In a bid to promote environmental performance, a local authority in County Down has been granted support from the Energy Saving Trust's One-to-One programme.

Banbridge District Council said the aim of the scheme is to support local councils in developing a strategic approach to sustainable energy across all services and activities.

The council will now focus on tackling climate change and reduce its carbon emissions by developing "clear, robust and achievable carbon reduction targets".

Director of Environmental Services David Lindsay said: "We at Banbridge District Council are whole-heartedly committed to improving our green credentials by introducing more sustainable practices and policies wherever possible throughout our organisation.

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"Through our participation in this Energy Saving Trust programme, we hope to build on the success we have already achieved to date in making our organisation more sustainable in terms of how we deliver our services and manage our facilities."

Noel Williams, Head of Energy Saving Trust in Northern Ireland, said: "All councils in Northern Ireland were invited to apply to participate in the programme in an open application round in May.

"From the applications, five councils have been selected to work with the programme over the next two years, and I am confident that each will be the better for their engagement with us, and their constituents will benefit in equal measure."

As part of the two-year intensive programme, the Council will benefit from free expert consultancy advice with a view to motivating staff and building commitment throughout the organisation to the sustainability agenda.

The first year of the programme will involve developing an action plan and the second year will focus on implementing this plan.

Participating councils can also bid for funding of up to £25,000 to ensure the successful implementation of their plan.

(PR/JM)