CITY OF YORK Council has launched a major review of its energy use - amid dire warnings about the damage greenhouse gasses will wreak on the planet.

The Guildhall assessment comes after a council motion was passed pledging the authority to a greener future.

Members voted unanimously to back the Liberal Democrat move to draw up a blueprint addressing the causes and effects of climate change to "secure maximum benefit" for the city.

The motion says the council will also pledge to significantly cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions within the authority - particularly on transport, waste disposal and energy use.

The plans are due to be discussed tonight at a meeting organised by a local green lobby group. The York and Ryedale branch of Friends Of The Earth - which organised the meeting for the day before the controversial Kyoto Protocol comes into effect - says greenhouse gas emissions need to be cut drastically to avoid dangerous climate change.

Scientists say they need to be slashed by between 60 and 80 per cent by 2050 or average regional temperatures could rise by up to four degrees centigrade by 2080. Without major energy changes, by 2050 winters could be 20 per cent wetter and summer rainfall could drop by 30 per cent, they warn.

Sea level rises will threaten coastal resorts and experts say there will be an increase in heat stress hospital admissions.

Guy Wallbanks, Friends Of The Earth co-ordinator, said: "Climate change is probably the most serious threat we currently face.

"We can't wait for other people to do something. We have to take action ourselves at local level and some tough decisions will need to be taken."

Unpopular decisions may include cutting car use in York city centre and compulsory waste recycling.

Councillor Andrew Waller, executive member for environment, said the energy review was a step in the right direction.

For the first time, the council has worked out its annual CO2 emission level. A total of 22,000 tonnes came from buildings, including schools, care homes and street lights last year, sustainability officer, Kristina Peat confirmed.

Coun Waller said he was confident York could make a difference and added: "Once we start moving in the right direction it will become more palatable for people to make the change."

Energy efficiency would be a key factor in the design of new council offices, he said, with solar heating one option on the table.

Tonight's Friends of the Earth meeting at the Priory Street Centre starts at 7.30pm. Experts from York council, the Government Office for Yorkshire and the Yorkshire Assembly will speak.

Updated: 11:39 Tuesday, February 15, 2005