Scottish Borders Council

Agenda item

Climate Action - Playing #OurPart

Presentation.

Minutes:

4.1       The second presentation, from Mr Aikman, expanded some of the key messages of the previous presentation with the particular aim of preparing the Council for a step change in its approach to climate action.  After referring to statements on the evidence of a climate emergency Mr Aikman highlighted that in Scotland 20 Councils had declared a climate emergency, including all Scottish Borders Council’s partner councils in the City of Edinburgh and South-East Region, in Borderlands (including Carlisle City, Cumbria and Northumberland County Councils) and in the South of Scotland.  Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019 set a legally-binding ‘net zero’ target of all greenhouse gases by 2045 with interim targets for reductions of at least 56% by 2020, 75% by 2030 and 90% by 2040.  As well as legal duties, Councils had a vital role in responding to the climate emergency: in terms of their scale and large resource base; influence over key areas such as planning, transport and procurement; and in a leadership role.  Scottish Borders Council had made progress in a number of areas such as LED street lighting roll out; Energy Efficiency Programme; fleet transition to low emission vehicles; and council mileage reduction and efficient pool car fleet.  In terms of next steps, Mr Aikman highlighted that the SDG now needed to develop a clear target and coherent plan for climate action and put in place effective performance monitoring. The time was also appropriate for a report to Council to propose the way forward. 

           

4.2       In the ensuing discussion the question was asked as to whether the Council had resources to put in place the harder actions, having already introduced easier fixes.  Mr Cook emphasised that, although there would be difficult choices to make and possibly up-front costs to manage, in many cases there were long term savings associated with sustainability. However there was no illusion about the element of challenge involved.  Mr Aikman added that a large proportion of Council spending was supported by funding from other partners and unless the authority could deliver on sustainability that funding was unlikely to continue.  Discussion continued about the importance of communicating to the public a positive vision to accompany choices made by the Council in terms of the climate change agenda, rather than decisions in spending simply being seen as cuts.  On being invited, by the Chairman, to contribute to the discussion, a member of the public reinforced the strong positive vision that the future could be better, not worse.  He welcomed the new committee and wished it well, emphasising the level of support there was in the community for climate change actions.  The Leader responded that any assistance to spread the message within the community and through Community Councils in particular would be welcome.

 

4.3       Councillor Aitchison thanked Mr Aikman for his presentation and led a discussion on the way forward.  It was noted that the SDG would continue to work on establishing the Council’s current position in respect of carbon footprint, set out targets and put in place an action plan accompanied by performance monitoring measures.  With reference to the presentations Councillor Aitchison emphasised that there was clear evidence of a climate emergency and that the Council must play its fullest part in responding to that emergency.  There was unanimous agreement that officers prepare a report to Council on the climate emergency as soon as possible.

 

DECISION

 

(a)        NOTED the presentation ‘Climate Action – Playing #OurPart’ as attached to this Minute.

 

(b)       AGREED to recommend to Council that Council considers a report on the climate emergency as soon as possible.

 

Supporting documents:

 

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