A further 25 organisations in Scotland graduated from the Carbon Trust's Carbon Management Programme on 27 May, receiving a certificate from Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change.

The official ceremony held at the Caledonian Hilton Hotel, Edinburgh, marked the completion of the sixth phase of the programme.

Scottish Government estates is one of the organisations to graduate, a cohort which includes local authorities, health boards and Universities such as the University of Glasgow, NHS Fife and North Lanarkshire Council.

The programme, which began in 2003, has already seen 25 public sector organisations graduate over the course of five years. So far these organisations have reduced their carbon dioxide emissions by over 100,000 tonnes, with associated energy bill savings in excess of £6 million.

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In addition, the Carbon Trust is welcoming a further 11 organisations to the programme, including NHS Dumfries & Galloway, The University of Edinburgh and Strathclyde Police, who will all commence the seventh phase of the programme this year.

The Carbon Management programme is designed to help organisations develop a targeted framework to deliver carbon reduction practices by establishing their current baseline emissions, assessing the risks and opportunities posed by climate change, and developing a robust strategy to reduce carbon footprints over a five to ten year period.

Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change, said: "This Government is determined to play a leading role in global efforts to reduce emissions. As part of our drive to create a Greener Scotland, we must lead by example and put our own house in order. That is why we are putting in place this Carbon Management Programme which includes specific measures to help cut our emissions. "The Carbon Management Programme will ensure the Scottish Government and other public bodies are moving in the same direction – towards a sustainable future for Scotland."

The Carbon Management Programme is designed to deliver improved energy management of buildings, vehicle fleets, street lighting and landfill sites. The programme is supported by a bespoke toolkit - a web based manual that gives detailed guidance on the programme's process and technical advice. It also facilitates the sharing of best practice between participants, enabling them to learn from each other’s experience, thereby optimising results.

(GK/JM)