The shortlist for the 2008 Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy has been announced, and Arun District Council is a finalist thanks to it's work to improve energy efficiency and cut carbon emissions.

The awards promote the use of sustainable energy, and the economic and social benefits it can bring to the local community. The work the Council has done to address energy efficiency, both through policy and by promoting initiatives in the local community, makes it eligible for the Local Authority award.

Roger Wood, Deputy Head of Environmental Health, along with Councillor Paul Dendle, Cabinet Member for Central Services and Services Director Colin Rogers, will attend an interview with the Awards Judging Panel on 11 June in London, with the winners announced at a ceremony on 19 June at the Royal Geographical Society.

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It is estimated that the Council's work across the District has saved a grand total of over 53,000 tonnes of carbon, without including the other potential savings from insulation schemes and behavioural change that the Council has influenced in the course of it's work.

Mr Dendle said: "The awards are a chance for us to take a step back and look at everything we have done to try and reduce the environmental footprint of the Council, and promote sustainability and efficiency to local residents and businesses.

"It is a real achievement to be one of the finalists and we eagerly await the final decision of the judges, knowing that our work is being recognised as some of the best in the country."

(CD/JM)