West Lothian Council has reduced its carbon footprint by 7% over the past year.

In its West Lothian climate change declaration for 2016/17 to the Scottish Government, the local authority revealed it has cut down on energy and gas kilowatt per hour usage by over 10.5 million in the last two years, while the amount of municipal and commercial waste being sent to landfill has also dropped by more than 6,000 tonnes over the period.

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The declaration also includes details of how the council provides effective governance, leadership and management of climate change. It also outlines the approach to dealing with issues connected to climate change, such as flood prevention, and sustainable procurement.

Council Leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick said projects such as the installation of low energy LED street lights and biomass heating plants, along with increased recycling and food waste composting, has helped the council achieve its reductions.

"However, there is still more that can be done to reduce our environmental impact and we will continue to look at ways to deliver services in more environmentally friendly way," he said.

(LM)