A FIVE-year strategy for cutting carbon emissions in Hampshire as part of a battle against climate change has been backed by council chiefs.
The Cabinet has approved plans to cut carbon emissions from county council buildings by 20 per cent by 2015.
But disappointed green campaigners criticised the plan as “unambitious”.
The authority is responsible for an estimated 131,800 tonnes of carbon emissions every year.
Schools are responsible for the biggest slice (58 per cent) of the county council’s carbon footprint.
Alison Craig, a member of Winchester Green Party, urged council leaders to “raise their sights”.
She said: “The target the council is setting itself is very unambitious. In a league table of the targets set by 19 equivalent authorities it is 15th.
“Many other organisations, including Winchester City Council, have higher targets – 20 per cent by 2012.”
Steve Clow, assistant director of property, business and regulatory services, defended the strategy as “ambitious but achievable”.
Under the Climate Change Act 2008, the authority has a legally binding target to slash carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.
The council is aiming to achieve a 35-40 per cent reduction by 2025.
