £825,000 a year by 2017 as further measures are put in place.

The borough’s carbon management plan examined where CO2 emissions are produced and looked at ways in which reductions could be made.

As a result, the council agreed to upgrade mechanical and electrical systems in the council’s nine largest buildings, which included overhauls of systems such as heating, lighting and air conditioning.

These upgrades have brought about savings in the Civic Office, Gibson Road car park, the Secombe and Charles Cryer theatres and the authority’s Denmark Road and Therapia Lane buildings.

Cllr Jill Whitehead, Chair of Sutton Council’s Environment and Neighbourhoods Committee, said: “Sutton is absolutely committed to the twin aims of getting the very best value for money for taxpayers and protecting the environment.

“Our programme of improvements to buildings and street lights is helping us to achieve both goals.”

Officers are currently conducting a review of the buildings owned and used by the council with a view to streamlining the operation – a process which is also expected to bring about further reductions in CO2 emissions.

The council is also in the process of upgrading old lighting controls in 2,000 lighting columns and installing LED lighting in 8,000 lighting columns which will also improve energy efficiency and cut emissions.

Leigh Stringer

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