A HAMPSHIRE council has saved millions by going green.

Nearly £3m was saved by Hampshire County Council from more energy efficient buildings and street lights.

Latest figures show the council has cut its carbon emissions by 35.8 per cent compared to 2010 figures, and is on track to reach its 40% savings target by 2025 with the ultimate aim of being carbon neutral by 2050.

The reduction in carbon emissions has saved the local authority around £2.9 million in avoided energy costs with a further £200,000 carbon tax savings a year.

The emission savings achieved are thanks to an innovative programme of carbon reduction projects implemented across the county council’s corporate buildings.

These include 23 solar photovoltaic systems in council owned buildings which are helping to save £45,000 per year.

Executive member for economic development Mel Kendal, pictured, said: “In just six years we have cut our emissions from 54,200 tonnes in 2010 to 34,813 tonnes this year.

"We’re now accelerating towards our 2025 target of cutting our emissions to 32,500 tonnes, which seemed very ambitious a few years ago.

“The considerable reduction in our carbon emissions not only protects the environment, but also enables the county council to make further savings on energy costs and generate income from the national grid through renewable technologies.

“If this progress continues at the same rate, I’ve little doubt we’ll achieve our ambition to make further positive reductions and likely exceed our 2025 target.

"This is great news for Hampshire taxpayers and the environment.”

Other ways to save energy have included a variety of carbon-cutting schemes in hundreds of the county’s schools.

These include maintenance improvements such as re-roofing projects and boiler and lighting replacements in schools and office buildings.

A major programme of street lighting replacement has also helped reductions, by using more energy efficient lamps, reducing burning hours and dimming lights.