Highland Council to discuss ‘next steps’ in climate change actions
HIGHLAND councillors will attend a climate change seminar next week.
The event on Monday is among "four key actions" being taken by the local authority following its declaration of a climate and ecological emergency last month.
The situation will be discussed further at a full council meeting on Thursday.
The seminar is designed to provide councillors with a detailed overview of the council’s emissions reduction progress; the work being undertaken; and highlight some of the key challenges which will need to be addressed to achieve the council’s climate change commitments.
They will also be told about a "climate change adaptation workshop for community planning partners" held last week.
Councillors will also be told of intentions to form a cross-party climate change panel which will scrutinise climate change efforts across the council. It will have a key role in the development of a Highland residents’ survey on where the council’s key areas of focus should be, and how the council can best work with communities in tackling climate change.
Once established it is proposed that the panel will review the council’s programme and corporate plan – the fourth key action.
Council leader Margaret Davidson said: “I am looking forward to cross-party discussion next week on the council’s climate change actions on what the next steps will be for the council in reducing our corporate carbon footprint.
“The council through, its change programme, is already working on staff travel, waste management and energy and renewables projects with a number of significant projects to follow which will support the aims of our climate and ecological emergency declaration.”
