HDC backs energy-saving campaign

HUNTINGDONSHIRE District Council is set to sign up to the 10:10 climate change campaign, agreeing to play its part in reducing the UK s carbon dioxide emissions by 10 per cent in 2010. The campaign, which was launched in September is aimed at individuals,

HUNTINGDONSHIRE District Council is set to sign up to the 10:10 climate change campaign, agreeing to play its part in reducing the UK's carbon dioxide emissions by 10 per cent in 2010.

The campaign, which was launched in September is aimed at individuals, businesses, schools, community groups and local authorities. It is backed by the Energy Saving Trust and The Guardian newspaper.

Councillor Jonathan Gray, a HDC cabinet member, said a staggering 59 per cent of the population deny that climate change is a problem in spite of all the evidence, according to poll results announced last week.

Part of the council's effort will be its six-figure green house retro-fit project, which is expected to be open to the public in the spring. The council has bought two typical homes - one in Eynesbury, the other in St Ives - and is fitting them with energy-saving devices.

When they open, residents will be able to judge the effectiveness of the equipment and decide what they can afford to do in their own homes to cut their heating and lighting bills.

The council's director of environment and community services, Malcolm Sharp, said that, once it had signed up to the scheme, HDC's performance would be independently monitored by external assessors.