Minnows lead majors to greener future

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-03-17T010801Z_01_L09192575_RTRUKOC_0_UK-ENVIRONMENT-CITIES.xml&archived=False

WOKING (Reuters) - In the war on global warming, the town of Woking is tilting at the establishment, but unlike Don Quixote, it is using windmills instead of charging at them.

The town of 90,000 has slashed emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from civic buildings by 77 percent and its success is proving a model for giants like nearby London and other cities from Australia and Canada.

"We see ourselves as a pathfinder for others," said Mick Company, Woking's climate change project manager. "We are very proud of our successes. Our long-term strategy is to spread what we are doing here to the world."

Woking's main Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant provides heating, lighting and cooling to the main carpark, the town hall, a local hotel, a conference centre and an amusement arcade. It will soon power an art gallery and museum as well.

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