Renfrewshire residents and businesses are being urged to play their part in the fight against climate change as the local authority unveils its plan to become net zero.
Renfrewshire Council has launched the first phase of its plan to have zero emissions by 2030 as it pleads with locals to do their bit.
Bosses this week revealed that transport, together with commercial and residential buildings account for 92 per cent of carbon emissions in the area.
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The council itself contributes 2.5 per cent to total emissions.
But it is well on its way to making drastic changes.
Its plan, published yesterday, shows efforts will be made across five key themes including clean energy, sustainable transport, circular economy, connected communities and resilient place.
As an organisation, the council will undertake a strategic review of all council-owned buildings to ensure they are energy-efficient, remove the need for petrol or diesel vehicles in the Council’s fleet by 2030 and identify how it can store more carbon on council land.
But it will also work with local people and businesses to help them cut their carbon emissions.
It aims to work corroboratively with local communities through regular meetings of the Renfrewshire Climate Panel, as well as surveying local businesses to identify how to make immediate and future change possible for the business sector.
It will also explore options for public bike share and electric vehicle car club schemes, create a one-stop information service in partnership with local organisations, and work with education providers to ensure courses and training are available to allow access to the sustainable jobs which will be created in the coming years.
Councillor Jim Paterson, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Planning and Climate Change Policy Board, said: “The work this plan sets out will ensure our future plans achieve maximum impact and create opportunities for a greener, fairer and sustainable way of life for all our residents, communities and businesses.
“By working with local businesses and communities, we can identify and understand barriers to change so we can help find solutions to support the significant changes that are needed to protect our environment right now and for future generations.”
He added: “As a council, we are a low contributor to the overall emissions output, but we want to lead by example by considering climate change in every decision we take as we strive towards becoming a net zero organisation.
“We all have a part to play - from large scale businesses to each individual, and I strongly encourage everyone to engage with us, seek the support you need and reduce your emissions wherever possible, and this council will do all it can to reach our ambitious net zero target by 2030.”
Renfrewshire Council has already put in place is £1million Climate Change Action Fund which has so far supported 14 innovative projects and initiatives being developed by council services in response to the climate emergency.
These include electric vehicles for the council fleet, town centre climate resilience research, net zero grants for businesses, and feasibility studies into peatland restoration.
For more information on how Renfrewshire is tackling climate change visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/climatechange.
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