Norwich City Council is encouraging people to ‘go eco’ on Wednesday 7 May, by supporting Communities and Local Government’s ‘Connect to your council day’.
The day is to remind people that they can easily access information on issues and a range of services, by using the more environmentally friendly method of logging on to the council’s website. Going online for council services - rather than travelling - could nationally help save over 14,000 tonnes of CO2, the equivalent of 5,362 return flights from Heathrow to Malaga each year.
As part of the day Norwich City Council is asking residents to check the environmental impact their own lifestyles have on the environment, by using the link http://actonco2.direct.gov.uk/index.html to determine their carbon footprint on the CO2 calculator.
The calculator helps point out simple lifestyle changes that people can make, which can have a positive effect on the environment as well as saving them money.
For example, turning a thermostat down by one degree could reduce carbon emissions and cut fuel bills by up to 10 per cent. And more care in planning grocery shopping helps cut the £424 of food the average UK household wastes every year, benefiting the environment by reducing methane levels, and lessening harmful environmental impacts from producing, packaging and transporting food.
Cllr Brian Morrey, executive member for environmental impact and transport at Norwich City Council, said: “I am very pleased that the council is supporting this event. It’s really good for residents to see how making such small changes can really help the environment as well as saving them some money on their bills.
“Also, a lot of people don’t realise how many council services they can access online. Taking advantage of this service really saves time. The best part of the internet is that offers an instant service - which is very customer friendly - avoiding the need to wait in line or on the telephone.”
Norwich City Council offers a range of services on its website, from paying your council tax to making a planning application. You can also report environmental crimes such as fly tipping and graffiti, or just contact the council with a general enquiry.
The ‘Connect to your council day’ is part of Communities and Local Government’s Take-Up Campaign, which encourages citizens to put themselves in control by accessing their local authority services online - anytime, anywhere.
You can access the internet free at all Norfolk County Council run libraries in Norwich, make use of the city centre WI-FI zone if you have a laptop, or check out local shops, cafes or pubs near your home - some places now have free internet access, for example the Coach and Horses on Thorpe Road, and the Arts Centre on St Benedicts Street.
A study on potential CO2 efficiencies from online provision of local government services