This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Pledge on climate change
16/01/2007
Scotland's local authorities are set to be amongst the first signatories to a new Declaration on Climate Change, it was announced today.
As part of the programme to reduce Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions, the Executive has been working with councils to develop a common declaration of intent on climate change to which local government and other stakeholders can commit.
Environment Minister Ross Finnie said:
"Scotland takes climate change seriously. An effective response to climate change cannot be achieved by central government alone. Scotland's communities will be in the front line in responding to the impacts of climate change and also have a role in reducing emissions of greenhouse gases that are contributing to climate change.
"Action at the local level, in support of wider climate change objectives, can lead to a better quality of life for people living and working in different parts of Scotland.
"I am therefore delighted that all of Scotland's local authorities have expressed a commitment to sign Scotland's Climate Change Declaration and to support delivery of Scotland's Climate Change Programme
"The universal commitment from local government to work with us in addressing climate change is further evidence of the lead Scotland is taking in responding to the climate change challenge."
Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform Tom McCabe said:
"As part of our public service reform agenda local authorities are considering new ways to ensure vital public services are efficient, effective and equipped to deal with current and future challenges. Climate change is one of our biggest challenges and must be a key consideration in the reform process.
"Every organisation in Scotland has a role to play in helping to protect our environment. By signing this declaration local authorities will lead by example and ensure both a greener and more efficient delivery of vital public services for taxpayers."
Councillor Alison Hay, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) Environment, Sustainability and Community Safety spokesperson said:
"I am proud that Scottish local government has united to make this commitment to tackle climate change. I am also delighted that this commitment by councils is being supported whole heartedly by Scottish Ministers.
"This proves it truly is Scotland's Climate Change Declaration.
"Scotland's Climate Change Declaration is a powerful statement of how local collaboration can make a difference nationally. It symbolises the common objective of local and national government to reduce Scotland's share of greenhouse gas emissions.
"This Declaration was developed by local government and the Executive, but I hope that in taking the lead local government will give confidence to others in Scotland that they too can make a similar commitment.
"Declarations have to be matched by action, and we are well aware of the magnitude of the challenge. That is why the unanimous support of local government should be applauded. Councils have signed up in full knowledge of the effort required to meet the commitments in the Declaration. However with the support of the Executive, I feel that this will be seen in future as a major step forward in Scotland's fight against climate change."
John Stocks, Manager for The Carbon Trust in Scotland added:
"Local Authorities are well positioned to lead from the front, by showing how their carbon footprints can be reduced. In the last three years, we have worked closely with most of Scotland's 32 councils and have so far developed carbon management plans with ten of them. Today's Declaration represents great progress and we look forward to continuing to work closely with our public sector partners to help deliver on our shared commitments."
Included in the Declaration are commitments to prepare and publicly declare a plan, with targets and time-scales, to achieve a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from local authority operations including energy use, transport and waste; and to publish an annual statement on progress in addressing climate change.
Background:
Scotland's Climate Change Programme (SCCP) Changing Our Ways was published by the Executive in March 2006. This recognises that climate change is one of the most serious threats facing the world today. The Programme sets a framework which aims to deliver carbon savings through the setting of Scotland's first carbon target, and to reduce Scotland's vulnerability to climate change. The SCCP is one of the main delivery programmes for Choosing our Future: Scotland's Sustainable Development Strategy.
Scotland's Climate Change Programme also recognises that local government is Scotland's largest public sector employer and, as such, has the potential to play a key role in tackling climate change through both its own activities and its influence on the wider community. Development of Scotland's Climate Change Declaration and support mechanism, initially aimed at Scottish local authorities, is a commitment in the SCCP and supports a longer term commitment to develop a climate change programme for local government in Scotland.
An Executive sponsored study on "A Survey of Local Authority Activity on Climate Change" was published in 2005.
Scotland's Climate Change Declaration has been developed by: The Scottish Executive; the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA); the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) - Scotland; the Improvement Service; the Sustainable Scotland Network (chair); the Energy Saving Trust; the Carbon Trust; the Local Energy Support Programme; the UK Climate Impacts Programme; and the Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER). East Dunbartonshire Council and Aberdeen City Council have participated in the Development Group as representatives of the Sustainable Scotland Network Steering Group. The Improvement and Development Agency has also been supporting the initiative.
These organisations are committed to working together to develop a co-ordinated and improved programme of support on climate change for Scottish local authorities.
Scotland's Climate Change Declaration has secured the support of all of Scotland's 32 local authorities. Across the country, local authorities have organised local signing events to promote their commitment to the Declaration. Approximately 18 local authorities are due to sign the Declaration locally on the 16th January 2007, with the others due to follow within the next few weeks.