All council staff have been encouraged to establish and participate in Green Teams in our main buildings, and nine have been established to-date in Carmarthen, Llanelli and Ammanford.
The teams are cross-departmental and address issues that are specific to that particular building. These can vary from energy use (including energy efficiency measures and use of renewables) and water use, to waste, recycling and transportation.
It is up to the membership of the group to determine what action needs to take place and to implement these changes with support from the corporate energy officer.
The overall goal of the Green Teams is to reduce energy use and the carbon footprint of that building.
To date they have implemented a number of measures, including:
- energy efficiency audits and messages to promote greater efficiency.
- installation of energy efficient light-bulbs in the council’s main buildings;
- installation of power-down devices to reduce energy use;
- installation of 'hippos' (water saving devices) in the toilets;
- increased the number of recycling bins available;
- replacing plastic cups (supplied with water coolers) with glass ones;
- promoting cycling to work schemes.
With the backing of the Chief Executive they have the confidence that their ideas and initiatives will, whenever practical, be supported.
The presence of official Green Teams within our buildings is a clear indicator to all staff of the importance the authority now attaches to the environment and sustainability.
Cumulative savings at the end of 2006/07 (since the commencement of the council’s corporate energy efficiency programme) include:
- energy consumption - 24.6 MWh
- water consumption - 246,059 cubic metres
- financial savings - over £1,368,213
- CO2 emissions - 6,690 tonnes
Electricity consumption at Ty Elwyn, Llanelli, alone has fallen by 8.39% since the introduction of power down devices. This has saved 32,000 kWh which is equivalent to 13.75 tonnes of CO2 or £2500.
For more information contact: Neil Evans, Corporate Energy Officer (01267 224124, email DNEvans@carmarthenshire.gov.uk