Glasgow tackling carbon footprint

A transport organisation is tackling climate change by trying to reduce Glasgow's carbon footprint.

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) is joining forces with the police, fire and health services to help cut carbon emissions in Scotland's biggest city.

The Climate Change Partnership for Glasgow is the only such union in Scotland to commit its members to specific carbon reduction targets.

The partners have promised to cut their combined CO2 emissions by more than 32,000 tonnes.

The benefit to the environment will be the same as creating an additional 160,000 mature trees or taking 1,620 cars off the streets.

The partners involved in the initiative are NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Strathclyde Police, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, Glasgow Housing Association, Culture and Sport Glasgow, Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector and Jobcentre Plus.

Together they produce over 226,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year.

Under the new partnership all will use innovative energy-saving projects to cut their carbon footprint by 6,500 tonnes every year.

They will do this through initiatives such as solar water heating, using biomass heating system and car sharing or using public transport more often.

Members will benefit from support and expertise within the partnership, along with the opportunity to share in any future funding secured by the group.

SPT chair Alistair Watson said in a statement: "We are working hard to improve our environmental performance and reduce the environmental impact of day-to-day operations.

"We are encouraging transport operators in our patch to adopt a greener approach too.

"Everyone has a responsibility to look after the environment and look after our fair green city in the process. "

James Coleman, chairman of the Glasgow Community Planning Partnership, said: "Most people accept that climate change is a threat to the planet and our communities, but it can be difficult for them to see where they fit in.

"By making this commitment to reduce emissions, our members can help to bring home the realities of environmental damage to every section of the community - and encourage them to play a part in securing a more sustainable, safer future for Glasgow."