Carbon emissions in West Suffolk are 55% higher than the national average, a new report has warned.
The latest energy framework published for last week’s joint West Suffolk cabinet compiled government data on a host of environmental issues such as energy usage, electricity figures, green power and light bulb use.
The report said that carbon emissions have dropped by 18% since 2010 compared to the 20% reduction nationwide, while carbon emissions per head are 55% higher than the national average.
The joint cabinet adopted the new framework, which council bosses have said will help reduce the area’s environmental impact.
A joint statement from cabinet members for planning and growth Alaric Pugh (St Edmundsbury) and Lance Stanbury (Forest Heath) said: “We have made economic growth a priority and the West Suffolk Energy Framework, as part of our wider growth investment strategy sets out how we are driving change in energy use.
“Energy is an expensive resource, both for our businesses and households, and in terms of wider environmental impact.
“The framework shows how our councils support and invest in energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and build more energy resilience for our businesses and communities.”
Among the areas being assessed are the extent to which homes can afford fuel, the influence an aging population has on energy use, renewable energy options in the county and the costs of heating, power and transport.
New homes are set to be built to low carbon emission standards, while more charging points for electric vehicles are to be introduced.
A new scheme called Solar Together Suffolk will also be rolled out to help those who can afford to pay for solar upgrades to find the best suppliers possible.
The councils said they plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 35% within the next seven years, and 75% by 2050.
The statement added: “The reason for higher proportion of emissions per capita is principally because we host some large industries which consume more power, but also in one case, operates its own mini-power plant generating a lot of heat and power using gas.
“This is more efficient than importing from the national grid. The national figures ignore this fact when they calculate CO2 emissions per person.”
The two councils are among more than a dozen organisations which have joined up across East Anglia as part of the Local Energy East Strategy.
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