Manchester City Council is set to become the largest UK local authority to pledge to cut its carbon emissions by a tenth over the next year.

The City Council is signing up to the national 10:10 project, which encourages individuals, businesses and organisations to reduce their emissions by 10 per cent during the year 2010.

The project, backed by groups such as the Carbon Trust, aims to put pressure on governments ahead of December’s UN climate talks in Copenhagen. While politicians have argued for 2030 as a target date, scientists say this is too late and world emissions need to drop in the next few years.

The pledge has so far been signed by organisations including the Royal Mail, as well as by individuals, but the City Council is hoping that by signing up to the project, other groups across Manchester will be encouraged to follow.

The City Council aims to make the reduction by introducing measures including making its buildings more efficient, improving the efficiency of its operational vehicles and installing devices throughout its offices and depots, regulating the amount of electricity that is used so that none is wasted.

Councillor Richard Leese, Manchester City Council’s leader, said: ”The plan we are currently preparing for the city will demand determined action by everyone in Manchester to be able to tackle climate change over the next decade.

“This 10:10 campaign is a great opportunity for the City Council to accelerate progress by looking at short-term targets for our own operations.

“Cutting our emissions by 10 per cent in one year is a bold target, but we are confident we can achieve this, sending a clear message to other organisations large and small that it is possible to make substantial reductions.

“ We hope our move will encourage businesses and residents in Manchester and beyond to follow our lead.”


Notes to editors:

The City Council is set to make the move after publishing its Climate Change Call To Action earlier this year, outlining a number of ways it could work with businesses and residents to reduce Manchester’s carbon emissions.

Ideas proposed in the action plan have now been developed, and in November, the City Council will set out its 10-year plan for making long-term cuts to Manchester’s carbon emissions.

Last year’s Mini-Stern report, commissioned by Greater Manchester authorities, warned that ignoring the threat of climate change could cost the region up to £21 billion.