Treading carefully over carbon footprint

06 September 2007

Smart plugs and eco-friendly power sources are helping a Norfolk council cut its carbon footprint.

But, as well as putting its own house in order, North Norfolk District Council is urging local businesses, schools and householders to follow its lead.

A new electricity contract, meaning the council's Cromer headquarters will get clean power from a green source, such a wind, solar or hydro power, will wipe 251 tonnes of CO2 from the its emissions and save £13,500. The council hopes to be totally carbon neutral on the electricity front by next year if the remaining 28pc of its power - to its district offices at North Walsham and Fakenham, promenade lighting, chalets, tourist offices, toilets and the pier - can also be switched to the same kind of deal.

It is also doubling the number of Intelli-panel smart plugs, which turn off peripherals such as monitors when a worker switches off their computer each day. Two hundred of the gadgets have already saved £1,000 and 3pc of power use. Other council projects include looking at providing solar-powered street lighting at the North Walsham Victory Leisure Centre and on Sheringham promenade, along with installation of solar panels and a wind turbine at council offices.

Seven hundred members, including local businesses, have signed up for a district-wide carbon reduction project following liaison with the UEA-based CRed scheme, while much of the green policy groundwork has been done by UEA environmental science student Simon Lingard who leaves the council this week after a year's work placement to do his final degree year.

“As a community leader we need to do this, and while the bigger projects are good it is also the small things that make a difference” he said.

The council was also encouraging local schools to install Intelli-pads on their computers, which could make a big difference to North Norfolk's carbon footprint.

An update will be made to the council cabinet on Monday, along with recommendations such as buying another 200 Intelli-panels, and replacing gas boilers with green electricity.