Bath and North East Council has won a national seal of approval from the Government for its efforts in reducing its carbon footprint.

The accolade was given by David Kidney, the Parliamentary Undersecretary of State at the Department on Energy and Climate Change, at a national conference hosted by the Carbon Trust.

He presented the council with a certificate recognising the its extensive plans to help achieve its aim of reducing carbon emissions by 30 per cent over the next five years.

Earlier this year the council developed a Carbon Management Plan with a £42,000 budget to put the first batch of projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions in place.

The council has already made a positive start using the latest voltage optimisation technology to reduce energy consumption in some of their buildings.

Key projects for the current financial year include an energy champion scheme, helping council staff to save energy at work and home and saving up to five per cent of carbon emissions annually.

There has been an efficient driver scheme helping key staff to reduce fuel consumption in council vehicles.

Heating is being managed as efficiently as possible by using boiler sequence control, fine tuning and heating control at 25 council sites.

School site boiler sequence control ensures fine tuning, and heating control is managed as efficiently as possible.

Another key project is to insulate pitched roofs at schools with 50 site so far appraised, increasing insulation and keeping heat where it is needed.

Many more projects have been identified and will be brought in over five years to meet the reduction aim.

Cabinet member with responsibility for climate change, Cllr Charles Gerrish said there was real momentum building up behind the efforts to reduce carbon footprint.

"The council is building the foundations upon which it can play a full and active part in a leadership role to reduce carbon emissions across the district."

"The council's creation of the proposed Environmental Sustainability Partnership broadens our approach to engage with the wider community."