THE county's Green Party councillors have praised a plan which aims to reduce the county's carbon emissions.

It comes after Herefordshire Council approved the adoption of an updated Carbon Management Plan (CMP) for the 2017-2021 period while aiming for a 40 per cent carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) reduction by 2021.

In a report, the council says it is 'committed to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions' in order to address significant cost-saving opportunities and contribute to its environmental ambitions.

The CMP 2010-2015 delivered an estimated £7.9million in financial savings and cost avoidance, the report states, and it is estimated that approximately £9.5million can be saved during the next period.

In a statement, Councillors Trish Marsh, Felicity Norman and Jenny Bartlett, said: "The Green group are delighted to see this plan adopted.

"The document is clear, engaging and gets its message across with modern, attractive and informative graphics.

"The council are to be commended for their thorough work on cutting down carbon emission from their own operations.

"Herefordshire's achievement in becoming the first council with all LED street lights , slashing costs, emissions and reducing light pollution is one to celebrate.

"We welcome the CMP aim of showing community leadership to encourage other local players to adopt a similarly thorough and persistent approach.

"We hope that this will continue to be funded, along with work on adaptation to climate change. Reducing energy use and increasingly use of renewables saves money and reduces the impacts of climate change."