Argyll and Bute Council will invest more than £1.2 million in action to save energy and deliver progress in becoming a net zero carbon emissions organisation by 2045.
The steps planned are also expected to deliver financial savings that will cover the cost of the investment in ten years.
The council’s estate and buildings account for over 20% of its overall carbon footprint, through use of electricity, gas, heating oil and water in premises.
At its meeting Thursday 13 May, the Policy and Resources Committee agreed energy-saving actions in eleven premises across Argyll and Bute. The properties were selected because of the opportunities they provide for delivering energy efficiency savings, for example through heating system upgrades.
Overall this work will deliver a significant reduction of 463 tonnes of carbon emissions every year in the council’s carbon footprint.
The council will draw from the national Non Domestic Energy Efficiency Framework (NDEEF) to deliver the work; contractors signed up to this are required to provide energy performance guarantees and sign energy performance contracts.
Councillor Robin Currie, Leader of Argyll and Bute Council said:
“This investment is all about using energy efficiency solutions to help develop climate-friendly ways of working.
This is one initiative in a range of actions that we are taking to progress us towards achieving climate change targets, and supporting a sustainable future.”
New measures are expected to come into force for all local authorities from 2022, which will include setting a specific date for meeting emissions targets and outlining how spending plans align to climate change.
The buildings identified for energy-saving improvements are:
- Manse Brae Roads Office in Lochgilphead
- Lochgilphead Community Education Centre
- Kilmory Castle in Lochgilphead
- Riverside Leisure Centre in Lochgilphead
- Lochgilphead Learning Resource Centre
- Rothesay Leisure Pool
- The Moat Centre in Rothesay
- Kintyre House in Campbeltown
- Graham Williamson IT Centre, Helensburgh
- Arrochar Primary School
- Strachur Primary School