Greenhouse gas battle unites cities

Britain's biggest cities have joined forces to cut their greenhouse gas emissions.

The Core Cities Group of Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield have signed up to the programme run by a charity set up by former US President Bill Clinton.

The Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) will see the councils work together and with the Greater London Authority to cut greenhouse gas emissions over the next two years, starting with improving energy efficiency of their buildings.

The scheme was announced at the Core Cities Summit in Liverpool by Cllr John Shipley, leader of Newcastle City Council.

He said: "This gives us the chance to demonstrate our commitment to addressing climate change, show leadership, and show that we are acting together to reduce carbon emissions across all our cities on a big scale."

Ira Magaziner, chairman of the Clinton Climate Initiative, said: "We will provide the cities with technical support and assistance, building on our experience working with other cities around the world that are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

London has already set up the Building Energy Efficiency Programme (BEEP), in partnership with the Clinton Climate Initiative.

The capital has 42 buildings currently being retrofitted under the first stage of the programme and has committed another 58 buildings to follow.

London Mayor Boris Johnson said: "London is leading the world in having developed a simple way for public buildings to go green, helping to shave money off energy bills which is especially pertinent in lean financial times. We are set to save £1million off annual public fuel bills as a result."

The Core Cities group said urban areas alone are responsible for about one third of all carbon emissions in England.