Report praises green success

9:54pm Wednesday 20th August 2008

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A report into making cities greener has highlighted the work of Bradford Council in reducing carbon emissions.

The report, by Westminster’s All Party Urban Development Group, looks at what needs to be done by both the public and private sectors to reduce the energy use of existing non-domestic buildings.

Richard Isaac, who oversees the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme, gave evidence at the inquiry in May about a project to reduce energy use and increase recycling in the Kirkgate Shopping Centre.

The award-winning scheme resulted in an 18 per cent reduction in electricity consumption and a 19 per cent reduction in gas usage.

Mr Isaac said: “Our work with the Kirkgate Shopping Centre shows simple, but effective, methods of saving energy such as switching off lights and increasing recycling can make a huge difference.

“Owners and tenants of buildings do not have to spend a great deal of money installing expensive devices to cut down on carbon emissions.”

The report, entitled Greening UK Cities’ Buildings, looked at barriers to reducing carbon emissions, including the availability of information, the costs of fitting environmental technology into old buildings and the age and location of buildings.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth said: “I am pleased Bradford Council has been chosen as an example of good practice. We have worked hard to take a lead on tackling climate change.”

A spokesman for Centre for Cities, which provides secretarial support for the all-party group, said: “Bradford’s work with the Kirkgate Shopping Centre shows cities can play a key role in facilitating partnerships between property owners, and occupiers.”

The Kirkgate scheme received an award for Environmental Innovation from DEFRA and the Institute of Environmen-tal Management and Assessment in 2007, and was shortlisted for the Environmen-tal Management Award of the Year 2007.

Measures implemented included encouraging the switching off of lights, monitors, heaters, printers and copiers and reprogramming the building management systems, timers and lighting levels.