It may be dubbed 'Eco Island', but figures show the local authority's carbon footprint has actually increased over the past three years.

It may be dubbed 'Eco Island', but figures show the local authority's carbon footprint has actually increased over the past three years.

Total carbon emissions from the Isle of Wight Council's buildings, transport and streetlights have stayed the same since 2007, whilst CO2 from waste has increased significantly.

That's despite the council setting itself a target of cutting emissions by four per cent a year.

Council Leader David Pugh has told Isle of Wight Radio that part of the problem is delays to the new gasification plant, which will burn waste and turn it into energy. Waste has been stockpiled as the council waits for the plant to become operational, which has meant they have exceeded their own targets.

Meanwhile, the council says it has employed an energy officer to look at how emissions can be cut further. Initiatives including building insulation, replacement of oil-fired boilers and renewable energy systems have been carried out in the council's buildings. In the long term, the council is looking at reducing its property portfolio to help improve its carbon footprint.

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