Dumfries and Galloway (D&G) Council are to discuss installing renewable energy and power saving technologies in schools across the region.

The council's energy and carbon policy includes equipping buildings with renewable energy technologies where appropriate. It is proposed the council pays to install and maintain new renewable and energy saving technologies, which will make a significant contribution to reducing CO2 emissions and costs, including Climate Change Levy (CCL) charges.

The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets out stringent targets for reducing greenhouse gases, while the Scottish Government has set reduction targets of 42% by 2020 and 80% by 2050.

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The planned projects aim to reduce costs for the council as well as helping to meet carbon emission reduction targets. New technologies include micro combined heat and power (CHP), LED lighting, biomass, and smart metering.

Cllr Jeff Leaver said: "Providing the best start in life for all our children is a priority for our Council. Our Administration has striven to deliver first class, state-of-the-art education facilities that are appropriate for learning in the 21st century.

"Faced with the obvious effects of climate change and increasing financial pressures, it's essential that we take action to not only reduce our schools' carbon emissions but also our energy costs."

The Children, Young People and Lifelong Learning Committee will meet to debate the proposals on Friday, 03 February.

(LM/CD)