Wirral Council could require designers to include green technologies and sustainable products in public sector schemes under plans to be discussed on 25 November.

A new best practice guide, which is to go before the cabinet, sets out energy efficiency requirements, such as enhanced lighting and boiler replacements. The proposals will help the council to deliver its target of cutting carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2025, while including links to approved products.

Wirral Council cabinet member for environment Gill Gardiner said: "This guide is an important step towards ensuring that all council building work takes environmental factors into consideration. "The new guide will not only influence the future of council design projects but will also be made available to private developers in the hope that it will encourage them to aim for similar standards."