Local authorities in drive to improve air quality

Nine councils around the UK have been selected to take part in an initiative to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality, it has been announced.

Manchester, Leeds city region, Bristol, Oxford, Northumberland, Haringey, Nottingham, Plymouth and Bournemouth Poole and Dorset MMA have all be chosen to work alongside central government on the project.

The scheme aims to design local carbon frameworks for the councils involved in a bid to cut their CO2 emissions and improve the environment.

It will involve rolling out large-scale home insulation projects, as well as researching and developing renewable energy sources.

Communities secretary John Denham commented that taking the "think global act local" attitude towards climate change can "make the difference on carbon emissions".

He revealed that the government has allotted £3 million to support the initiative and if the pilot schemes prove successful, the model will be applied to other areas of the UK.

Earlier this week, Glasgow City Council announced its intention to become "one of Europe's most sustainable cities", through ambitious plans to introduce a district heating system and the wide-scale use of biogas, among other proposals.

Posted by Claire Manning