Step change required in Council performance - Councillor

       

Aberdeenshire Council set itself bold targets on climate change in the wake of a report from its Scrutiny & Audit Committee in 2007. However, the Council's own data show there was an increase of over 3 per cent in its carbon dioxide emissions during 2009/10. This followed a small drop of half a per cent in 2008/09.

        

The Council's performance and proposals for improving it were discussed at a meeting of its Sustainability Sub-Committee on Monday (1 November).

      

Commenting, Cllr Martin Ford said: "To achieve a cut in emissions in line with national targets, the Council needs to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by around 3 per cent per year. To meet its own targets, the reduction would need to be significantly more. Clearly, the Council is nowhere near achieving the reductions it is going to have to make.

      

"The figures for last year have to be interpreted with caution. Some of the increase will have been caused by the hard winter. Some of the increase is attributable to more accurate data on fuel use - the figures in previous years probably underestimated this. It may be that the true increase in emissions was closer to 2 per cent. What is not in doubt is that there was a significant increase despite considerable effort being made to bring about a reduction.

      

"The bulk of the Council's carbon dioxide emissions arise from the operation of its buildings and relate to energy used for heating, lighting and electrical equipment. To meet emissions reduction targets, the Council will have to both improve energy efficiency and switch to renewable sources of heat and power.

      

"Cutting the Council's greenhouse gas emisssions by 3 per cent per year is undoubtedly possible. The measures required are not difficult to identify. But reducing emissions will require the Council to make changes and that will require commitment from councillors - something that has been sadly lacking amongst the Council's leadership.

      

"Cutting emissions means cutting energy use - and that is also a financial saving. As the Council's budget is cut, that is another very good reason to prioritise energy saving measures and investment in renewable energy generation. Taking steps to reduce fossil fuel use now will help the Council protect services and the environment for years to come."

     

Councillor Martin Ford is an independent councillor and a member of the Scottish Green Party. He represents the East Garioch ward. He will be the Green Party's lead candidate for North-East Scotland in next year's Scottish Parliament election.