Gloucestershire leads the way in combatting carbon emissions (From Cotswold Journal)

Gloucestershire leads the way in combatting carbon emissions

8:00am Sunday 12th December 2010 in News

GLOUCESTERSHIRE is the first region to become a ‘10:10 County’ as part of an international campaign to reduce carbon emissions.

In September 2009, 10:10 was set up to encourage individuals, businesses, schools and families to cut their carbon output by 10 per cent over a one-year period.

So far more than 110,000 people, 4,000 businesses and hundreds of councils, schools, universities and hospitals have agreed to cut their CO2 emissions with 10:10’s support.

The announcement came at the inaugural 10:10 Awards ceremony, hosted by Gloucestershire County Council to recognise local people who go the extra mile to help the environment.

Harriet Bell, national 10:10 Campaign Coordinator, said: “Gloucestershire is leading the way when it comes to unifying different people doing 10:10.

“With so many businesses and organisations in the area signed up to the campaign there’s an ideal opportunity to share advice and encourage one another in the bid to reduce emissions.

GCC leader Mark Hawthorne said: “I am absolutely delighted that Gloucestershire has become the first 10:10 county, it’s really something we should all be proud of.

“As a council we’re committed to addressing climate change wherever we can, but this is much bigger than us – it’s about everyone in the county doing their bit to cut carbon and we’ll do all we can to support that.”

Gloucestershire First chief executive David Owen said: “The challenge ahead is to continue to grow the Gloucestershire economy and living up to the accolade of the first 10:10 county.”