Project to cut Fife Council's energy use
A new pilot project which aims to dramatically reduce the energy use in Fife Council buildings has been officially launched.
- By Craig Smith
- Published in the Courier : 29.03.11
- Published online : 29.03.11 @ 04.33pm
With the energy used in the local authority's buildings accounting for around 70% of the council's carbon footprint, those behind the Building Energy Efficiency Pilot initiative have pinpointed four council properties in particular to see if measures implemented there will make a difference.
Staff and visitors at the four buildings will be specifically targeted with carbon reduction in mind, with a range of materials including stickers for windows, doors and radiators; posters, electronic updates; staff briefing notes and other measures being provided at the sites selected to help get the environmentally friendly messages across.
Energy protocols will also be drawn up for members of staff, letting them know exactly what their roles and responsibilities should be.
Aberhill Primary School, Cupar Social Work Office, the Del Farquharson Community Centre, and Glenwood High School have been chosen to participate and should provide a good mix of staff, youngsters and community users throughout the one-year initiative.
Fraser Thomson, head of environmental services, said he hopes the project will bring about carbon emissions savings which can be replicated across the council's portfolio of buildings.
"Best practice illustrates that raising awareness can lead to behaviour change and, as a result, we hope to experience a reduction in overall energy use and associated costs," he said.
"This project will work with participants to increase their awareness of the energy that they use and their habits of using it sensibly.
"This project will encourage and enable participants to take action in areas where they can make savings without cost, contributing to the council's drive for greater efficiency."
Fife Council is committed to reducing overall carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 and is a signatory to Scotland's Climate Change Declaration which commits councils to act in a way that reduces the climate change impact of their activities.
If the pilot is successful, it will act as a template that will be issued to all Fife Council buildings to improve energy usage and awareness.
An evaluation of energy use will take place after the project is completed.
05.40pm - 29.03.2011 Frank - Glenrothes, Scotland Report This
Glad they are doing something. But energy efficient things like replacing strip lights, ancient heating boilers, regular PC replacement (for more eco models), shutting down systems over night (my Voip phone is on 24/7) is where the savings are made. Or a bulldozer to all the old buildings.
08.35am - 30.03.2011 Mark Inch - Markinch, Scotland Report This
Or expecting people to work from their own homes, for which the council will give them a generous three pounds per week. That's one way to cut FC energy costs.
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