An initiative to dramatically reduce carbon emissions in Inverness and the Highlands by 2025 is being proposed by The Highland Council’s Leadership.
A report to be considered by the Council at its meeting on Thursday (27 June) asks the Council to sign up to a long term commitment to create a Carbon Neutral Inverness in a Low Carbon Highlands; branded as a Carbon CLEVER Highlands by 2025.
While other cities across Europe have adopted similar initiatives, they tend to have an almost entirely city-based focus. The fortunes of Inverness and the Highlands are so inextricably linked, that the Leadership’s approach is to adopt a joint target, where the objective for one will reinforce that of the other.
The report states: “The Council is in a good position to lead on such a project. It has excellent working relationships with a number of key stakeholders and potential partners, regularly engages with the community, plays a key role in planning decisions and the development of the region, and can demonstrate good progress in reducing its own carbon emissions over the past seven years. The Council is currently seeking re-accreditation from the Carbon Trust in recognition of its success so far as well as the programme of action and investment to reduce our emissions by a further 21% by 2020.”
At its meeting on Thursday 27 June, the Council will consider committing resources in its 10-year capital programme towards the Carbon CLEVER initiative.
Other early actions recommended include:
Running a series of workshops across Council services to develop the scope and approach to the project;
Identifying and approaching stakeholders.
Identifying early and visible projects and actions to reduce carbon emissions;
Planning a Carbon CLEVER conference for early autumn 2013 to encourage stakeholders to sign up to a Carbon CLEVER commitment for the Highlands;
Defining the scope and base-line for the project; and
Identifying the range of external funding opportunities.
The report says that to create a Carbon Neutral Inverness in a Low Carbon Highlands requires:
A clear project definition and scope;
Learning from experience elsewhere;
Deliberative and well managed processes involving many stakeholders and engagement with the general public;
Credibility and integrity with the data to use to assess the base-line position and to set targets and monitor progress against them.
It adds: “Achieving zero carbon is about balancing emissions to get to zero overall effect, however, it could be misinterpreted as meaning no greenhouse gases were emitted from anywhere within the city boundary. Therefore to gain greatest buy in from the public we will use the term “Carbon Nuetral” achieving carbon neutral status would mean a net greenhouse gas emissions balance of zero or less, with any residual greenhouse gas emissions being offset by sinks of emissions such as the export of renewable energy or through woodland planting.
“Achieving carbon neutral status will not be easy but is realistic. We are recognising the challenges presented from fuel choice limitations and the large distances to travel in the region; while acknowledging the opportunities in the region from our natural environment and the scope to export renewable energy.”
“Whilst a carbon emissions target is not set against the whole of the Highlands at this stage, the success of Inverness in becoming carbon neutral is inextricably linked to the Highlands. Per capita CO2 emissions have reduced in the Highland region from 11.3 to 10.3 tonnes (2005-2010; DECC, 2012). This progress should be built upon, and the following six key themes focused upon to develop a Carbon CLEVER Highlands:
Carbon emission reduction
Lead by Example
Engagement with others
Value for money
Economic benefits
Raise awareness and promote behaviour change.”