WINCHESTER civic chiefs are set to miss an ambitious green target.

The city council had wanted to cut its carbon emissions by 30 per cent between 2004 and the end of 2015 and nurture the green economy.

New council leader Rob Humby told Cabinet the target would not be met but that the council was aiming to create 400 ‘green’ jobs.

It was unclear how far short of the target the council would be. A spokesman later said the latest figures were for 2011 and the council should have been at 80 per cent of the 2004 starting point when in fact it was at around 87 per cent.

Winchester Action on Climate Change has launched a debate on how Winchester could best meet its green targets up to 2020.

WinACC held a public meeting yesterday entitled ‘The World in Our Hands’.

Speakers explained the national and European targets for greenhouse gas and renewable energy, and their implications for local residents.

The group has suggestions about how to cut 25,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year from 2016 to 2020 in the city, and wanted to hear residents’ opinions.

For more information go to winacc.org.uk.