SAT - Allover - Chris Morphet
Tuesday 3 December 2024
 0.9°C   NW Light Breeze
Ocean Kinetics - The Engineering Experts
GR Direct - Winter Sale 2024

Climate / Council to revise carbon plan targets

Wir hame is on fire: Climate strike rally in Lerwick in September 2019. Photo: Peter Johnson/Shetland News

SHETLAND Islands Council (SIC) is set to revise the targets of its carbon management plan amid growing pressure to declare a climate emergency.

A statement by SIC chief executive Maggie Sandison followed criticism by environmental group Eco Youth Shetland that the council had “kicked the issue into the long grass” by seeking a plan of action before declaring a climate emergency.

On Friday an estimated 200 people turned out to the Market Cross in Lerwick to campaign for greater action on climate issues as part of a global ‘strike’, while there was a local emphasis on pressing the SIC to declare a climate emergency.

By the end of July more than half of UK councils had pledged to cut carbon emissions by declaring a climate emergency – creating one of the fastest growing environmental movements yet.

But Sandison said that such a move was an “empty statement” without first formulating a plan to cut emissions. The executive, she added, would table revised plans before councillors later this autumn.

She said: “The council aims to reduce our carbon footprint over a number of years, through our carbon management plan. With the Scottish Government’s decision to achieve net zero by 2045, we will revise our plans and targets and will present these to councillors in the November committee cycle.

“I am delighted to see the increasing community interest and understanding of climate change and the priority that is being placed on it by Scottish Government in their Programme for Government.

“The council has heard and understood the desire of Eco Youth Shetland for the council to declare a climate emergency. When we met with them at the school strike, we explained that declaring an emergency without any plan to tackle it is really an empty statement.

“Whilst the statement raises awareness it doesn’t make any tangible changes to policy, practice or carbon emissions. Any declaration should come with an action plan with targets so that there is accountability for change.”

Become a member of Shetland News

 

Sandison said the council had asked young people to work with the local authority and the Shetland Partnership to stage an event to “develop individual, organisational and community response to climate change. The aim of this would be to produce a community action plan with targets, to demonstrate that change is being delivered”.

She added that the council “does not hold all of the levers” to manage Shetland’s carbon footprint.

“There are important choices that each individual and organisation needs to make about what they buy and how they buy goods, reducing waste and recycling more, their use of clean energy and water, switching off appliances, active travel, car ownership and use of public transport,” said Sandison.

Become a member of Shetland News

Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.

 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 

Newsletters

Subscribe to a selection of different newsletters from Shetland News, varying from breaking news delivered on the minute, to a weekly round-up of the opinion posts. All delivered straight to your inbox.

Daily Briefing Newsletter Weekly Highlights Newsletter Opinion Newsletter Life in Shetland Newsletter

JavaScript Required

We're sorry, but Shetland News isn't fully functional without JavaScript enabled.
Head over to the help page for instructions on how to enable JavaScript on your browser.

Your Privacy

We use cookies on our site to improve your experience.
By using our service, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

Browser is out-of-date

Shetland News isn't fully functional with this version of .
Head over to the help page for instructions on updating your browser for more security, improved speed and the best overall experience on this site.

Interested in Notifications?

Get notifications from Shetland News for important and breaking news.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Have you considered becoming a member of Shetland News?

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please consider paying for membership and get the following features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.