A CARPOOL scheme – designed to reduce the council’s carbon footprint – has contributed to a reduction of almost 900,000 miles driven per year by staff on business.

The scheme, which is open to all employees, has helped the council cut its carbon emissions significantly since being established in 2016.

Whilst the overarching commitment is to reduce the need to travel, through the use of alternatives such as digital and other technology, the carpool scheme allows staff from a range of locations to book low emission and electric cars for essential travel to meetings and share journeys wherever possible.

It is just one of a number of initiatives that has helped the council reduce emissions.

Councillor Jim Montgomerie, cabinet member for place, said: “Our officers deserve great credit for showing real innovation and initiative to develop these projects. They are clearly making a significant difference and providing us with a real platform to build on as we move forward with our plans to help with this global issue.”

The current carbon reduction figures have seen a 39.9 per cent reduction across the council’s estate and a 44.6 per cent reduction North Ayrshire wide. The area wide emissions include those from industrial and commercial, domestic, and transport sectors.

Other successful initiatives introduced in recent years include: Installing first low carbon heat networks fuelled by biomass boilers, installing solar PV panels on roofs of council houses and investing nearly £1m in energy efficiency measures.