A YORK company has pledged to help local businesses cut the emission of 10,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases by using LED lighting systems.

Novalux LED have made the pledge to One Planet York, which is due to hold a big launch event next week, and bosses are confident they will exceed the reduction in pollution while at the same time giving businesses a much-needed boost by reducing energy costs.

One Planet York is a City of York Council initiative to create a sustainable city, which will be launched to local businesses on Wednesday (JUNE 15).

Novalux LED are taking part in the event at the Ron Cooke Hub at the University of York. and will be providing information on how businesses and public services can save money while reducing their carbon footprint.

David Emslie, director of Dunnington-based Novalux LED, said:"The latest LED lighting systems provide a fantastic opportunity for businesses and public services to make a real difference to reducing pollution while cutting lighting costs by up to 90 per cent.

"Such is the scale of energy savings that our LED systems pay for themselves in a relatively short space of time and then continue to produce savings for many years to come.

"We are looking forward to meeting businesses and explaining how we will help them reduce their carbon footprint by replacing inefficient fluorescent lighting with our LED systems.

"Usually reducing pollution results in extra costs for business but in this case it is the total opposite - it is a genuine win-win situation."

One Planet York is an emerging network of organisations working towards a more sustainable, resilient and collaborative future.

The initiative aims to raise awareness about work already under way, foster greater co-operation, raise aspirations and encourage even more people to get involved in its work.

Joining is free and open to any group that signs up. Pledge members will:

* Be part of a city working together

* Feature in the One Planet York online directory and gain increased recognition for your actions

* Gain access to practical advice and toolkits

* Have opportunities to network, share and learn from others

* Be eligible to use the One Planet York logo on their own marketing and publicity

* Receive invitations to future One Planet York events.