A DRIVE to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in an attempt to fight climate change has taken a step forward.

North Yorkshire County Council has become the first authority in the country to appoint a carbon reduction manager.

Kim Williams will head the council's attempts to cut its carbon dioxide emissions by 15 per cent over the next five years. The authority is also aiming to reduce its energy costs.

In 2003/2004 it paid out just over £4m in electricity bills, of which half related to schools.

Greenhouse gas emissions, mainly carbon dioxide, have been identified as one of the main causes of climate change. Carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere as a result of burning petrol, oil, gas and coal.

As well as appointing Mr Williams, the council is setting up a £500,000 loan fund to pay for several energy-saving measures in its properties.

These include installing more efficient boilers, roof insulation and double glazing and systems where sensors are used to detect empty rooms and switch the lights off.

The cost of creating the loan fund is being shared between Government agency The Carbon Trust, set up to help organisations reduce their emissions, and the council.

Mr Williams said: "Climate change used to be referred to as global warming and many people saw it as something to be welcomed, more warm sunny days to be enjoyed.

"Nothing is further from the truth. Climate change threatens the world through extreme weather, such as storms and heatwaves and different weather patterns, hotter, wetter, and drier than now.

"It is estimated that 35,000 people died in Europe in the heatwaves of 2003 - 2,000 of those in the UK.

"And we are all familiar with the increase in localised flooding in recent years. Climate change is not only a major threat globally, but also locally.

"We cannot stop it but we can slow it down by reducing worldwide carbon dioxide emissions. Organisations and individuals can help.

"There is no escaping the consequences, so we should all do our bit to fight it."

He will be working with people throughout the council and with partner organisations, including The Carbon Trust.