Since 2009 Durham County Council has had an active Carbon Management Programme, reporting to and steered by a corporate Programme Board. The Board oversees a major programme of capital investment as well as behavioural and engagement programmes for the council.
Under this programme, 38 buildings have already had solar cells installed, with more installations happening now. Whole building energy retrofits have been undertaken on all our major offices, leisure centres, and depots. A staff engagement programme, entitled Climate Champions, engages with 140 staff members representing all council departments to ensure that the low carbon and environment message is disseminated throughout the authority.
The Carbon Management Programme has led to a hydro turbine on the River Wear in central Durham City and biomass boilers in multiple buildings. A solar farm is currently being installed to power the data center, which is the largest energy user and a £20 million lighting scheme is replacing street lights with LEDs across the county, alongside a programme of dimming and lamp removals. The programme is also developing a series of multi-million pound ERDF project bids and is leading delivery of Innovate UK and other externally funded programmes.
Please note – this was published when Labour controlled Durham County Council between 2009-2021.
