East and West Dunbartonshire councils have become the first local authorities in the UK to pass an emissions reduction scheme.

The Carbon Masters Standard, developed by Edinburgh-based Carbon Masters, sets the bar high for cutting greenhouse gas output.

It goes further than any of the seven carbon emissions reduction and certification schemes run by organisations south of the border, all of which are based on levels set by the Carbon Trust.

First Minister Alex Salmond said the scheme would help Scotland reach its carbon reduction targets which are more ambitious than those set for the rest of the UK.

It is aimed at the 2100 UK firms and organisations required to pay a carbon tax of £12 for every tonne of C02 they produce under the Government's Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme.

Under the scheme the biggest firms could pay more than £20m-a-year for the environmental levy.

Kevin Houston, the consultancy's chief executive, said: "We are delighted to recognise East and West Dunbartonshire councils' efforts in achieving the Carbon Masters Standard and demonstrating their commitment to running the organisations in a sustainable manner."