The BURY Council has received a £ 8.5 million grant to reduce carbon emissions in its buildings and take the lead for the rest of the district.
16 community buildings are being upgraded, including double vision, insulation measures, air heat pumps, solar panels and LED lighting. This translates into a total annual energy saving of £ 265,160 and a reduction in annual carbon emissions of 1,033 tonnes.
Local government officials say it is important that they set an example for the rest of the county as Bury aims to be carbon neutral by 2038.
Cllr Alan Quinn, Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, said, “We must gradually change the way our communities live to achieve this goal. We will all need in Bury to move from fossil gas heating to renewable heat pumps and to improve house insulation.
“We also need to move from gasoline and diesel cars on foot and by bike, to public transport and to electric vehicles. This is a major challenge, but one that we must face in order to protect the health and well-being of our communities.
“To make this change, the council needs to put all individuals and organizations in the community in charge of reducing emissions. We are currently working on our climate protection strategy, which is being developed together with the community to show how we will achieve our goal for 2038.
“The Council must also lead by example by decarbonising our own buildings, which must include investing in low-carbon measures such as heat pumps and solar energy.”
Of the council buildings, schools are responsible for 43% of CO2 emissions, while 31% come from corporate buildings. Street lights and community vehicles each make up 10%.
Over the past 10 years, the local council has taken a number of measures to reduce CO2 emissions in its buildings, including improved insulation, voltage optimization, double glazing, new energy-saving lighting and controls, solar hot water and condensing boilers.
Across Bury, transport accounts for 45% of emissions, 34% inland and 21% in industry / commerce.
Cllr Quinn added, “The broader goal of a climate neutral district by 2038 is an immense challenge, but it offers great opportunities to improve our health, economy and the environment. Hopefully, by working with and bringing our communities with us, we will achieve the level of change we need to protect our future. ”
The grant comes from the government’s public sector decarbonization program which will receive Greater Manchester £ 78 million.
The community buildings to be decarbonized are: Bury Business Center, Bury Cemetery Chapel, Bury Cemetery Facilities, Bury Fish and Meat Market, Manchester Road Park Lodge, New Kershaw Center, Radcliffe Market Chambers, Ramsbottom Civic Hall, Ramsbottom Library, Ramsbottom Pool and Fitness Center, Bury Market, Bury Adult Leaning Center, Bury Town Hall, Bury Museum and Library, The Met and Castle Leisure Center.