Local Lib Dem Markus Gehring has successfully forced the Labour-run City Council to adopt a new green strategy, preventing the Council from investing in high energy-emitting buildings.

City Council commercial properties will now be subject to energy efficiency upgrades, while investment will be removed from under-performing properties.

There will also be a Council study on positive investment in a not-for-profit renewable energy provider to address fuel poverty and climate change.

Markus, a passionate climate change campainger, said: “When the Lib Dems ran the Council we put in place tough and decisive measures to reduce our carbon footprint.

“This is a crucially important issue affecting the lives of our residents, particularly those living against a backdrop of fuel poverty.

“Labour don’t seem to be taking the issue of climate change seriously enough.”