A new Bradford Council team is to take the lead on environmental strategies and reducing the authority’s carbon dioxide emissions.

The environment and climate change unit has been created after a commitment was made in this year’s budget of £300,000 a year to run the service.

The post of manager for the unit has been advertised.

The unit’s responsibilities will include improving environmental sustainability, co-ordinating a reduction in the use of natural resources and increasing efficiency.

One issue highlighted in a report due to be presented to today's environment and waste management improvement committee meeting is the high level of carbon emissions from schools.

The report states: “The organisational structure of the environment and climate change unit includes two posts of ‘carbon reduction officers’ and support staff specifically with a view to monitoring school emissions and supporting schools to deliver interventions and ongoing reductions.

“Actions to persuade schools to collectively support these posts financially are ongoing through the School Forum.”

The Council will have to take part in the national Carbon Reduction Commitment ‘cap and trade’ scheme from April, which will hold it responsible for its carbon dioxide emissions.

In 2007 the Council pledged to reduce its carbon emissions by 20 per cent by 2010/2011 and a programme was introduced including improving housekeeping in all of its buildings and including raising awareness with staff to switch off equipment, recycle and reduce energy use; installing timer switches; investigating the use of wind turbines at Bradford Central Library, Wibsey depot and Richard Dunn Sports Centre; and replacing steam boilers at City Hall and Ilkley Town Hall with high-efficiency gas boilers and biomass boilers fuelled by woodchips.

The meeting takes place today at 5.45pm at City Hall, Bradford.

e-mail: jo.winrow@telegraphandargus.co.uk