Climate change is the greatest environmental threat we face today. Scientists predict that global temperatures will increase, sea levels will rise, and droughts, floods and storms will become more frequent and severe. Westminster City Council has pledged to reduce its carbon footprint which has been calculated at 32,123 tonnes a year.

To mark our commitment the council has signed up to the Nottingham Declaration, which sets out actions to address climate change and mobilise action in local communities. Westminster has also worked in partnership with the Carbon Trust to detail a plan to reduce the council’s carbon emissions from its buildings by 20% by 2020. This will include increasing carbon awareness among council staff, partners, and contractors. This initial commitment will be followed by other, still more ambitious carbon reduction plans for the Council’s operations, beginning with waste management.

Some of the initial projects to reduce energy consumption are already bearing fruit. Implementation of recommendations from an energy audit of Westminster City Hall has saved the Council over £40,000 in energy bills.