Climate Change Group Established
28/05/2009 -
Introducing Sligo Local Authorities Climate Change Working Group
Did you know that leaving a PC monitor on all night wastes enough energy to microwave 6 dinners! In an office with 10 PC monitors left on overnight, enough energy is wasted to run 8 dishwasher loads / 13 washing machine loads! Leaving a 60W bulb on overnight when not needed, consumes enough energy to make 24 cups of tea!
Sligo Local Authorities Climate Change Working Group (CCWG) has been set up to help reduce our carbon footprint and improve our overall environmental performance. We intend to develop a Climate Change Strategy for the Sligo Local Authorities which will help us achieve reductions in greenhouse gas emissions as required under the National Climate Change Strategy. 33% reduction is required across the public sector by 2020 - a challenging target!
The Climate Change Strategy for the Sligo Local Authorities will involve the following:
- Measuring the organizations carbon footprint
- Identifying actions / projects, with specific targets, to reduce our carbon footprint
- Implementing the actions / projects identified
The Working Group has broad representation from across both organisations. We will be targeting areas where we have direct influence i.e. reducing emissions through our own energy use and procurement activities. Our areas of influence cross all sections of the Local Authorities and include: building energy use, housing / building projects, waste management, transport, planning policies, procurement activities, raising awareness and more!
The CCWG wants to find out how we are doing at the moment, particularly in relation to energy usage and efficiency, and where and how we can improve.
By measuring where we are and examining what the habits and practices are at present, we can develop a realistic strategy that will allow us to reduce the amount of energy we use (and waste).
In order to do this and to develop such a strategy, we need ideas, suggestions, observations, support and cooperation from as many people within the organisations as possible.
To help you get involved easily and to make sure that everyone gets their ideas and opinions heard, we’ve set up an email address where you can send any of your thoughts to: climatechange@sligococo.ie
We have begun measuring our carbon footprint beginning with energy use in our buildings. The news is not good! Too much electricity is being used at night when the offices are empty!
The main culprits for excess electricity use in offices are lights, I.T and office equipment. Therefore the message from the CCWG is:
- Turn off all lights in office when not in use
- Turn off computers and monitors at night (Computer monitors use 60% of the total power of the computer)
- Switch off printers, photocopiers, scanners, plotters, fax machines etc. at night
Keep it clean, keep it green,
Don’t forget; turn off your screen….
Turning off your computer at night will save on average 25% of its annual energy bill - €67 per computer per year!
Over the coming months, we’ll be giving tips via email and on the Intranet on how you can save energy at work and at home.