Local authorities have vital role to play in cutting carbon emissions

Climate change minister Phil Woolas believes that local authorities need to take action to help the UK cut carbon emissions.

He was speaking after government statistics showed that 45 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to industrial, commercial and public sector sources, 27 per cent to the domestic sector and 28 per cent to road transport.

In around half of local authority areas, domestic emissions amount to between 2.4 and 2.7 tonnes per person per year.

"As estate managers, service providers and community leaders, local authorities are at the forefront of the fight to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the UK," Mr Woolas said.

"They have the power to make a huge difference throughout the country and these statistics are an increasingly valuable resource to help them assess how they can cut emissions.

"As well as taking action to reduce emissions themselves, local authorities have a vital role to play in challenging and informing their residents to drive down emissions across the area they serve."

More than 270 local authorities have signed up to the Nottingham Declaration, whereby they pledge to address climate change.