Published 12 November 2021
West Dunbartonshire Council has set out its plan to achieve its ambitious target of being net zero by 2045.
The Climate Change Action Plan was created in response to Scotland’s Climate Emergency and will implement the Council’s Climate Change Strategy.
It details a number of different short and longer-term steps the Council will take to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Actions include looking at how to reduce energy usage and water consumption across the Council’s estate; a review of food waste and miles in Council buildings and schools; the phasing out of single-use plastics; expanding electric vehicle charging points throughout the area where feasible; reduced vehicle emissions and ensuring all schools achieve eco-school green flag status.
The actions seek to build on national and regional level plans to tackle climate change.
As part of implementing and delivering the action plan, a range of engagement will be undertaken to understand and discuss environmental challenges with communities, employees, businesses and any other appropriate stakeholder.
The council has already taken steps reduce its emissions, with a reduction of 28.3% having been achieved since 2012-13.
It is also leading the way with low-carbon heat thanks to the pioneering district heating network situated at the West Dunbartonshire Energy Centre in Queens Quay.
The system, the first of its kind in the UK, works by extracting water from the River Clyde to heat homes and public buildings.
The technology, as well as the steps the Council is taking to net zero, was showcased to delegates and the wider public at the COP26 Green Zone this week.
Councillor Iain McLaren, Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “We recognise that immediate action must be taken to reduce the impacts of climate change. Following on from the introduction of our Climate Change Strategy, this plan identifies specific steps our organisation will take to play our part in tackling this global challenge. This action plan has looked at the way every service in the Council operates and considered what is required to make the activities we undertake on behalf of the area more environmentally friendly.”
Councillor Diane Docherty, Vice Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, added: “These actions transform the way our organisation works by integrating climate change mitigation, adaptation and sustainability measures into our operations and empowering our communities to take their own action to make change.”
To view the Climate Change Action Plan, please visit: https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/media/4320717/climate-change-action-plan.pdf