A QUEST to make York more environmentally-friendly could see hundreds of street lights replaced as council chiefs sign up to a national emission-reducing scheme.

City of York Council has joined the UK-wide 10:10 campaign, which aims to encourage businesses, education establishments and other organisations to cut their CO2 emissions over the next year.

This will mean the authority reducing its carbon dioxide output by about 1,220 tonnes between April this year and March 2011, excluding the emissions produced by schools and outsourced services.

Proposed projects for reaching this target include replacing 1,300 mercury vapour lights with modern alternatives, installing 50 lights with lower wattage bulbs, using solar panels to power 50 bollards and signs and substituting sodium lights with fluorescent lanterns.

The council also plans to drive home the 10:10 message to staff by encouraging them to turn down heating levels and switching off computers when not in use. Other initiatives include the use of a biomass boiler to power the new Energise swimming pool at the former Oaklands Sports Centre and supporting residents and businesses to produce less CO2.

The ultimate plan is for the council’s emission levels to be reduced by a quarter by 2013, and for York as a whole to show a 40 per cent drop in CO2 by 2020.