Edinburgh City Council is the 100th Council to sign up to 10:10

10.07.00am GMT Fri 11th Dec 2009

The City of Edinburgh Council has became the 100th Council to sign up to the 10:10 campaign to achieve reductions of carbon emissions by ten percent in 2010.

Council Leader Liberal Democrat Councillor Jenny Dawe signed the pledge in the City Chambers and said, "We have focused our attention on developing a realistic and ambitious carbon reduction programme. The 10:10 campaign is a logical progression of this approach and these reductions bring a welcome focus to that work. Carbon reduction and the environment are central to all that we do and 10:10 is a landmark for those of us who share that commitment."

With Edinburgh on board there are now 100 local authorities responsible for services to more than 18m people signed up to the campaign - nearly one third of the UK population.

The 10:10 campaign is targeted at individuals, businesses, workplaces, hospitals, universities and schools. It encourages carbon reductions as close to the 10 percent target as possible with a minimum target of three percent reduction. Councils are asked to set a baseline year up till the end of June 2010 and then submit reports showing reductions over a 12 month period. The campaign focuses on four areas, electricity consumption in buildings, gas consumption in buildings, road transport and air travel, and asks organisations to report reductions in these.

Alexis Rowell, 10:10 Councils Coordinator commented, "Councils like Edinburgh are the unsung heroes of the 10:10 Campaign. When a local authority says it will cut its emissions by 10% in 2010, then it is bound to set a plan and residents can check progress. But councils can also play an important role in spreading the 10:10 message to individuals, organisations and businesses in their area. Aberdeen were the first Scottish council to join the 10:10 Campaign. Edinburgh have just become the 100th UK local authority to sign up. Now we need the rest of Scotland on board and the Scottish Parliament!"

Edinburgh South Liberal Democrat Westminster Spokesperson Fred Mackintosh said, "My colleagues in the Council Administration are focusing hard on making Edinburgh a more sustainable city and is fantastic that Edinburgh as signed up to 10:10. As the UN Climate Change Conference warms up at in Copenhagen we have to remember that there will be tough choices to take if we are to cut greenhouse gas emissions and create a low carbon economy.

"The next parliament is likely to be the last that can stop runaway climate change. The Liberal Democrats are committed to ambitious and detailed plans to cut carbon emissions here at home, putting the UK in a much better position to take a lead abroad. We have clear politics that will make Britain carbon neutral by 2050 and that process has to start now."

Related Links:

Follow this link to find out how Edinburgh City Council intends to meet the 10:10 Pledge.

Find out about the Liberal Democrat's plans to tackle climate change.

Join 10:10.