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Â鶹ÊÓƵ's ambition to become carbon neutral by 2030 is on track with millions being spent on carbon reduction schemes across the borough.

The Council secured £8m from Government to fund 26 decarbonisation schemes across the borough undertaking a range of energy improvement and de-carbonisation measures across various Council buildings including schools, leisure facilities and civic buildings.

Work at Primrose Children's Centre is the latest to near completion. The Centre, which is adjoined to Primrose Community Centre and Valley View School, has had a carbon intensive gas water heater stripped and replaced with a type powered by solar panels fitted to the roof the centre.

It is expected that the solar panels shall supply the electrical requirements of the building and save 3.2 tonnes of CO² per year.

In addition, the Council are fitting an electric vehicle charging point on site - taking the total number of points in the borough to 55.

Cllr Ernest Gibson, Lead Member for Area Management and Community Safety, with responsibility for Climate Change said: "We are determined to become carbon neutral as an organisation and are using every opportunity available to us to meet our ambitious target.

"Since launching the Sustainable South Tyneside Strategy last year, we've already made great strides in reducing the Council's overall carbon footprint. We pledged to cut our emissions by 4,285 tonnes by March 2023 and are already two thirds of the way towards achieving that figure.

"Decarbonisation schemes are taking place right across the Borough. We're delivering renewable energy projects that have attracted funding due to their highly innovative approach."

The council was awarded £8m by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) for energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation projects within public sector non-domestic buildings in March 2021. The £8m covers 100% of the costs with no match funding needed from the council.

Key measures being implemented include:

·         Energy efficient heat pumps to replace gas fired boilers

·         Conversion of existing lighting to LED

·         Roof mounted solar PV panels

·         Building fabric improvements

A large amount of the funding has been used for enabling works as part of a future South Shields District Heating System (similar to that currently being developed in both Jarrow and Hebburn)

Â鶹ÊÓƵ's commitment toward climate change is strong and focused; implementing strategies that bring about real change, significantly reducing the amount of carbon being emitted whilst increasing its renewable capabilities moving to a cleaner, greener resource for energy supplies.

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