Climate / Land sales boost SIC’s emissions reduction figure
SHETLAND Islands Council’s (SIC) annual greenhouse gas emissions have reduced further – but the local authority narrowly missed out on its target for 2024/25.
An update report presented to councillors last week showed how greenhouse emissions reduced by 2,836 tonnes between 2023/24 and 2024/25.
This represents an 11 per cent reduction from the SIC’s 2019/20 baseline figure.
It has just fallen short of a 11.7 per cent emissions reduction target for 2024/25.
Councillors on the SIC’s environment and transport committee heard last week that land was included in emissions data for the first time.
Figures show that land – essentially degraded peatland – accounted for just under half of the emissions in 2024/25.
However there has been a “significant” emissions reduction of 10,569 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) since the baseline year of 2019/20, mainly through the SIC selling land with degraded peatland.
A covering report said that “it is important to note that selling land has not removed these emissions – it has just transferred them out of council responsibility”.
Without the land sales then the SIC would have an emissions reduction of just 7.2 per cent in 2024/25.
Emissions reductions targets for buildings, transport and infrastructure were not met.
The report added that climate action can deliver economic savings in the long term, “but in the short to medium term we need greater investment, both financial and as committed resource, to make the change required to reach our goals”.
“This is a challenge as across local government, budgets are stretched and finances available for delivering council services are further constrained,” it continued.
“Whilst much of climate action can deliver economic savings in the longer term, as efficiencies and/or reductions tend to be outcomes, initial investment is required to make the changes needed.”
During last week’s meeting climate change strategy team leader Claire Ferguson said once Shetland is connected to the UK grid and Lerwick Power Station goes into standby mode – which is expected in late 2026 – emissions from the SIC’s housing stock should significantly decrease.
Meanwhile development committee chairman Dennis Leask said he was surprised to see the SIC selling off so much land, particularly if it contained degraded peatland.
Infrastructure director John Smith said predominately it is crofting related, where tenants are exercising a right to buy.
Meanwhile Shetland Partnership’s new climate strategy has also gone in front of councillors.
Among the document’s aims is to accelerate climate action, increase collaboration and efficiencies as well as reduce duplication of effort and stimulate investment.
It is separate Shetland Islands Council’s strategy which was approved by elected members in 2023.
The Shetland Partnership brings together a host of organisations like the SIC, NHS Shetland and Shetland Amenity Trust as well as VisitScotland and NatureScot.
However speaking at a meeting of the SIC’s policy and resources committee on Monday, depute leader Gary Robinson called science to be brought into the thinking more instead of “political will or commercial interests”.
He quoted reports about the viability of carbon capture and storage, and electrification of offshore assets, while Robinson also brought up the “old chestnut about heat pumps versus hydrogen for heat”.
Robinson sought assurance science was being followed and “not just the latest thing that’s in trend”.
Ferguson said the strategy is about following science as well as what will bring the most social and economic benefits and value to Shetland and the community.
Environment and transport chair Moraig Lyall said the dialogue around climate change at a national level is “definitely changing”, both in terms of timescales and actions.
But she said in the meantime Shetland has to work towards Scotland’s target of being net zero by 2045.
The two reports sandwiched the SIC’s fourth climate festival, which took place in Lerwick on Saturday.
Climate festival highlights community action and energy advice
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